Results 8,601-8,620 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Naturalisation Applications: Naturalisation Applications (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in September 2011. On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet the statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish...

Written Answers — Naturalisation Applications: Naturalisation Applications (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in September 2011. On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet the statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together. As the Deputy is aware, arising from the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was reduced to 9,500 personnel. In response to this reduced strength ceiling, I initiated a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces, both permanent and reserve. As a three Brigade...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The table below sets out the numbers, by Brigade of Reserve Defence Force officers promoted under DFR R5 para 31(2) each year since 2005 and to date in 2012. Formation 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2 E Bde RDF 0 0 2 8 0 0 0 0 1 S Bde RDF 0 4 2 3 0 0 0 0 4 W Bde RDF 0 2 4 3 0 0 0 0 RDF TA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NSR 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 Total 0 6 8 17 0 0 0 0 In October 2011 I agreed to...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Reserve: Defence Forces Reserve (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: A Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force commenced in February 2010. In accordance with the appropriate guidelines, a Steering Committee was established to oversee the Review. This Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. A Working Group undertakes detailed analysis...

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The ferry service operating between Cobh and the Naval Base provides transport between Cobh and the Naval Base for Naval Service personnel and civilian staff. The service, which has been in existence for over 50 years, currently operates on the basis of both a scheduled time-tabled service and an on call 24 hours a day service. The service, which is a valuable asset, provides the Naval...

Written Answers — Naval Service Personnel: Naval Service Personnel (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The attached table outlines the number of vacancies in the Naval Service. The number of vacancies, by rank, is based on the Employment Control Framework (ECF) of 1,094, the portion allocated to the Naval Service from the overall ECF figure of 10,000 for all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force, versus the strength of 942 as at 31 May 2012, the latest date for which figures are available....

Written Answers — Air Corps Recruitment: Air Corps Recruitment (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The attached table outlines the number of vacancies in the Air Corps. The number of vacancies, by rank, is based on the Employment Control Framework (ECF) of 886, the portion allocated to the Air Corps from the overall ECF figure of 10,000 for all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force, versus the strength of 756 as at 31 May 2012, the latest date for which figures are available. Competitions...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Strength: Defence Forces Strength (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 to 139, inclusive, together. The following tables set out the number of women by rank serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps at 31 December for each of the years 2007 to 2011, and at 31 May 2012, the latest date for which figures are available. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: During each EU Presidency both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held. Last November I attended the formal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers. The Operation Commanders of the three current EU-led missions were also in attendance. Discussions were focused on these current operations and future proposed developments. Ireland contributes Defence...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Expenditure: Defence Forces Expenditure (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including equipment and training resources, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence. However, it is imperative that the Department and the Defence Forces, similar to all other...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (21 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: As I indicated on Committee Stage on 12 June, I have tabled some minor amendments to clarify further the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of the Bill. These sections deal with the prescribing of organisations and the prescribing of a class or classes of persons who work for those organisations. The purpose of the sections is to allow that the defences set out in section 4 of the Bill will...

Criminal Assets Bureau (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am aware that the Deputy has raised this matter on several occasions and is keen to have a full debate on the question of diverting moneys collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau into community programmes. I welcome this opportunity to outline the current position in this regard. The bureau has served the State well in tackling serious and organised crime, including drug trafficking in...

Criminal Assets Bureau (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I acknowledge the Deputy's sincerity in raising this issue and admit that his proposal does have certain attractions. However, I am obliged to be conscious not only of what is in the current legislation but whether, on a policy basis, the introduction of such a scheme would be a good idea. The work done by CAB is paid for out of public funds, as is the work done by the Garda Síochána to...

Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present this important legislation to the House, the primary purpose of which is to close an existing loophole in the law. Under the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998, it is an offence to withhold information in respect of a serious criminal offence. However, that provision of the 1998 Act specifically excludes...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Abuja, Nigeria on 10th April 2012. Following full consideration the visa officer decided to refuse the grant of the visa for the following reasons. The applicant was seeking to join a person who has been granted "Temporary Leave to...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government undertakes to "legislate to establish a Judicial Council, with lay representation, to provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges" and this commitment is being given expression in the form of the proposed Judicial Council Bill. As well as providing for the establishment of a Judicial Council and Board that will promote excellence and...

Written Answers — Commencement of Legislation: Commencement of Legislation (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: Part 8 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 was commenced on 1 December 2009. Part 12 (in relation to amendment of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009) and Part 13 (in relation to amendment of the Registration of Title Act 1964) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 were commenced on the date of its passing i.e. 2 August 2011.

Written Answers — Information and Communications Technology: Information and Communications Technology (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Department has agreed a broad Information and Communications Technology (ICT) consolidation strategy in the context of the Government's commitment under the public service reform programme to the development of shared services. There are also substantial developments around Cloud Computing with a Government strategy due to be published shortly. The detailed implementation of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (26 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: My Department's procurements operate within the legal framework of EU procurement directives and the guidance of the Department of Finance for procurements under EU thresholds - as required, all tenders over €25,000 are publicly advertised either on etenders or in the EU Journal. As part of its procurement controls my Department has had in place a database for all contracts placed over...