Results 5,761-5,780 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Cross-Border Projects (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I know that all Members of the House will join me in condemning all subversive groups and their activities. These groups may be called, as the Deputy refers to them, "dissident republicans", but such a label lends them an historical respectability they do not deserve. We should be clear that these people are no more than criminal terrorists using violence in pursuit of their own, sometimes...

Cross-Border Projects (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: There is very substantial co-operation and there have been joint operations involving the PSNI and Garda and Her Majesty's Revenue Services and the Revenue Commissioners. Those operations have been particularly successful in the context of dealing, not simply with subversion but with criminal gangs who have been engaged in fuel smuggling, drug trafficking and in bringing large amounts of...

Cross-Border Projects (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy may know there is already that type of co-operation between this State and the United Kingdom that has operated reasonably well and, in so far as we can put in place new measures in co-operation with Northern Ireland now that the area of justice has been devolved, we are continuing to explore those. I should say to the Deputy that in dealing with this area I also met last week...

Departmental Funding (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Under the recently published Infrastructure and Capital Investment programme 2012-2016, the justice sector allocation for 2012 is €56 million. This represents a 30% reduction on the current year's allocation of €80 million. While detailed planning for 2012 is in the process of being finalised, it is important that this allocation is utilised in such a manner as to drive the maximum...

Departmental Funding (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I agree that the governor of Mountjoy Prison, Mr. Whelan, has done an extraordinary job in a very short time. He has transformed the facility and put in place effective measures to reduce the amount of drugs and mobile telephones getting into the prison. He has made a very substantial difference and it is right that we acknowledge it. The Thornton Hall project is not dead. I greatly regret...

Departmental Funding (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I understand the capital funding for Garda stations, fortunately, comes from the OPW. If I am wrong in that I will notify the Deputy in writing of the correction. It is my understanding that there are some plans within the OPW, in accordance with the limited financial envelope available to it, to progress the project to which the Deputy referred. However, whether it will progress in 2012...

Judicial Appointments (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Under the Constitution, members of the Judiciary are appointed by the President on the advice of the Government. Applications for judicial appointments are dealt with by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, which was established pursuant to the Court and Courts Officers Act 1995. The board consists of the Chief Justice, the Presidents of the High Court, Circuit Court and District...

Judicial Appointments (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: It is unfortunate that there should be a perception in any circumstances that any form of political connection is required in order to be appointed to the Judiciary. In the case of every appointment made by this Government, the persons were appointed because of their legal expertise, their reputation as lawyers and in all but two of the appointments made, were appointments made on foot of a...

Fines Legislation (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: As I previously advised the House, the Fines Act 2010 is being commenced on a phased basis. This question is part of the Groundhog Day, I think. Does the Deputy wish me to move on and we will formally distribute the response and it might give us an opportunity to deal with a different issue?

Prison Service (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy it is not factually correct that work undertaken by prisoners in Irish prisons is unpaid. All prisoners are eligible for a daily gratuity whether or not they carry out prison work, which is not the case in many other countries, and prisoners in most prisons may earn additional gratuities by carrying out certain types of work. The current rate of the daily gratuity is...

Prison Service (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Yes.

Prison Service (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The moneys which prisoners receive go into a fund and it is available for them to use in prison if they wish by way of the tuck shop or other expenditure. It is also open to them to have it transmitted to family members if they wish. People are in prison for a particular reason. It is a privilege that in return for work done they receive some small additional benefit, if I could put it that...

Prison Service (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am giving consideration to the review that has been undertaken. In so far as there are changes to be made, they will be made appropriately. However, I do not envisage major changes and certainly not any changes that will result in any additional expense to taxpayers at a time when the funding available to the Government is extremely limited.

Prison Accommodation (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 29 and 43 together. The reply covers some of the ground we covered in an earlier question. As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the children detention schools under Part 10 of the Children Act 2001 will shortly transfer to my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Accordingly, both I and the Minister for Children and Youth...

Prison Accommodation (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: This is one of the issues in relation to the design of the prison. It is a matter for consideration by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the work she is doing. I will certainly bring to the Minister's attention the Deputy's concerns in that regard.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to advise the Deputy that an administrative building on the Dóchas Centre site has been converted into a new accommodation block which will provide an additional 70 spaces. It is expected that this block will be ready for occupation in early 2012. The opening of the new spaces at the Dóchas Centre will assist in alleviating the overcrowding issue. The ethos upon which the Dóchas...

Written Answers — Mental Illness in Prisons: Mental Illness in Prisons (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The prevalence of mental illness is significantly higher among prisoners compared to the general population and that the mental health problems suffered by prisoners range from mild to severe. There is a strong argument that persons with severe mental illnesses who are involved in minor offences should be diverted away from the criminal justice system and measures have been undertaken to...

Written Answers — National Women's Strategy: National Women's Strategy (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The National Women's Strategy 2007-2016 was published by the previous Government in 2007. The aims of the strategy are largely in line with the policies of the present Government. Its actions are being implemented by a wide range of Government Departments and Agencies. It goes without saying that the constraints of the public financial situation apply to some extent. This is a ten-year...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2010-2014, includes an action to promote and develop understanding and recognition of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across the State sector. Work in relation to relevant domestic and sexual violence training programmes for the justice sector, including An Garda Síochána, is being progressed by a committee led...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: A decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the court, which is, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of its judicial functions. There is a constitutional presumption in favour of bail, since, in the eyes of the law, a person is innocent until proven guilty. The provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights also restrict the...