Results 7,921-7,940 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that staff at the Continuous Professional Development Training Centres in each Garda Division deliver a two (2) day training course each year — Core Programme — to members of Garda and Sergeant Rank. The Core Programme regularly includes modules on new legislation and policy, and the Core Programme for 2008 covered the following areas: (1)...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Where an alleged breach of procedure by a member of An Garda Síochána occurs, the matter is one for the Garda Commissioner to investigate.

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the circumstances which the Deputy is referring to in his Question and I dealt with them in my reply to a Question tabled by the Deputy on the 2nd December 2008 (No. 301). As I indicated in that reply, a response to the letter referred to by the Deputy would be issued and this has been done.

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 172 and 176 together. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that organised criminal groups are being targeted on a number of fronts, including through the use of focused intelligence led operations by specialist units in An Garda Síochána. Specialist units within the Gardaí targeting organised crime operate under the remit of the Assistant...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 52 of today's date.

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 171 together. The Garda Policing Plan for 2009, which reflects the priorities set for the Force by me as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, contains a series of measures aimed at reducing the impact of crime and criminal behaviour. These goals are backed up by strategic actions which include a commitment to continue and intensify...

Written Answers — Recidivism Rate: Recidivism Rate (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware of the findings of the major study on prisoner re-offending, undertaken by the Institute of Criminology at UCD, which was facilitated by the Irish Prison Service. Briefly the study found that 27.4% of released prisoners were serving a new prison sentence within one year; this rose to 39.2% after two years, 45.1% after three years and 49.2% after four years. The...

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

Dermot Ahern: The law takes a serious view of offences committed by persons on bail. The commission of any offence while on bail carries the prospect of a harsher sentence than might otherwise be imposed had the offence not been committed while the offender was on bail. Section 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 provides that any sentence of imprisonment passed on a person for an offence committed while...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that approximately 1,800 handguns have been licensed since the beginning of 2004 and that 31 have been stolen in that period. I am further informed that stolen firearms are used in the course of the commission of other criminal offences but, because not all stolen firearms or firearms used in the commission of offences are recovered, it is not possible...

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

Dermot Ahern: I understand from the Garda Authorities that records indicate approximately 1,800 handguns have been licensed since the beginning of 2004 and that 31 have been stolen in that period. I am further advised that stolen firearms are used in the course of the commission of other criminal offences but, because not all stolen firearms or firearms used in the commission of offences are recovered, it...

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

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 sought by the Deputy directly to him.

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

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 sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Policing Plan for 2009, which reflects the priorities set for the Force by me as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, contains a series of measures aimed at reducing the impact of crime and criminal behaviour. One of the strategic goals identified in the Plan is to reduce significantly the incidence of public disorder and anti-social behaviour in communities. I am...

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

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to my replies to his previous questions in this regard on 8 July 2008 and 18 December 2008.

Written Answers — Court Staff: Court Staff (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: On foot of an amendment made by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008, section 9 of the Courts and Courts Officers Act 1945 now enables a County Registrar to act as County Registrar in another county and exercise powers concurrently with their being exercised by the other County Registrar. Since this provision was implemented on 1 August 2008, the Courts Service has authorised a...

Written Answers — Vetting of Personnel: Vetting of Personnel (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations in Ireland, registered with the Unit, which employ personnel to work in a full-time, part time, voluntary or student capacity with children and/or vulnerable adults. The procedure is also conducted for fostering and the Adoption Board. The Health Service Executive is a registered organisation for...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour and not an entitlement. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the applicant must be of...

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Programme: Drug Treatment Programme (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 206, of 28th January, 2009. I await the proposal from the Probation Service relating to a new vision for Harristown House. When I receive that proposal I will be in a position to make informed decision(s) on what is the best and most viable option for the reopening of the House having particular regard to the client needs of...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that a decision was made in relation to the application for a visa extension for the person referred to by the Deputy. The person concerned was informed of that decision in writing on the 21st January 2009. The representations made on behalf of the person concerned on the 26th January 2009 was responded to in writing by my...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (26 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November, 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...