Results 1,501-1,520 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I re-emphasise that we are not seeking to create new categories of custody. The advice of the Attorney General is clear, namely, that the amendment is unnecessary. In that context, I cannot accept the amendment.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: If I can envisage such another capacity, will the Senator withdraw her amendment?

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Again, I must reject this proposed amendment. If I were to accept the amendment, it would have a limiting effect on the purpose of temporary custody under the Bill. It would limit that purpose to a person's participation in a hearing as a witness only. The intention of the Bill is to ensure flexibility to allow for other reasons for that person's presence in court, such as to observe...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I understand both the impetus behind the amendment and what the Senator is seeking to achieve. We have given the amendment some careful consideration. The Bill provides for temporary custody in the very limited circumstances outlined in section 7. This temporary custody is sui generis and limited in scope. The most important aspects of a person's treatment, that is, being kept safe and...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The only persons this Bill affects are people who are already in custody. They are either a prisoner or a person who is already lawfully in custody of the Garda. The Bill, as I already stated, does not create some new form of custody. If the person concerned is a prisoner, then he or she remains subject to and under the protection of the existing prison rules and regulations. If the...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Senator Bacik recognises the various regulations that already exist. This provision for the Minister may be appropriate because of the temporary nature of the custody involved in transferring it from one group to another. As a result of that, I oppose the amendment.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (12 Nov 2009)

John Curran: We have already had the debate on this. I have outlined our reasons for opposing it, although I understand it. I have given consideration to the amendment having looked at it before, but I have not changed my position following the debate here, so I will be opposing it. Amendment lapsed. Bill be received for final consideration and passed.

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: A total of 17 actions, Nos. 2 to 18, inclusive, of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-20016 are included under the supply reduction pillar. The objectives of this pillar are to significantly reduce the volume of illicit drugs; to prevent the emergence of new markets for illicit drugs; to disrupt the activities of organised criminal networks; to target the income generated through illicit drug...

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The specific question asked by the Deputy regarding private airfields and so on perhaps should not be directed towards the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand it falls more properly under the remit of the Revenue Commissioners. I have met the Revenue Commissioners who have advised me that the traffic coming through such airports is profiled and that the Revenue...

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I disagree with the Deputy when he states that nothing is being done. As I noted, every flight into a private airport is regulated and monitored. The customs service, based on its information, decides on whether to perform a check. This is a small island nation and the risk is as great from the sea. I note that seizures made in this regard have been made at sea rather than at airports....

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: The drug prevalence statistics contained in the recently published report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction were compiled from the latest figures available for individual countries. In the case of Ireland, they reflect the outcome of the all-island drug prevalence survey 2006 to 2007, which provides the best estimate of the drug prevalence. One of the findings...

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: In reply to Deputy Byrne I wish to be clear that this EMCDDA report ranked Ireland fourth in terms of cocaine use. However, the report is specific in stating that cocaine use is primarily seen in western Europe, in Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom. I am not trying to diminish the significance of the problem but other countries which do not have a cocaine problem tend to...

National Drugs Strategy. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I agree with the Deputy that prevention is the key. I refer to those who are currently addicted and are looking for treatment. The figures referred to are for 2006 to 2007. It is a concern that during times of recession, the emergence of heroin use can pose a significant problem. I have had discussions with the HSE. It was decided in the past month to have additional clinical services up...

Community Supports for Older People. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 71 and 325 together. Deputies will be aware that I suspended funding for the scheme of community supports for older people earlier this year pending the completion of a comprehensive review of its operations by my Department. That review is now completed and is being considered. Pending the establishment of new arrangements, I lifted the suspension at...

Community Supports for Older People. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I will try to give Deputy Ring straight answers. First, the scheme is open. Second, 4,500 people have availed of it to date. Third, I have applications on hand, received prior to 21 October in respect of approximately 1,800 people. As I said at the time, it is my intention that all these will be dealt with before Christmas. There were 840 pre-registered groups and 20 additional ones,...

Community Supports for Older People. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: Regarding the 1,800 people I mentioned, there is funding. Next year's budget will bring a figure, whatever it may be. That is part of the budgetary process as the Deputies know well. It is intended that the scheme will run next year. We have done a report and there are various recommendations and so on to consider. I have just received them. While the scheme is generally working well,...

Community Supports for Older People. (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I have no problem making the report available in any format. I ask the Deputy to give me an opportunity to deal with the matter for a week or so first.

International Human Trafficking: Motion (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak about this important issue. The debate on human trafficking and on prostitution tends to be clouded by emotive argument often based on preconceived opinion rather than on evidence or practice on the ground. I will seek to expand on some of the points made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and base my...

International Human Trafficking: Motion (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I believe this example gives some indication of the complexities in the work done by the Garda Síochána in the context of trafficking. In order to address issues such as these, I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that a thorough and internationally recognised system of victim identification is in place. All information that is available to the Garda Síochána at the time the case...

Written Answers — Volunteer Centres: Volunteer Centres (17 Nov 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 103 together. My Department funds a network of 21 volunteer centres across the country. The Volunteer Centres are based in the following locations: Carlow, Cork, Drogheda, Donegal, Dublin City North, Dublin City South, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Limerick City, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Sligo, South Dublin County, South...