Results 15,081-15,100 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department in a readily accessible format and attempting to retrieve it would involve a disproportionate dedication of staff resources.

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have been advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that it has not been possible to compile all of the information regarding prisoner participation in the Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate in the time available. However, the information is being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. I can however...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The allocation for Staff Training and Development in my Department for 2010 was €400,000. This figure does not include the operational costs of the Department's Corporate Learning Unit such as staffing costs. In June 2010 the allocation was reduced to €370,000 following the transfer of my Department's responsibility for Equality and Human Rights, along with the staff engaged in this...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: These amendments are technical and relate to the hydroponic cultivation of plants. Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 only relates to specified plants. The references to fungi, natural organisms and substances are not appropriate and should be removed therefore.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: These are minor technical amendments.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The purpose of this group, which amends sections 7, 8 and 11, is to clarify that a prohibition order addressed to a person may also specify the place to which it relates if it is appropriate to do so. It is an important clarification because breaching a prohibition order will be a criminal offence and a court may impose a closure order on the place related to a person's conviction.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This amendment to section 8 deals with an issue raised on Second Stage of the debate in the Dáil by Deputy Shatter. It relates to the holding of District Court sittings during vacation periods and we have drafted an amendment which takes care of that point.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that a Garda entering a dwelling on foot of a search warrant may, if necessary, use reasonable force to effect such entry.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This is a minor technical amendment to clarify the wording of section 13.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The purpose of amendment No. 39 is to clarify the application of the power under section 13(2) of the Bill regarding searches of persons where that power is used by a customs officer. The purpose of amendment No. 40 is to deal with cases where a psychoactive substance is being imported or exported by post or a courier service. In such a case the powers under sections 12 and 13 cannot apply...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This is just to clarify the provisions regarding the analysis of samples by the forensic science laboratory or other designated laboratories.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Senators for facilitating the quick passage of this Bill and I did likewise in the Dáil. I hope it will be signed into law very quickly and that the Garda Síochána will begin implementing its provisions immediately thereafter.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009 is among the most progressive legislation to come to this House in its long history. It enjoys the support of all parties - although there are individuals who have issues in respect of it - which is significant in that it shows that the measures it contains have the broad support of the people. The level of...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----and not across the airwaves.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We are here to examine this legislation. The Government has spent a considerable amount of time on it and my Department and my officials have spent a considerable amount of time adapting the balance that is required in it. It is similar to some other legislation I have had to bring in where there has been a complete misunderstanding and, in some instances, a complete purposeful...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I genuinely thank Senators for what I believe was a fantastic debate. Despite the fear of getting criticism yet again from a particular Deputy in the other House, every time I take a Bill to the other House having debated it here, I always mention that there was - as there always is - an excellent debate in the Seanad. A particular Deputy suggested that I might have a hankering to join the...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I know Senator Fitzgerald's leader held on by the skin of his teeth because of the support of the Senators in the recent challenge.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Without people such as Senator Fitzgerald he would not have survived. Today's debate does everyone credit. I have personal friends who spoke against the Bill. I genuinely understand the conviction they have on the matter. While I do not agree with it, I respect their views and the way in which they expressed them. Senator Phelan is correct. The decision to introduce the Bill is not just...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: When I concluded on Second Stage I said this had been one of the best debates in the past 23 years. I hope I will not have to retract that statement at the end of the evening or whenever this Bill passes. I cannot understand this amendment and cannot put that point better than Senator McDonald did. Before I came into this House I was a member of a partnership although it was not a civil...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been somewhat of a bystander during this debate on children. I have no doubt this Bill will be tested in the courts at some stage, so I think it is appropriate I put on record the reasoned view the Government has on the proposed amendments. Under the Family Home Protection Act, a spouse may be considered by the court reasonably to withhold consent to the conveyance of the family home,...