Results 9,881-9,900 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Passport Forgeries: Passport Forgeries (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Records on PULSE indicate that there were 199 passports recorded as seized in 2008, with 132 passports seized up to 5th July 2009. Information recorded on PULSE does not indicate whether the passports seized are Irish or from other jurisdictions and it would necessitate a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to establish same, as it would require each individual entry to be...

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

Dermot Ahern: The position remains, as I indicated in my previous reply, that work on the general schemes of both Bills is ongoing in my Department.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have asked my Department to examine the Report commissioned by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, entitled "Globalisation, Sex Trafficking and Prostitution - The Experiences of Migrant Women in Ireland", in conjunction with the Departments/agencies to whom the Report's recommendations and findings are relevant. That process is in train. As the Deputy will be aware the report and its...

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

Dermot Ahern: The statistical data requested is retained in annual (calendar year) format. The number of student visa applications granted for 2008 was 4563 and the number of student visa applications granted for 2009 (up to the end of the June) is 1799. Figures for 2009 are provisional. Figures are not available in relation to whether the visas were granted for third level full time education or...

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

Dermot Ahern: The table contains figures in respect of all study visa application decisions for the years 2005 to 2008 inclusive. Year Total study visa applications decided Approved Refused 2008 6801 4563 (67%) 2238 (33%) 2007 9254 4849 (52%) 4405 (48%) 2006 6516 3548 (54%) 2968 (46%) 2005 7838 3213 (41%) 4625 (59%) Comparable figures are not readily available for the year 2004. Figures are...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Report to which the Deputy refers outlines in a broad sense the threat associated with organised crime engaging in fraudulent activities associated with the visa regime. There are also specific references to the potential for student immigration in the United Kingdom and Ireland to be exploited by organised crime whether through false documentation or the establishment of bogus schools....

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 386 together. The Deputy will appreciate that policing operations are a matter for An Garda Síochána. I have sought the information from the Garda authorities and I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: My policy, and that of my predecessors, is to ensure that any foreign national who finds himself, or herself, illegally present in the State and who has been convicted of an offence in the State, should serve the sentence handed down by the Courts. In certain circumstances, however, where prisoners are approaching the end of their periods of detention and there has been consultation between...

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

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to asylum applications received in the last 14 months (May 2008 to June 2009) is set out in the table below. Asylum Applications received May 2008 to June 2009 May 08 301 June 08 329 July 08 339 August 08 333 September 08 360 October 08 357 November 08 324 December 08 300 January 09 254 February 09 270 March 09 270 April 09 241...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought is at present being compiled and will be conveyed to him shortly.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programmes: Prison Building Programmes (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have no further information available to me to add to my replies of the 24th June, 2008 and the 2nd July, 2009.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programmes: Prison Building Programmes (7 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware the Government recently reconfirmed its commitment to developing a new prison campus at Thornton Hall. The revised plans for the new prison complex aim to protect the taxpayers' interests and provide good quality, regime focussed accommodation. The detailed design for the new revised prison complex will now be finalised. I am not in a position, at this point in...

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy had a contract.

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Absolutely.

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: They are soundbites.

Order of Business (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Including in the GMS.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Parliamentary Counsel that the words Deputy Ó Snodaigh proposes to insert are superfluous and, therefore, unnecessary. The definition of "press council" is framed on the basis of the meaning assigned to it by section 44. That section, in turn, already refers to the minimum requirements of the press council, as detailed in Schedule 2. It is not considered necessary to...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: We discussed this matter previously. The idea of the Bill is that membership of the Press Council would be voluntary, but the Deputy's amendment suggests that it be obligatory. While we would all like every media organ to be a member of the Press Council, it would not be correct to force it. I cannot accept the amendment.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 2: In page 7, to delete lines 5 and 6 and substitute the following: "5.-(1) The Minister shall, not later than 5 years after the passing of this Act, commence a review of its operation. (2) A review under subsection (1) shall be completed not later than one year after its commencement.". On Committee Stage we inserted a new section 5, which provides for a review of the...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The amendment states: "The Minister shall, not later than 5 years after the passing of this Act, commence a review of its operation." As a review could commence after one year, it is wrong to suggest that the time might be six years. I would hazard a guess that six years would be at the outside. I accept that, since the Press Council is a non-statutory organisation, it is important to pass...