Results 5,221-5,240 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together. As the House will be aware, I had the honour of accompanying President McAleese on her official visit to Lebanon during the period 14 to 16 October 2011. On 15 October 2011, together with President McAleese, I had the pleasure of visiting Camp Shamrock the headquarters of the 104th Irish Infantry Battalion and meeting with members of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: Comprehensive provisions in the area of law referred to by the Deputy are already contained in the Defamation Act 2009. I have no proposals for change in this area.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: 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 An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, following the publication of the report of the Moriarty Tribunal, a Revenue official was appointed to examine its contents. The officer has examined the Report and there are a number of matters which have been progressed and others which are still under consideration. The Tribunal recommended that the independence of the Revenue Commissioners...

Written Answers — Ministerial Orders: Ministerial Orders (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: Sections 35 to 41 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 (in relation to amendment of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009) commenced on the date of its passing i.e. 2 August 2011.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The definition of charitable organisation in the Charities Act 2009 defines charitable organisation for the purposes of that Act alone, as does the definition in the Valuation Act 2001. I am not aware of any practical difficulties that may have arisen as a consequence of the slightly different wording, but this is a matter I would be prepared to consider, in consultation with the relevant...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that as the Legal Aid Board is a statutory, independent body in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995. Any decision to grant or refuse legal aid is a matter for the Board. Furthermore, the solicitor/client relationship is protected by privilege in accordance with the terms of section 32 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and therefore the Board does not...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that offences relating to not having valid road fund tax for a vehicle being operated in a public place are dealt with by members of An Garda Síochána primarily by way of issuing a fixed charge notice for the offence of failing to display a current vehicle licence, contrary to sections 73(1) and 76 (as amended by section 63 of the Finance Act 1993) of...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: Under the law as it stands the giving of false evidence in any court proceedings, including family law proceedings, is an offence punishable by imprisonment. While I have no specific proposals for reform at present, I will keep the operation of the law in family cases under review.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a number of provisions aimed at reducing the risk to the public from convicted sex offenders. These include a notification system, also known as the sex offenders' register. The Act requires convicted sex offenders to notify the Garda Síochána of their name and home address within 7 days of becoming subject to the notification requirement. Thereafter,...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that as Minister I have no function in the appointment of Commissioners for Oaths which is entirely a matter for the Chief Justice to whom an application for such an appointment is made. However, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Courts Service website www.courts.ie which contains an Information Note and other documentation relating to such appointments.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: 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 An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that during the Halloween period appropriate policing measures are put in place in every Garda Division and District through Operation Tombola. Operational orders are prepared in every Garda Region, in particular in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and Border Divisions, to prevent and detect the organised importation for sale of fireworks and police the...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: There is no question of An Garda Síochána offering a "free pass" to persons engaged in petty crime. If the Deputy is referring to the Garda Adult Cautioning Scheme, I should explain that the Scheme, which was commenced on 1 February, 2006, enables the processing of what is considered to be a minor offence committed by a person, over 18 years of age, with no previous convictions who admits...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together. As part of the Road Safety Strategy 2007 - 2012 and the strategic goals of An Garda Síochána, a targeted approach to speed enforcement is undertaken in order to significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and serious injuries and improve road safety. As part of this approach, in November, 2009 a contract was concluded for the...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that under the Civil Legal Act 1995, as passed by the Oireachtas, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the operation of its functions and any decision to grant or refuse legal aid is a matter for the Board. At the outset, I wish to clarify for the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board provides 'legal aid' and not 'free legal aid'. The vast majority of persons receiving...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 129 on 6 October, 2011. The position remains as stated. I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in November, 2009. The application is currently being processed...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: The number of persons who were recruited into the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011 is as follows: Army Naval Service Air Corps Total 2007 478 87 0 565 2008 441 66 0 507 2009 0 0 0 0 2010 77 38 0 115 2011 (to date) 215 35 40 290 Recruitment to the Permanent Defence Force was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: At present there are 49 overholders living in Defence Forces married quarters at various locations. Personnel are obliged, under Defence Force Regulations, to vacate married quarters within a specified period of being discharged from the Permanent Defence Force. The securing of alternative housing is a matter for the individuals concerned in the first instance. If personnel are not in a...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (26 Oct 2011)

Alan Shatter: In the current economic situation, the acquisition of defensive equipment takes place on a strictly prioritised basis to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out their roles at home and overseas. A particular focus is maintained on ensuring that modern and effective equipment is available for overseas peace support operations as is the case with the UNIFIL deployment in Lebanon....