Results 5,221-5,240 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in August 2007. Officials in that section are processing applications received in mid-2005 and have approximately 14,200 applications on hand to be dealt with before that of the person concerned. These are generally dealt with in...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The State does not take a benign view of the possession of cannabis for personal use. This is borne out by the large number of successful prosecutions annually for simple possession of controlled drugs and by the significant seizures of cannabis made by the Garda authorities, €11.72 million (provisional figures) so far this year. Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 provides that...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand from the Garda authorities that as of 29 February 2008, some 8,819 people had been given permission to remain in the State under stamp 4 conditions on the basis of marriage to an Irish Citizen. It is not possible to give a break down of this figure on a year-by-year basis. The permission is usually granted for periods of not longer than five years.

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 511 to 514, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provided by the Forensic Science Laboratory shows the quantities of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy seized for the years 2002 to 2007 within Mayo Garda Division: Drug 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 Heroin 3.8 grms — — — — 0.2 grms Cocaine 20 grms...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: All people with information regarding the commission of an offence are encouraged to provide this information to the Garda Síochána. To facilitate this, the Garda authorities have introduced policy and practices which reflect best international practice for the management and use of intelligence sources. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice and it would be contrary to...

Written Answers — Garda Retirement: Garda Retirement (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 518 together. I believe that the compulsory retirement age of 60 within the Garda Síochána is fully consistent with the law on equality and anti-discrimination. While I have no proposal to raise this age limit, a claim to have it extended to 63 for superintendents and chief superintendents has been lodged with the Garda Conciliation and Arbitration...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Further to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 18 December 2007, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the contract for the installation of a Garda CCTV system in Athlone was signed in January of this year. An Garda Síochána expects installation of the system to be completed later this year subject to planning permissions, wayleaves and any civil works required.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of Thursday 23 November 2006 and the written reply to that Question. The person concerned arrived in the State on 10 October 2003 and made an application for asylum. Her asylum application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal....

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 524 together. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that organised criminal gangs operating in this jurisdiction are being targeted on an ongoing basis and profiles of the personnel in such groups are continually updated. Their members, operating methods, criminal interests and financial assets are likewise proactively targeted and a Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is difficult to assess the number of those suspected of involvement in criminal activity living overseas particularly as there is free movement of persons within the European Union. Where information exists that a person, who is wanted in relation to a particular crime in this jurisdiction, is living abroad and where the particular legal requirements apply, surrender of the person from...

Written Answers — Witness Intimidation: Witness Intimidation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Provision already exists for the forwarding for trial in the Special Criminal Court (SCC) of persons accused of both scheduled and non-scheduled offences. In the case of scheduled offences which are also indictable offences, such persons shall be returned for trial to the SCC unless the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) otherwise directs. In the case of non-scheduled offences, such...

Written Answers — Court Accommodation: Court Accommodation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under the Courts Service Act, 1998, the Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which include the management of the courts, and provision, maintenance and management of court buildings. The responsibilities of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform include ensuring adequate funding for all parts of the criminal justice system, including the courts. In this...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The statistics as requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below. Date No. on Temporary Release 15 January 2008 186 14 December 2007 168 15 November 2007 240 15 October 2007 132 14 September 2007 114 15 August 2007 200 16 July 2007 189 15 June 2007 162 15 May 2007 131 16 April 2007 155 15 March 2007 140 15 February 2007 102 Figures from 15 January , 2008 indicate that...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that An Garda Siochana, in accordance with the priorities determined by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform pursuant to Section 20 of the Garda Siochana Act, 2005/07, is committed to targeting organised criminal groups engaged in serious crime and those who facilitate the activities of these groupings. The Garda Siochana Policing...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 529 and 531 together. Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As of 31 January 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division was 403. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers. It is the responsibility of the Garda...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that An Garda Síochána, (in accordance with the priorities determined by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform pursuant to Section 20 of the Garda Síochana Act, 2005/07) is committed to targeting organised criminal groups engaged in serious crime and those who facilitate the activities of these groupings. The Garda Siochana Policing...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have no responsibility in respect of the matter raised by the Deputy. The Road Safety Authority which comes under the aegis of the Department of Transport has responsibility for, inter alia, accident and road safety research.

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Irish Prison Service is currently inviting tenders for transport services within the environs of Limerick City and County areas and occasionally further afield, as the need may arise. The deadline for receipt of tenders is Tuesday 15th April 2008 and full details of the tender competition are advertised on the e-Tenders Public Procurement website: http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie In respect...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can inform the Deputy that my Department adopts a range of practical common sense measures to reduce energy use and encourages staff to avail of all opportunities to reduce wastage within its offices. I can also inform the Deputy that my Department is participating in the recently launched Office of Public Works programme entitled 'Optimising Power @ Work, Staff Energy Awareness Campaign'....