Results 6,001-6,020 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána Inspectorate has carried out a review of the Garda arrangements for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of children and has submitted a report with recommendations. Subsequent to the publication of the report into the Diocese of Cloyne, the Inspectorate was requested to review its report in the light of the findings of the Cloyne report. It has completed that...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: In November, 2009 a contract was concluded for the provision of an outsourced safety camera network to An Garda Síochána, as excessive or inappropriate speeding is a major factor in road traffic collisions and fatalities. The objective of the safety camera network is to reduce the number of speed related collisions and so save lives and prevent serious injury, not to generate revenue. I am...

Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: An Expert Group, established under the auspices of my Department, is currently reviewing the Proceeds of Crime legislation with a view to identifying possible improvements which would serve to strengthen the operation of the Criminal Assets Bureau. The Expert Group is engaged in a comprehensive review of the operation of the legislation with particular regard to the experience of the Bureau...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Combating serious and organised crime continues to be a key priority of the European Union in the development of an area of freedom, security and justice. The Stockholm Programme – An Open and Secure Europe Serving and Protecting Citizens, is the key strategic document setting out guidelines for legislative and operational planning within the area of freedom, security and justice for the...

Written Answers — Drug Trafficking: Drug Trafficking (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, Narcotics (MAOC(N)) was established pursuant to an international agreement concluded on 30 September 2007 between Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom. The purpose of the Centre, which is based in Lisbon, is to facilitate cooperation in the suppression of illicit drug trafficking across the Atlantic...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The construction of a new forensic science laboratory was to be funded from the Vote of the Office of Public Works. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the appalling financial legacy inherited from the previous Government has placed significant restrictions on available funding. The demands on the capital envelope available to the Office of Public Works have required them to prioritise urgent...

Written Answers — White Paper on Crime: White Paper on Crime (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that work on the development of a White Paper on Crime is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed in 2012.

Written Answers — Criminal Law Reform: Criminal Law Reform (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Criminal Law Reform Division comprises 20 staff consisting of 1 Assistant Secretary General, 6 Principal Officers, 9 Assistant Principal Officers, 1 Administrative Officer, 1 Higher Executive Officer and 2 Clerical Officers. The primary focus of the Division is the completion to the greatest extent possible of the programme of criminal law reform contained in the Government's legislative...

Written Answers — Victims Charter: Victims Charter (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The present version of the Victims Charter was published in July 2010. I want to see the Victims Charter implemented in full by all bodies covered by the Charter so that the experience of the victim of crime when engaging with the criminal justice system is improved. A key prerequisite for implementing the Charter is that the public in general and victims in particular are aware of their...

Written Answers — Mental Health Review Board: Mental Health Review Board (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board was established on 27th September 2006. The Board held it first review into the detention of a patient in the Central Mental Hospital on 14th December 2006. The Board is required to ensure that the detention of a patient is reviewed at intervals of such length not being more than 6 months as it considers appropriate...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The functions and powers of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a Committee in each local authority area. The Act provides that JPCs operate under guidelines issued by the Minister for Justice and Equality after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The current guidelines were issued...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Criminal Justice Act 2006 sets out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. For adults they provide for a behaviour warning and a civil order. For children, they range from a behaviour warning from a member of An Garda Síochána, to a good behaviour contract involving the child and his or her parents or guardian, to referral to the Garda...

Written Answers — Control of Firearms: Control of Firearms (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Under the Firearms Acts, and associated regulations, handguns are currently classified as either 'Restricted' or 'Non-Restricted'. 'Restricted' Handguns are defined as all of those above .22" calibre and also includes those of 0.22" calibre which hold more than five rounds. I understand that the total number of Restricted Firearm Certificates issued for Restricted Handguns since 1st August...

Written Answers — Control of Firearms: Control of Firearms (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that I signed the necessary Regulations, the Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Shooting Ranges) Regulations 2011, into law on 30 November, 2011. My Department's Firearms Ranges Inspector has been working collaboratively with the range owners throughout the country and expects to be in a position to certify some ranges before the end of the year.

Written Answers — Control of Firearms: Control of Firearms (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The following table shows the number of firearms recorded as stolen on PULSE for each year from 2007 - 2011 (valid to 12th December 2011). Year Number stolen 2011 205 2010 249 2009 350 2008 298 2007 349 Figures provided are operational and liable to change.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I attach the highest priority to the full investigation of white collar crime and bringing the perpetrators of such crime to justice. I have already expressed my unhappiness at the protracted nature of the investigations underway. This is not a criticism of the investigators and prosecutors, who face tough challenges as a result of the complexities of the matters being investigated. At the...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Criminal Justice Act 2011 was enacted on 2 August. The Act is an important step in delivering on the Government's commitment to tackle white collar crime. Its main purpose is to address delays in the prosecution and investigation of complex white collar crime by improving certain important procedural matters and strengthening Garda investigative powers. The Act's provisions are based...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together. I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not, as a matter of policy, incur expenditure of this nature. However, expenditure does arise from time to time on public information notices such as, for example, the dangers of fireworks, illegal drug dealing or the bringing into force of new legislation and other statutory notices.

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position as Minister for Justice and Equality to give legal advice in relation to the functions and responsibilities of liquidators under the Companies Acts. However, I can indicate the following by way of general information in relation to the functions of owners' management companies. One of the principal objectives of the Multi-Unit...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the incident referred to by the Deputy. The incident was the subject of a Garda investigation which found no evidence to suggest there were any suspicious circumstances. The person referred to was so informed.