Results 13,821-13,840 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have no responsibility in this matter. Under section 7(3) of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which the Legal Aid Board is or may be concerned. I understand that a detailed description of the means-testing regime is set out in the Legal Aid Board's leaflet on Financial Eligibility (Leaflet Number 13),...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: An application for long term residency from the person in question was received in my Department on 24 November 2008. A letter, requesting further documentation, issued to the person concerned on 29 April 2010. Processing of the application will continue on receipt of these documents. It is likely, therefore, that a decision will be reached on the application in the coming months.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 May 2010)

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 June 2007. 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 26 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that the Law Reform Commission intends to publish its Final Report on Personal Debt Management and Debt Enforcement by the end of 2010 and that shortly it will publish an Interim Report on some early initiatives that it has developed with the assistance of a Working Group.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Since my appointment as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in May 2008 there have been 17 Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meetings, nine of which I have attended. Minister of State Conor Lenihan attended two Council meetings on my behalf. In the remaining instances, I was represented by Ireland's Permanent Representative to the EU and senior officials of my Department. I...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 May 2010)

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 September 2007. 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 26 months. More...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 7 November 2003. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), he was entitled to remain in the State until his application for asylum was decided. His asylum application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Arising...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question Number 171 of 29 April 2010, the information provided in relation to visa application number 2947162 remains correct as stated. I am informed by the Visa Section of my Department that the person in question has made a new visa application under visa reference number 3760742. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a visa has...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The purpose of this amendment is to limit the requirement for personal service of documents or service by registered post to the notification required under section 15(2) of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann, instead of applying this requirement to all notices and documents to be served on or given to a person under Part 3. Section 15(2) provides that a recovery order shall not enter into...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As I mentioned in my speech on Second Stage, the indexation of fines scheme is based on the Law Reform Commission report of 1991 and a review of the developments on the indexation of fines published by the commission in 2002. In 2002 the commission recommended that the court should have the ability to take into account, in determining the level of a fine in a particular case, the financial...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This is all based around the concept of equality of impact which works both ways. Obviously, the judge cannot impose a fine of more than €5,000, the overall limit for the District Court. Equally, in individual cases judges cannot impose a fine greater than the maximum that pertains to the particular offence. However, the intention is to allow discretion to the judge to take into account...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I cannot put it any other way other than reiterating the point that it was always envisaged, when the Oireachtas was passing legislation, that a judge had discretion as to the maximum fine to impose. We are putting into law a much more definite regulation, in effect, and obligation on a court to determine the personal financial circumstances of people before it. I accept the point made by...

Seanad: Fines Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and those Senators who contributed to the debate. The Bill is at the cutting edge of law reform. The indexation of fines will result in a dramatic change to the way in which the District Court, in particular, does its business. The Bill will place a large onus on them in the initial phases. It will ensure the monetary value of existing fines will be brought...

Leaders' Questions. (12 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This is like the Muppets.

Leaders' Questions. (12 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: He is a ventriloquist.

Leaders' Questions. (12 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Hurrah.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 102 of 1 April 2010. I have nothing further to add to the details of that reply.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (12 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The terms of reference of the Working Group to which the Deputy refers are as follows - "To consider the operation of the current system for determining the rent payable on foot of a rent review clause, with particular emphasis on the arbitration process and the adequacy of the information available to all parties and, if necessary, to make such recommendations for change as may seem...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 May 2010)

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 November 2007. 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 26 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (12 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that the permission to remain in the State originally granted to the person concerned under the IBC/05 scheme was renewed until 9 February 2013. The person in question was informed of this decision by letter dated 11 February 2010.