Results 9,381-9,400 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Never.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that sections 2 to 4, 6 to 12, 14 and 17 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 39 of 1998) shall continue in operation for the period of 12 months beginning on 30 June 2009. This motion seeks the Dáil's approval to continue in operation for a further 12 months several sections of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998....

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I will reply briefly to the remarks Deputies have made, although I cannot agree with anything the last speaker has said. I will not go into the detail of what he said, but I implacably disagree with everything he has said and particularly his reference to the Garda special branch, as he calls it. He said it was being used as a political police force, which I vehemently deny and reject.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Members of the House who spoke in favour of renewing the provisions of the Act. I accept that in the circumstances in which Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform find themselves, they cannot divulge to other Members the precise details as to why, other than the type of details we have given in this report, which has been laid before the House. Suffice it to say that it is...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 Jun 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 — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The scope of the information sought by the Deputy is of such a wide nature (i.e. it encompasses every aspect of my Department's activities) that it would require a huge investment of resources to research and identify the relevant material. The allocation of such resources to this task is not warranted. However, if the Deputy seeks information about specific initiatives, I will endeavour to...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am preparing a Sexual Offences Bill which will provide greater protection to children against sexual abuse and exploitation. The Bill, which is at an advanced stage of preparation, will take account of the requirements of the Optional Protocol that are the responsibility of my Department.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The figure of one hundred and fifty-one refers to the number of investigations undertaken by the Garda Síochána between 1 January, 2008 and 5 June, 2009, into alleged trafficking, not the number of suspected victims of human trafficking. Such investigations may not relate to an identified victim. The figure also includes enquiries / investigations carried out by the Garda Síochána, at the...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the matters referred to by the Deputy are currently being investigated.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Officials in the Long-Term Residency Section of my Department inform me that an application for long-term residency was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 28 September, 2007. This application is currently in the latter stages of processing. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in relation to the earlier questions raised by the Deputy, the Director of Training at the Garda College is the person ultimately responsible for domestic and catering staff at the Garda College. The day to day operational and management functions are however, delegated to the Restaurant Manager. The personnel at the Garda restaurant are engaged...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that any person subjected to racist abuse can report the matter at their local Garda station, or to any member of An Garda Síochána. Members of the public affected by racism can speak to an Ethnic Liaison Officer (ELO), whose function is to liaise with local ethnic communities. Ethnic Liaison Officers have been trained to be particularly aware of the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (17 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2008. On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person concerned did not meet the statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: My Department is engaged in a review of the limits and the scope of the Small Claims District Court Procedure. Pending the outcome of that review I can say that the matter raised by the Deputy is one that already comes within the scope of the Residential Tenancies Board that comes under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (18 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: 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. In accordance with the legislation I make decisions on naturalisation applications based on all of the information available to me. I have adopted a general policy that I will normally require an applicant for...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (18 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the case to which he refers was one of those investigated as part of the Barron Inquiries of Investigation. The case is a very tragic one. Senior Gardaí, including a dedicated liaison officer for the family, met recently with the family and their legal representative to discuss with them the conduct of the original investigation and any other questions that...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (18 Jun 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 — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, while all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the criminal law, including the investigation of road traffic collisions, there are currently 43 Gardaí trained or in the process of being trained, as Forensic Collision Investigators (FCIs). Region Sgt Gda TOTAL DMR - 5 5 Eastern 1 5 6 Northern 4 6 10 South Eastern 1 2 3...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (18 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the relevant District Detective Unit spoke to the person referred to by the Deputy and he informed them that he did not wish to make a complaint. The members of the Detective Unit left contact details with him should he wish to pursue a complaint. I am also informed that the person referred to has been provided with appropriate crime...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (18 Jun 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum in the State on 26 May 2005. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 29 November 2006, that...