Results 9,821-9,840 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I do not have anything further to say. The amendment is providing a list of items in order to provide for a presumption that a person had the relevant state of mind and a mens rea regarding the intention to commit an offence. I can put it no further.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 2a: In page 9, lines 21 to 23, to delete all words from and including "of" in line 21 down to and including "expertise" in line 23 and substitute the following: "of— (a) any member of the Garda Síochána, or (b) any former member of the Garda Síochána, who appears to the Court to possess the appropriate expertise (in this section referred to as the "appropriate...

Written Answers — Immigration System: Immigration System (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The report, referred to by the Deputy, relates to the experiences of clients of the Crosscare service when interacting with the Irish immigration system. It is a lengthy report with many comments and over 90 recommendations. As a result it is not possible for me to comment in detail on the issues raised but rather to give a general response. There is no doubt as to the sincerity of the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Jul 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 — Drug Abuse: Drug Abuse (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: While it is not possible to estimate the overall extent to which heroin use is a factor in crime, what is clear from available studies and research is that the provision of drug treatment in general substantially reduces drug use and related involvement in crime. The recently published Rosie Study by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (available at www.nacd.ie) which measured drug...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that since I was appointed as Minister in May 2008, the cost of my official mobile telephone to date amounts to around €234 a month. I understand that, when annualised, approximately 3% of the costs relate to data charges and around 59% to roaming charges.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 25 June 2009, Government policy in this matter is expressed in the National Children's Strategy. One of the objectives of the Strategy, which was launched in 2000 and has a ten year life span, states "...As part of a policy of ending physical punishment, parenting courses will focus on alternative approaches to...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: An application for long-term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 02 August 2007. His application is currently in the latter stages of processing. As soon as a decision is reached in his case, he will be notified directly.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Policing Plan for 2009, which reflects the priorities set for the Force by me as Minister, includes a number of strategic actions aimed at significantly reducing the incidence of crime and criminal behaviour. These include a commitment to continue and intensify intelligence-led operations against groups and individuals engaged in criminality. One of these operations is Operation...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (7 Jul 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 August 2007. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. Officials in that Section inform me that the documentation requested from the person concerned has been received and further processing of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Litigation costs in relation to my Department are borne by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Office of the Attorney General and, as such, the information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department.

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A public recruitment competition for Recruit Prison Officers was held during 2008 and a panel of candidates successful at the first round of the process was established. There are currently no vacancies in the Irish Prison Service for Recruit Prison Officers. This recruitment competition panel will, of course, be available to draw from should posts be sanctioned in the short to medium term...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is a participating organisation in the Government's cycle to work scheme. Garda members wishing to avail of this scheme must complete and submit the cycle to work scheme application form which outlines the items to be purchased from the approved Office of Public Works supplier. The salary deduction authorisation form must also...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that Prison Officers are eligible to participate in the cycle to work scheme. The Irish Prison Service circulated all prisons on the 23rd June, 2009 with the relevant details. Briefly, to avail of the scheme an Officer must comply with the following procedures: visit approved supplier and select the new bicycle/cycle safety equipment s/he wishes to purchase;...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The persons concerned arrived in the State on various dates and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their cases by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, the persons concerned were informed in writing that...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: An application for long-term residency by the person referred to by the Deputy was made on 10 October 2007. Officials in the Long-Term Residency section of my Department have advised me that applications from October 2007 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: If an application for asylum has been made by the persons concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: If an asylum application has been made in respect of the first named person, the Deputy should note that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending. The second named person arrived in the State on 23 November, 2007 and applied for asylum. On 5 December, 2007 she gave birth to a daughter, the third named person, and included her in her asylum application. Their...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: If an application for asylum has been made by the first and second named person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending. The third named person concerned is the infant daughter of the first and second named person concerned. On 24 November 2008 an application for asylum in the State was made on her behalf....

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The number of persons currently imprisoned for the non-payment of a fine by the due date is 6. This represents a tiny fraction of 0.2% of the overall prison population. The numbers have always been on the low side and there is no discernible upward trend. On 20th April 2009 I published the Fines Bill 2009. The Bill, which was referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's...