Results 8,541-8,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The 2009 prisons capital programme includes a number of important projects. Thornton Hall A preferred bidder for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the new prison development at Thornton Hall, County Dublin has been selected. While negotiations on the contract are at an advanced stage they have not yet been completed to the point that the Project Agreement can be signed....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my responses to Parliamentary Questions Number 62 of 18 December 2008 and Number 90 of 25 February 2009, the findings of the Hartnett Report have been accepted. The Inquest into the death of the person in question has been concluded and civil proceedings instituted by the person's family have been settled. A Chief Superintendent was appointed under the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Though legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is already very strong and heavy penalties are already in place, I am moving to strengthen the law in this area. In that context, I sought and received proposals from the Garda Commissioner on strengthening the law on knife crime. These include: • increasing the maximum prison sentence for possessing a knife in a public place...

Written Answers — Prison Drug Treatment Services: Prison Drug Treatment Services (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The statement referred to by the Deputy has recently been made available by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Amongst various matters raised in the statement there is comment expressing reservation that needle and syringe exchange programmes are available to prisoners in only eight countries throughout the world and opiate substitution therapy in only...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009 was published on 17th April 2009. The Bill provides a statutory framework for surveillance by an Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the Revenue Commissioners in their respective roles in combatting serious crime and protecting the State from subversive and terrorist threats. Up to now surveillance has been used primarily as an intelligence...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Legislation to address the Law Reform Commission's recommendations on multi-unit developments is in the course of being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel as a matter of priority. The intention is to publish the Bill in this Session. The principal focus of the new Bill will be on ensuring good governance of property management companies and similar bodies which comprise the owners of units...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Generally speaking when a prisoner has fully completed his or her sentence he/she is no longer subject to any legal obligation to be subject to supervision. However, some former prisoners will of their own volition participate in courses/programmes arranged through the Probation Service. Furthermore, in the case of certain offences (e.g. sexual offences) the Judge at the time of sentencing...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 134 together. The Fines Bill 2009 was published last Monday, April the 20th. The Bill covers three main areas of policy; the indexation of fines, the capacity of persons to pay fines and alternatives to imprisonment where a fine has not been paid by the due date for payment. In particular, section 14 of the Bill provides that where a fine is imposed on...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions no. 341 of 18 November and no. 28 of 18 December 2008 work on the scheme of the Judicial Council Bill is at an advanced stage of development in my Department. Following contacts with the Chief Justice a working group was established in 2008 to advance the Bill. The Group comprises a nominee each of my Department and of the Chief Justice....

Written Answers — Garda Retirement: Garda Retirement (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí who have voluntarily retired from An Garda Síochána in the first three months of each year from 2002 - 2009 was as set out in the table hereunder. Dates Voluntary Retirements 01/01/02 - 31/03/02 63 01/01/03 - 31/03/03 109 01/01/04 - 31/03/04 103 01/01/05 - 31/03/05 59 01/01/06 - 31/03/06 59 01/01/07 - 31/03/07 26...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Apr 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. I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management...

Written Answers — Firearms Licences: Firearms Licences (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that prior to 2004 there was a de facto ban on handguns in this jurisdiction. However, I understand from the Garda Authorities that records indicate approximately 2,000 handguns have been licensed since the beginning of 2004. The most recent figures on stolen firearms were received on 16 December 2008 and indicate that 31 handguns were recorded as stolen since 2004....

Written Answers — Drugs Offences: Drugs Offences (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The most recent Central Statistics Office figures referred to by the Deputy show an increase of 25.4% in the overall total of drugs offences recorded for 2008 in comparison with 2007. It is important to emphasise that, of their nature, drug offences are only recorded as a result of enforcement activity. For example, obviously possession of drugs for supply is only recorded as an offence...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 112, 114 and 124 together. The following table contains the number of cases of murder recorded in which firearms were used, the number of prosecutions initiated and the number of convictions secured in each year from 1998 to 2008 and in 2009 up to 16 April. Figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change. The detection rate for murders...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 125 together. The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering) Bill, which will transpose the requirements of the third EU Money Laundering Directive into Irish Law, along with those of the related implementing Directive is being drafted at present. The highest priority is being given to the drafting and publication of this Bill. The proposed legislation will...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions No. 135 to 141 of 2nd April 2009. I have nothing further to add.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The following table contains the number of cases of murder recorded and the number of convictions secured in each year from 2004 to 2008 and in 2009 up to 3 April. The detection rate for murders by its nature increases over time as Garda investigations progress. It is expected that in respect of each year the number of convictions obtained will increase as Garda investigations are concluded...

Written Answers — Prison Drug Treatment Services: Prison Drug Treatment Services (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service continues to implement its 2006 Drugs Policy & Strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs Out of Prison. At present, any person entering prison giving a history of opiate use and testing positive for opioids on committal are offered a medically assisted symptomatic detoxification if clinically indicated. Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss with...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that the most recent figures available are as set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No: 96 of 25 February 2009. The Garda Authorities are currently collating the up to date information and I will communicate it to the Deputy when it is to hand.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill is on the A list of the Government's Legislation Programme for this session. The Bill will provide for the establishment of a comprehensive DNA database to aid criminal investigations and the identification of missing and deceased persons. The database will not only provide An Garda Síochána with an enhanced intelligence resource,...