Results 8,561-8,580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Commissioner recently launched a new National Model of Community Policing for An Garda Síochána. This new model will build on the success of existing good community policing practice and I look forward to the implementation of this plan. A National Community Policing Office will be established within Garda Community Relations Section and it is intended that every District Officer...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission Report: Garda Ombudsman Commission Report (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The report and recommendations referred to relate to the alleged leaking of official material from Garda sources to the media relating to a deceased person. The full text of the Ombudsman Commission's report in relation to this matter is available on its website. The report recommends to the Garda Commissioner that supervisory ranks of An Garda Síochána should regularly monitor the use of...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 126 together. The Thornton Hall Prison development is not a superprison. It is a complex Public Private Partnership project which involves the construction of more than 30 buildings, including 8 prison facilities on the site, a major internal road network, extensive perimeter security and a vast array of security systems over a range of security and...

Written Answers — Pre-nuptial Agreements: Pre-nuptial Agreements (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Study Group on Pre-Nuptial agreements examined pre-nuptial agreements having regard to the provisions in the Constitution on the protection of marriage and the requirement that proper provision be made for parties to divorce proceedings. The Group's core recommendation is that both the Family Law Act 1995 and Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 be amended to provide that the courts be required...

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

Dermot Ahern: There has been a very considerable increase in garda resources in recent years, with the number of attested members rising from 10,968 at the end of 1997 to 11,895 at the end of 2002, to 13,755 at the end of 2007 and to 14,371 in the most recent figures. Even in this year of budgetary constraints, some 900 student Gardai will become attested which, taking into account projected retirements,...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will understand that it would neither be helpful nor wise for me to comment on the specific details of Garda activities to combat the threat posed by paramilitary groups. The House can be assured, however, that the threat arising from the activities of these groups is kept under constant review by the Garda Síochána. Priority is given by the Gardaí to intelligence-led...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The recruitment of a new CEO for the Authority is going ahead under the auspices of a public competition being organised by the Public Appointments Service. I am advised that there is a very considerable level of interest in the post and therefore it could be some time yet before a candidate is selected for appointment, by the Equality Authority, under the normal statutory procedures.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has received the report from the Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee for the year 2008. That report has been translated in accordance with the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 2003 and I am arranging to have it published as soon as possible. I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no role in relation to the investigation or prosecution of cases. I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 7 March, 2009 a complaint was received from the National Gallery of Ireland by An Garda Síochána at Pearse Street in respect of an incident. In the course of the investigation into this incident, a second incident was reported to An Garda...

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

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with EU Directives, national public procurement procedures and relevant legislation, An Garda Síochána engaged in a procurement process for the provision and operation of safety cameras. As a result, a preferred supplier has been selected, allowing for the contract discussion phase of the procurement process to proceed. Following the supplementary budget submitted by the...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The information on the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of those sections of the Programme for Government referred to by the Deputy is published on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach. It can be accessed at www.taoiseach.gov.ie under Publications (archive 2008). The information will be updated later this year.

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 133 and 474 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the incident to which the Deputies refer remains the subject of an active and ongoing investigation. Shortly after the incident a number of persons were arrested. Charges have been preferred against two of those arrested, and these individuals are currently before the Courts. A sum of...

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

Dermot Ahern: The allocation of duties among members of the Garda Síochána, including security and protection duties, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, who has made clear the priority he attaches to front-line operational policing through measures such as Operation Anvil and the recent establishment of the Organised Crime Unit. There has been a very considerable increase in Garda resources in...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has responsibility for seven EU Directives which have to be implemented. Four of these Directives are overdue. They are: Council Directive 2005/85/EC of 1 December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status. Irish law and practice in this area is already substantially in compliance with the terms of this Directive. The...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that my Department, in accordance with EU Directive 2000/84/EC, compiled and communicated submissions in respect of this issue to the European Commission from a number of relevant Departments and semi-state bodies in July 2007. Following consideration of the information made available to it from Member States, the European Commission reported that it took the view...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 25 February 2009. The position remains unchanged.

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

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my reply to Question No. 131 of 25 March 2009, the Value for Money review of the Equality Authority has not yet concluded. This, however, is expected to be finalised in the near future. The decision on publication of the report will be taken in due course.

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

Dermot Ahern: I share the horror expressed by all sides of the House in response to last month's murders in Northern Ireland. The groups responsible for these heinous crimes represent no-one but themselves. Their actions show nothing but contempt for the will of the Irish people. Having said that, the Deputy will understand that it would neither be helpful nor wise for me to comment on the specific...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 476 together. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of attested members of An Garda Síochána on 28th February 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,371. The number of recruits in training (Phases 1 to 3) at that date was 1,043. The number of probationer Gardaí who have been...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government Legislation Programme announced on 22 April 2009 does not provide for any proposals to amend the law on bankruptcy. However, operation of the law contained in the Bankruptcy Act 1988 continues to be reviewed in my Department.