Results 14,181-14,200 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

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) on 30 April 2013. The application is being processed and will be returned to the registered organisation once completed. The current average processing time for applications is approximately 14 weeks from date of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The information sought by the Deputy in relation to sick leave for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is set out in the table. Uncertified sick leave is now classed as self-certified sick leave. Year Total self certified sick days Average self certified sick days per employee Total certified sick days Average certified sick days per employee Total sick days (certified and self certified)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: An EU Directive to facilitate access to alternative dispute resolution and to promote the amicable settlement of disputes by encouraging the use of mediation was given effect in this jurisdiction in the European Communities (Mediation) Regulations 2011. In addition to the introduction of the Directive, it is my intention to bring forward, by the end of the year, a broadly-based Mediation...

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

Alan Shatter: There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency or naturalisation in respect of the person whose details was supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on applications which have not fully completed this process.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries Report (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: Mr Justice Quirke forwarded his report to me on 30 May, 2013. I expect it will be considered by Government within the next two weeks and that the report itself and the Government's response to his recommendations can then be published. I do not believe that it would be helpful to pre-empt the publication of the report or the consideration of the matter by the Government by going into any...

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

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice and would be contrary to public interest to disclose details of requests or authorisations to intercept including their number. However, I can assure the Deputy that there is a comprehensive legislative regime in place to deal with such matters in this jurisdiction. With regard to interceptions, the Interception of Postal Packets...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Agencies Issues (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I understand the Deputy to be referring to those independent State Agencies under the aegis of my Department which have responsibility for licensing and regulating specific economic sectors or areas of activity. In this regard, I would note that in 2012, the relevant Agencies which came under the aegis of my Department were the Private Security Authority and the Property Services Regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Agencies Issues (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 404 together. I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to semi-State bodies who have a significant element of commercial or trade activities within their remit. The bodies and agencies attached to my Department provide public services in the broad Justice area, and, as such, do not engage in any significant commercial activity.

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

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together. Following on from the last General Service Recruitment campaign in 2012 a total of 539 General Service Recruits were enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force, of which 418 were enlisted in the Army, and 121 in the Naval Service. The application phase of these competitions closed on 22 April 2012. I am advised by the Military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: My Department has not incurred any expenditure on external public relations or communications consultants since I took office in March 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The State Boards under the aegis of the Department of Defence when the Government took office were the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The Civil Defence Board was established in 2003. I appointed an interim Board as a temporary measure from 2011 and in this context none of the positions were advertised. The Civil Defence Board was identified in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Ambulance Service Provision (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together. A twelve month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service established in order to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated aeronautical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service, primarily in the West of Ireland, commenced operations on the 4th of June 2012. The review of the pilot is currently being...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total number of uncertified sick days 455 378 270 246 Average number of uncertified sick days per employee 1.14 1.00 0.72 0.66 Total number of certified sick days 4190 4043 3079 2275 Average number of certified sick days per employee 10.50 10.70 8.25 6.10 Total number of...

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

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 December in each of the years 2010 -2012 is set out in the table. 2012 2011 2010 Army 7510 7650 7752 Air Corps 791 791 766 Naval Service 1058 997 1032 Total Strength 9359 9438 9550 I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force,...

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

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 416 and 417 together. I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including equipment and up to date technology, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their roles both at home and overseas. The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Strength (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: A strategy for the replacement of Naval Service Offshore Patrol Vessels is currently in train. A contract was signed in October 2010, with Babcock Marine in the United Kingdom for the provision of two new offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The first ship is scheduled for delivery early in 2014. The second ship will follow one year later. The acquisition of these modern new vessels, combined...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Strength (18 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for the provision of search and rescue services within the Irish search and rescue region and the responsibility for the prevention of drug-trafficking and people trafficking rests primarily with the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána respectively. However, the Air Corps has a role in assisting and supporting the civil...

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

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces has a robust and comprehensive training system which incorporates a wide variety of modern training methods. Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against best international practice. Participation in ongoing overseas operations also necessitates multi lateral-training and assessment. This facilitates ongoing review of Defence Forces training...

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

Alan Shatter: The following tabular statement (Annex A) sets out the number of promotions which have occurred or are in train in the Army, Air Corps (AC) and Naval Service (NS) in each of the years 2009, 2010, 2011 2012 and to 31 May 2013, as advised by the Military Authorities. The following table (Annex B) outlines the number serving, by rank, as advised by the Military Authorities for 30 April 2013,...

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

Alan Shatter: During each EU Presidency both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held. On 12-13 February 2013, I hosted an informal meeting of EU Ministers of Defence in Dublin Castle. The Operational Commanders of three of the four current EU-led missions were also in attendance. Discussions were focused on these current operations and future proposed developments. Ireland contributes...