Results 7,261-7,280 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the firing range in Garda Headquarters was closed in December 2005 on a precautionary basis due to possible health and safety issues. There has been considerable investment in training facilities over the past two years including the provision of two Prefabricated Modular Firearms ranges at the Garda College and in the Dublin Metropolitan region....

Written Answers — Criminal Offences: Criminal Offences (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which came into affect in May 2007, makes it an offence for a prisoner to have unauthorised possession of or use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalty for such an offence, on summary conviction, is a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 204 together. Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act relating to anti-social behaviour by children was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I informed the House previously that I received an interim report from the Garda Commissioner on a particular case involving a convicted drug dealer. An internal Garda inquiry is ongoing into the matter at present. The House will also be aware that I agreed to a request from the Garda Commissioner that the interim report provided to me should be forwarded to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that difficulties regarding reduced availability of personnel resulted in the dispatch function of the Communications Centre for certain Divisions in the Dublin Metropolitan Region being handed over to various Garda stations. This was brought to the attention of Garda management and steps have been taken to increase the number of personnel assigned to...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I must emphasise that I attach the highest priority to tackling organised and gun crime and bringing those involved in such activities to justice. One of the main priorities I have set for An Garda Síochána in 2009 is to target gun crime, organised crime and drug related crime through a range of measures, including the use of the Garda specialist units and targeted operations such as...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 55 together. The Garda Commissioner's Annual Policing Plan sets out strategic goals inter alia a commitment to significantly reduce the impact of crime and criminal behaviour. These goals are backed up by strategic actions which include a commitment to continue and intensify intelligence-led operations against groups and individuals engaged in the...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is the responsibility of the commercial consortium, under the PPP process, to arrange the funding and other resources to deliver the project and to have them in place when the contract is signed. It is not appropriate, for commercial and procurement reasons, for me to comment on the specific financial funding aspects of the PPP contract negotiations which are currently in progress. Since...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 315 which was put down for answer on Wednesday 17 December 2008. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: On 30th November 2008, there were 331 attested Reserve Gardaí and 114 Reserve trainees. The 331 attested members currently operational are assigned to the following stations: Dublin Metropolitan Region Pearse St, Kevin Street, Kilmainham, Donnybrook, Store St, Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Street, Clondalkin, Finglas, Lucan, Ballyfermot, Blanchardstown, Ronanstown, Santry, Raheny, Swords, Clontarf,...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my responses to Questions Nos. 2 and 18 of today, 18 December 2008. I have nothing further to add to the details of those replies.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Garda personnel assigned to the Garda Protection Unit is determined by operational rather than financial considerations. The 3% payroll reduction in 2009 covers all Garda payroll expenditure including salaries and overtime. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of resources including the allocation of personnel to...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Office of Public Works have been instructed to carry out the necessary remedial works as a priority following a recent lightning strike at the station named by the Deputy. Due to the extensive nature of the damage, initial estimates are that repair works would take in the region of 3 months. As a result, the Office of Public Works has been...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The following tables show the quantity of drugs seized and their approximate street value for 2008 (up to 25th November): 2008 Drug Type Quantity Estimated Street Value € Cannabis 828.950 kgs 1,657,900 Cannabis Resin 5,102.530 kgs 35,717,710 Heroin 161.700 kgs 32,340,000 Cocaine 1,877 kgs 131,390,000 Ecstasy 196,341 tablets 1,963,410 Total Value 203,069,020 2007 Drug...

Written Answers — Garda Resignations: Garda Resignations (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of female members of An Garda Síochána who have resigned from the force and the number of total resignations from the force in each of the past five years and including this year to the 30 November 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the following table. Year Female Resignations Total...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In June of this year I launched the Justice for Victims Initiative to respond to the needs of victims. On that occasion I announced an important legislative package of reforms to be published by Spring 2009. I remain confident of meeting that target. The document prepared by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), A Better Deal: the Human Rights of Victims in the Criminal Justice...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: While there are currently no proposals to introduce specific incentives for members of An Garda Síochána to live in communities they police, it is the case that where Garda official accommodation is available in any of the operational Garda Divisions, applications are invited from members to occupy such accommodation, thus allowing Gardaí to live among the community they serve. An Garda...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question Number 46 of 13 November 2008, the findings of the Hartnett Report have been accepted. Notwithstanding the fact that the Inquest into the death of the person in question has now concluded I am still constrained in what I can say due to the fact that civil proceedings instituted by the person's family are still ongoing. A Chief...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí operating as Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLO's) on 30 November 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 107. The overall strength of An Garda Síochána on 30 November 2008 was 14,445. The number operating as JLO's represents 0.74% of the overall strength. The Commissioner has approved the...