Results 941-960 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: The Garda has indicated to the Department that it will be more vigilant concerning the presence of drugs generally, whether in pubs, clubs, nightclubs, night spots or private houses. However, there is an operational dimension to the issue. If the Garda is to begin raiding house parties of one kind or another, there will be a requirement for warrants so that the power is not open to abuse....

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: The Deputy is mischievously trying to bring me into conflict with the Taoiseach. He will find I am a loyal Minister of State in that regard. I emphasise clearly that gardaí already have the power to enter premises that we describe as public houses or night spots of one kind or another.

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: I understand gardaí have the power to inspect premises with regard to potential or actual drug misuse in a public house setting. There is a different issue, legally, in regard to private homes. The Minister is a lawyer but I am not. However, I understand the law on the matter is that if one were to specify a raid on a private home with regard to potential or actual drug misuse, there...

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: Operation Anvil has been up and running for some time and has been very successful. It concentrates Garda resources, including spending on overtime, in order that gardaí can focus their efforts on particular areas and gangs where they may be active. It is essentially the type of operation I hope the Deputy would welcome because it is entirely in tune with what he is calling for. At least...

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: I do not intend to reduce our priorities to a numerical basis. I merely point out that the expansion of cocaine usage is a very serious problem.

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: I said in my initial reply that there was no simple quick-fix solution to this problem. It requires sustained work by the Garda and the Department. I do not believe there is currently a requirement for additional legislation. We need to continue to reinvest in the existing resources deployed through the drug units in every Garda district. We also require leadership from parents, other...

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Government attach the highest importance to tackling the use of illegal firearms and offensive weapons generally. The first of the priorities which the Minister has determined in accordance with the Garda Síochána Acts for the Garda Síochána for 2008 is targeting gun crime and the illegal activities most closely associated with...

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: I do not want to minimise the problem or sound complacent by quoting the figures I quoted in my initial reply, but the bottom line is that year on year — I am not saying one swallow makes a summer or that one year's figures are evidence of a serious regression — there has been a welcome reduction in the number of murders and offences involving weapons. It is also the case that the...

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: ——and extra pressure on the Garda Síochána because of that growing population.

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: That is a detailed question which, perhaps more properly, should be directed to the Garda Commissioner. With regard to weapons becoming available because of the post-conflict situation on the island, it must be remembered that many of the guns that arrived here did so for many different reasons. A significant contributor to firearms becoming available to the criminal classes here is the...

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: That is a serious issue. I do not have figures available to me on the percentage of weapons now available because of the post-conflict situation in the North only to say that is something the Garda monitors regularly.

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: No. I am saying it is one of the contributory factors——

Crime Prevention. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: My apologies.

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: In all family law proceedings relating to the upbringing of a child, the court must always regard the child's welfare as the first and paramount consideration. Where appropriate and practicable, the court will take into account also the child's wishes in the matter having regard to the age and understanding of the child. In addition, the law now places an emphasis in terms of recognising...

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: The Minister is cognisant of the issues arising in this question and these matters are under review in his Department. That is a commitment from the Minister.

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: Wider issues arise involving the consistency of judgments as between courts, whether they be in an urban or rural setting. An issue has been raised directly by judges with the Department and its officials about the consistency across the courts system with regard to decisions and matters arising from the family courts. I understand there is a commitment from judges to provide more...

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: In all family law proceedings relating to the guardianship, custody and upbringing of a child, the court must always regard the child's welfare as the first and paramount consideration. Where appropriate and practicable, the court will also take into account the child's wishes in the matter having regard to his or her age and understanding. Similar statutory provisions apply in proceedings...

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: I will attempt to answer some of the Deputy's questions as some are beyond me.

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: Deputy Shatter is an acknowledged expert in this area. This service is being provided on a pilot basis in the Dublin Circuit Court.

Family Law. (13 Dec 2007)

Conor Lenihan: It will be followed through on a phased basis in the Cork and Limerick Circuit Courts. The probation and welfare service is in the process of appointing a family law coordinator who will liaise with the Judiciary on the service it should access. Referrals will be processed through the Courts Service and accompanied with a sworn affidavit by the applicant and the respondent. Hopefully, the...