Results 14,801-14,820 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is very committed to tackling the scourge of domestic violence in this country. It is a very complex issue and a broad range of action is being taken across the country by many State and Non-State organisations to prevent and respond effectively to this often hidden crime. A clear signal of government concern and commitment to this matter was the establishment in June 2007 of...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It should be noted that under the criminal law as it stands at present, it is not an offence, in itself, to sell sex. In general, it is not an offence, to purchase sex either. Consequently, neither party to the transaction is currently criminalised. In this jurisdiction, the criminal law governing prostitution is aimed at protecting society from the more intrusive aspects of such activity...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no investigation being carried out at present into the particular reports mentioned in the Deputy's question. I am further informed that no complaint has been received by the Gardaí in respect of the alleged photographing of crew members of the ship Rachel Corrie. Nevertheless, if any person has credible information that any alleged...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2010, up to 24 June, ten gang related murders were recorded. In addition, the House will be aware of the two appalling killings in Ronanstown last Monday evening. I deplore all such killings. They are further evidence of the callous disregard for human life and community safety shown by members of criminal gangs. The Gardaí are carrying out...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 54 together. The Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Questions that the consultation phase of the major review of gambling, initiated by me, has drawn to a close. I was pleased that over 70 organisations and groups considered the topic important enough to submit written submissions, and that many followed up those submissions with...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that prisoners in custody in the Dóchas Centre are generally granted temporary release, for the duration of their hospital stay, under the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. This discretionary instrument makes provision for the Minister to approve the temporary release of a sentenced prisoner in...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Commission of Investigation's report on the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin was published last November in accordance with directions of the High Court. The Commission is at present examining the Diocese of Cloyne, and the Government has extended its term to 31 October to allow this work to be completed. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Assistant...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, who have responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that significant refurbishment work...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all Divisions within the Dublin Metropolitan, Eastern and Southern Regions have now successfully migrated to the new National Digital Radio Service following commencement of the rollout last year. Rollout of the system in both the Western and South-Eastern Regions is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Nationwide rollout is on schedule...

Written Answers — Prison Inspectorate: Prison Inspectorate (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have personally met with the Inspector of Prisons on a number of occasions both formally and informally since his appointment in order to receive his reports and to hear his views on matters pertinent to his office.The current Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, took up his appointment in January 2008. In his Interim Report , following his...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 65 together. Increased civilian support for the Garda Síochána does not exclusively take the form of one for one replacement of individual Gardaí with civilians. In some instances, civilianisation does indeed enable the direct replacement of sworn members, who are engaged in exclusively clerical, administrative or technical duties, with civilian...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As I have previously indicated to the House, the report on Mountjoy Prison by the Inspector of Prisons has been considered by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service and his Senior Management Team. A number of the Inspector's recommendations have been implemented or are in the course of being implemented, subject to the availability of resources. The newly refurbished Separation...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Policy on affording protections for whistleblowers generally is not a matter solely for myself as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. As I indicated in the Dáil, on 16 June 2010, in the course of the Committee Stage Debate on the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008, it has been Government policy for some years to provide protection for whistleblowers on a sectoral...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 provides that the Minister may approve the temporary release of a sentenced prisoner and establishes the criteria to be applied. This discretionary instrument assists in gradually preparing suitable offenders for release, in administering short sentences, in addressing humanitarian...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that work on the development of a White Paper on Crime, due for publication in 2011, is progressing well in my Department. A key part of the process involves the publication of a series of discussion documents, each of which is designed to give structure to the broad range of issues which arise in this field. Submissions are invited from members of the public and...

Written Answers — Court Orders: Court Orders (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 89 together. There are a number of provisions in the law for ensuring that payments continue to be made by spouses in support of their dependent spouses and children. They include enabling powers for the courts to order attachment of the earnings of a debtor spouse, to order the securing of payments to the maintenance creditor, to order the payment of...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am fully aware of the issue referred to by the Deputy. Re-entry visas are processed by Re-entry Visa Public Office of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). The Public office processes over 60,000 re-entry visa applications a year. The Public Office normally offers a fast, efficient service and deals with everyone who calls into the office on any given day. However,...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to developing a new prison campus at Thornton Hall, County Dublin. The new prison facility will provide accommodation for 1,400 cells with operational flexibility to accommodate up to 2,200 in a range of security settings. The development is now proceeding on a phased basis with phase one comprising essential enabling works required for...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (30 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service as part of their policy "Keeping Drugs Out of Prison" continue to expand the range of drug treatment services available in prisons. Significant investment has been committed in recent years to respond to addiction issues in the prison system. Drug rehabilitation programmes for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and...