Results 7,061-7,080 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is participating in the inter-Departmental process, co-ordinated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with a view to reducing by 25% the administrative burden placed on businesses by Government. It is envisaged that the identification, prioritisation and measurement process should be completed by all Departments by the end of 2009....

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in July 2007. The Citizenship Division is currently commencing further processing of applications received in mid 2007. The average processing time from application to decision is currently 23 months. More complicated cases can at...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that they have recently been in contact with the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to their immigration status. Further documentation has been requested from the person concerned in order to facilitate the Immigration Division in examining their case.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in June 2008. I have requested Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department to expedite the application and I have been informed that the file will be submitted to me for a decision in due course.

Written Answers — Public Service Vehicle Licences: Public Service Vehicle Licences (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of public service vehicle licences for Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford which have been approved and the number which are being processed for 2007 and 2008 are set out in the following tables: Galway Licences issued Applications on hand 2007 378 Nil 2008 401 45 Cork Licences issued Applications on hand 2007 712 Nil 2008 700...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics in relation to the number of drug driving prosecutions sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible, without the disproportionate expenditure of Garda resources, to provide the statistics requested in relation to the number of collisions investigated by the Traffic Corps. I am also informed that the collection, analysis and dissemination of statistics in respect of road collisions generally is the statutory responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that in the timeframe available it has not been possible for them to supply the specific details requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Expenditure €m 2003 37.353 2004 34.140 2005 40.208 2006 42.093 2007 46.365 Jan to Nov 2008 (provisional) 48.858 The courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant for legal aid must establish to the satisfaction of the court that his/her means are...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The incident referred to relates to a matter which remains under Garda investigation and it would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time. However, it is open to the person in question to make a complaint to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, 150 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1. The Commission is independent in the exercise of its functions. A complaint may...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The issue to which the Deputy refers has never been brought to my attention as an operational difficulty. The Deputy should be aware that the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has never been empowered directly to take disciplinary action against a member of the Garda Siochana — it is empowered to recommend disciplinary action to the Garda Commissioner. Under section 26 of the Garda...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made an application for Family Reunification in September 2006 on behalf of his wife and son. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act, 1996. This investigation has been completed and the Commissioner has...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the current waiting time for the processing of applications for family reunification is approximately 24 months.The total number of applications on hands is 1998. The Family Reunification Unit of the INIS received 734 new applications in 2007, while a further 672 new applications were received up to...

Written Answers — Passport Forgeries: Passport Forgeries (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Records on PULSE indicated that there were 214 passports recorded as seized in 2006, with 132 Passports seized in 2007 and to date (10th December, 2008), there have are 194 Passports recorded as seized. The majority of these seizures (53 (25%) in 2006, 36 (27%) in 2007 and 58 (30%) in 2008) are recorded at Dublin Airport and Pearse Street Station. The offices of the Garda National Immigration...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that the following information is additional to that contained in my reply to PQ Number 207 of 18 June, 2008: Title of Legislation Why No RIA Prepared European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (SI No. 310 of 2008) July 2008 Regulations were required as a direct result of a ruling from the European Court of Justice(in the Metock...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that the following information is additional to that contained in my reply to PQ No. 792 of 17 June, 2008. Title of Legislation Garda Síochána (Ranks) Regulations 2008 ( SI 192 of 2008) Criminal Justice (Public Order) (Amendment) Bill 2009 Criminal Procedure Bill 2009

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Visa applications from persons resident in Cuba are lodged at the Embassy of Ireland, Mexico, which handles diplomatic representation for Cuba. The person referred to is a Cuban national and, as such, is visa-required. Regarding permanent residency, the position is that marriage to an Irish national does not confer either (i) automatic entitlement to residence in the State or (ii) exemption...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that they have recently been in contact with the person referred to by the Deputy in relation to their immigration status. Further documentation has been requested from the person concerned in order to facilitate the Immigration Division in examining their case.

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy has asked for my views on the issue of employment rights for people with learning disabilities and the current exam testing process employed by the Civil Service Commission. I understand that the majority of the issues raised in the correspondence referred to have already been addressed by my colleague, the Minister for Finance. Accordingly, I will address the area for which I have...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts 2005 to 2007, proposals to alter the boundaries of a divisional geographical area are a matter in the first instance for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plan. The Garda Síochána's 2008 Policing Plan, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, contains the Commissioner's proposals to realign...