Results 7,861-7,880 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A general review of the framework for the acquisition of Irish citizenship is underway in my Department. This will be progressed in consultation with the Office of the Minister for Integration. Among the issues being considered as part of that exercise is the general question of whether current eligibility requirements are appropriate and also whether language and integration requirements...

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: That is not the case. Every case is different and there are different requirements in every single case. No two cases are the same. The conditions are well laid out in the legislation and are easily accessible.

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Ultimately, the Minister may, at his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation, provided that certain statutory conditions are met. The conditions are simple and include being of full age, good character, having a continuous one-year period of residence in the State immediately before the application, and intending in good faith to reside in the State...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The appointment of Chief Executive Officer is made on such terms as the Minister, after consultation with the Authority and with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may determine, and subject to the Civil Service Commissioners Act 1956 and the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 1996. The Authority have written to me requesting me to set terms in consultation with them for the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 58, 85, 86, 87 and 89 together. Discussions are continuing in relation to the sharing of services between the two organisations. All payroll transactions are already carried out on behalf of the Equality Authority by my Department's Financial Shared Services Unit based in Killarney. My Department is currently looking to extend this service to the Irish...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: In June 2008, at the launch of the Justice for Victims Initiative, I announced that it would include an important legislative package of reforms. Last December the Government approved my proposals for this legislative package in the form of the Criminal Procedure Bill. This Bill draws on several of the major recommendations of the Balance in the Criminal Law Review Group. The General...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 88 and 113 together. As indicated in my reply to Question No. 249 of 5 November 2008 the Value for Money review of the Equality Authority is an analysis of past performance in achieving the tasks set out in its strategic plan to date. The review has not yet concluded. A decision on publication of the report will be taken in due course.

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Government attaches the highest priority to tackling organised crime including drug trafficking and bringing those involved in such activities to justice. One of the main priorities I have set for the 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...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The question of legislation to regulate debt collection as a financial activity is not one that comes within the area of responsibility of my Department. However, I am aware of recent media reports which alleged intimidation of persons owing money in various circumstances by "criminal" debt collectors. The alleged intimidation and threatening behaviour of debt collectors, no more than such...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case offered a thorough independent analysis of the facts surrounding the false confession made by Dean Lyons based on the evidence of all relevant witnesses. It concluded that there was no deliberate attempt to undermine the rights of Dean Lyons. At page 12 of his Report Mr Birmingham (now Judge Birmingham) makes it clear that...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to appointments to Boards and other such like bodies which I am required to make from time to time. The Deputy will be aware that in making appointments of this nature, that in some instances the procedures to be followed are set down in statute. In other cases, the law often requires that an appointee be qualified in a certain profession or perhaps be a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 110 together. I can confirm that in common with all other Departments, my Department is required to give effect to an 8% reduction in the rates for professional fees for services rendered to it from 1 March. Services provided by legal practitioners, including those provided by solicitors and barristers, will be subject to the reduced rates. By...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Community Gardaí on 31 January 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 706. All Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single member or unit within the Garda Síochána, and I agree...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Privacy Bill 2006, that is before the Seanad, having been restored to the Seanad Order Paper in late 2007 by the Leader of the Seanad, represents Government policy in the area of privacy. My Department continues to review the provisions in the Bill taking into account developments in the operation of the law of privacy in our courts and elsewhere, with a view to possible amendments of...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in my reply to question number 68 of 18 December 2008 the Morris Tribunal has completed its work and has produced a total of eight reports. The Government has already taken strong action on foot of its recommendations. This action includes: the passage of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the most significant piece of legislation relating to An Garda Síochána in the history of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ Number 45 of today's date. Work on the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering) Bill, which forms part of the Government's legislative programme, is underway and publication is scheduled for later this year. The Bill, which seeks to transpose the Third Money Laundering Directive into Irish law, will contain provisions to ensure that places...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: 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 bail referendum in 1996 allows for bail to be refused where a person is...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The most recent crime statistics released by the CSO, in respect of 2008, show a number of encouraging trends. There was a decrease of 42.9% in the number of homicide offences, which includes a decrease of 36.4% in murder and of 57.1% in manslaughter. Aggravated sexual assault decreased by 33.3% and assault causing harm by 2.2%. Nevertheless the number of violent crimes committed remains a...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Smithwick Tribunal was established in May 2005. The cost of the Tribunal (to end-January 2009) is €4,869,390. The Tribunal is in an investigative phase at present. I met with the Chairman of the Tribunal last July and during that meeting I conveyed the Government's view that the legal costs of tribunals should be strictly managed. I also informed him that the Minister for Finance...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management, through ongoing monitoring and analysis of crime trends in Donegal Garda Division, is aware of an increase in the incidents referred to by the Deputy. These incidents are under active Garda investigation. Additional patrols by uniform and plain clothes personnel have been put in place in the areas concerned and resources...