Results 11,541-11,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Senators on all sides for the constructive discussion we have had on this Bill. I strongly believe that issues are well argued and teased out when they come to the Seanad. Senator Regan may believe I have been down on him in that I have not accepted any of his amendments. However, the fact that we have such good debates in this House is, I believe, yet another reason - I hope the...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Opposition Deputies kept asking questions.

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that there has been ongoing contact with the Victims Committee's legal advisor with a view to identifying the level of demand for services referred to by him. As this process had yet to produce sufficient information to allow arrangements be made and so as to avoid having to intrude on the privacy of those victims or bereaved who might not welcome direct contact, a...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that the main bodies within the remit of my Department include An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, the Irish Prison Service and the Property Registration Authority in addition to twenty four other bodies, details of which can be found in the appendices to my Department's most recent Annual Report available at www.justice.ie and also in the Oireachtas Library....

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that the premises in question have been used by the Probation Service for over 25 years. It previously operated as a hostel and day centre for young persons under probation supervision in the community, but ceased being used as a hostel a number of years ago. It currently operates under the responsibility of the Young Persons Probation Division (YPP) of the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A valid 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 April 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to a system of verification of attendance by lawyers at Tribunals of Inquiry for the purpose of payment of fees. While the matter is one for the Tribunal I can say that the role of each relevant Department in relation to a Tribunal is to account for its overall expenditure.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 204 and 205 of 1 December last in which I outlined progress on the review of gambling being undertaken by my Department. The Deputy will note that the review of gambling is not yet completed. The Deputy will appreciate that developing a revised gambling code that is capable of generating broad public support is a complex task....

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned made an application for residence in the State based on her marriage to a German National on 15 November 2008. The person referred to by the Deputy was informed of the decision to refuse this application on 18 May 2009. A request by the applicant and their spouse for review of this decision was received on...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The loaded description of the Garda Síochána as one of the most secretive police forces in the world simply does not stand up to scrutiny. In fact, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 has extensive provisions on the accountability and transparency of the Force. Under the Act, the Minister sets policing priorities each year which must be taken into account by the Garda Commissioner when drawing...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Garda Authorities that, at present, the area referred to by the Deputy is covered by the Tallaght Garda District and the Clondalkin Garda sub-district. I am informed that there is excellent liaison and communication between the respective Community Policing Units, which are specifically tasked with policing the area, with monthly meetings between the relevant personnel...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 647 on 27 January 2009. There has been no change in the position in the meantime. The offices of the Ministers of State attached to my Department are staffed by the other Departments in which they are based.

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators for their remarks on this excellent report. It deals with a disturbing and emotive subject and I thank Senators for the thoughtfulness of their contributions which not only dealt with the report's findings and their implications, as the last speaker stated, but also made clear their revulsion at what the report had revealed. Above all, the House has paid tribute to the...

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: It is important to recognise that the report of the commission describes the Garda investigation in 2002 as probably the most comprehensive Garda investigation into clerical sexual abuse ever undertaken in the State and as effective, co-ordinated and comprehensive. It resulted in a number of files being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and, following his directions, people have...

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Many prosecutions of abusers have been taken and hardly a day goes by when cases are not brought up. That is not just for the Dublin area but across the country. The unit dealing with domestic violence and sexual crime that the Garda has set up has been very successful in that respect. On the most recent announcement by the Garda Commissioner, my understanding having spoken to him on the...

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I do not have those figures but perhaps the Deputy could put down a separate question to get them. The Criminal Law Act 1997, which passed in March that year, abolished the distinction between felonies and misdemeanours. The commission reported that the vast majority of complaints regarding alleged offences were misdemeanours rather than felonies. To a certain extent the goalposts have...

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I reject that because there were----

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Prosecutions are still being taken against many people.

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: And the report clearly outlines the difficulties in that respect.

Criminal Prosecutions. (10 Dec 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I most certainly am not.