Results 14,141-14,160 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. On 9 October 2012, the UN Security Council extended ISAF’s mandate for a further year until October 2013. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Investigations (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The military authorities completed an investigation into these allegations in 2010 and the Chief of Staff reported to the Minister for Defence at that time in this regard. The Chief of Staff confirmed that of the five personnel against whom allegations were made, two were then serving as members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), and three were former members. The investigation found...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Department is engaged in an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment at Custume Barracks, Athlone in recent years. The most recent major projects undertaken include the construction of Armoured...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: As of 15 June 2013, Ireland is contributing approximately 445 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 361 personnel, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces. As the Deputy is aware the Department has been engaged on an ongoing programme of barrack consolidation since 1998. This programme has brought to fourteen the number of barracks closed during that time. To-date nine...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman Complaints (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: Statistics, including the number of complaints processed and investigated by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) each year, are published in the Ombudsman’s annual reports. Copies of these reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and are also publicly available on the Ombudsman’s website www.odf.ie. The latest annual report published by the ODF is in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Council Legislation (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government undertakes to “legislate to establish a Judicial Council, with lay representation, to provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges” and this commitment is being given expression in the form of the proposed Judicial Council Bill. As well as providing for the establishment of a Judicial Council and Board that will promote...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 389 together. As the Deputy may be aware, eligibility for the new judgeships was initially confined to serving County Registrars in order to avoid expenditure on additional judicial salaries and pensions. The appointment of six County Registrars as specialist judges will create the necessary ring fenced judicial capacity for personal insolvency...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire Issues (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 399 together. The position is that Mr. Coffey's terms of reference required him to consider the case made by the Victims Committee for a new inquiry. He concluded that the Committee had not identified any new or other evidence capable of establishing the cause of the fire and that to establish a new inquiry for that purpose, in the absence of any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 360, 366 and 376 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Raheny Garda District. Local Garda management is aware of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area during the period referred to by the Deputy. I am further informed that on Tuesday, 4 June 2013, a large group of up to 200 youths gathered on the East...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Policing Priorities I have set for 2013 include an emphasis on continuing to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and An Garda Síochána has my full support in this regard. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda personnel and the allocation of resources throughout the Force. I am, however,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Juvenile Offenders (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: With regard to the first part of the Deputy's question, he will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application on behalf of the individual referred to by the Deputy was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). The application was processed and returned to the registered organisation involved on 12 June 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that, to date, my Department has not commissioned nor has it carried out a national gambling impact study. However, I am aware that, for the purposes of developing appropriate policy responses, there is a need for data of both a quantitative and qualitative nature on the extent of gambling in Ireland and its impacts. The Deputy will be aware that my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I announced my intention in 2011 to enact legislation to place the Parole Board on a statutory footing which I believe will help to strengthen the Board and improve its functions. Decisions have to be finalised on exactly what role a statutory Parole Board should play, what powers it should have, and how it should fit into the overall criminal justice system. I have also appointed a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: During the period in question, my Department used the services of the communications organisation, as set out in the table. Date Name of Company Services Provided Expenditure € April 2011 Carr Communications Limited Communications Training Module 550.00

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in July, 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am advised that records of driving penalty points and endorsements are held on the National Vehicle and Driver File operated by the Department of Transport and Sport. In addition, I understand that the new form of the driving licence which came into operation in January 2013, and for which the Road Safety Authority is responsible, does not contain details of penalty points or endorsements.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 was enacted in December 2012. However, commencement of the Act has been delayed as elements of the Act relating to the disclosure of convictions are under review having regard to a subsequent judgment of the UK Court of Appeal in (on the application of) T and others v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester and others...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in November, 2012. The application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision in due course. As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the...