Results 15,241-15,260 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: I seem not to have switched off my telephone. Perhaps the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will give me a moment of extra time just to deal with that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: I thought that I had switched it off. As the Deputy is aware, I have secured the approval of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, for a recruitment competition for the Garda Síochána. There are a number of procedural issues that need to be finalised prior to the formal commencement of that competition and these are expected to conclude in the coming...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: The simple answer is that I share the Commissioner's view. The number in the Garda force as of today, based on retirements to date this year, is 13,190. I do not know how many further retirements we will have before the end of this year. From recollection, and I think I am right in this, the number of members of the force we had at the end of December 2012 was 13,430. If I am ten out in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: Gardaí do a great deal more than providing a basic level of service. In the context of the current numbers in An Garda Síochána, they are providing an efficient and effective service which includes not just crime investigation but also crime prevention. If that was not the case we would not have seen a drop of over 20,000 in the number of offences that were recorded as being...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: It is that type of smart policing that has successfully resulted in the region of 6,500 individuals intent on, or engaged in, burglary being arrested. In the region of 3,500 charges have been brought against individuals. I pay tribute to the work of An Garda Síochána and we should not forget that we currently have in excess of 1,200 members of the Garda reserve. In addition we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Recruitment (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: Those issues will be dealt with in the context of where we are moving towards. The Deputy is labouring under an illusion as to where Garda numbers might be in 12 to 18 months time. I cannot predict with certainty where numbers may be then. It may well be that next year we will have 100 more than 13,000 or 50 fewer than 13,000. As regards overall Garda strength, however, the objective is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: The report of April 2013 from the Garda Síochána Professional Standards Unit looked at the processes and systems which are in place concerning the cancellation of fixed charge processing notices. The report complements the report prepared by Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney of his examination into the allegations of irregularities in the operation of the fixed charge...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: I do not disagree with the Deputy. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that a circular with revised cancellation procedures in regard to fixed charge notices issued to all members of the Garda Síochána on 30 August last. This particular directive may be further advised on foot of any recommendations that may be received by the Garda Inspectorate. In the context of the new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: In addition, humanitarian grounds may be included as a discretionary reason when considering cancellation of fixed charge notices.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: Special provisions have been put in place with regard to any conflict of interest that could arise concerning personnel, public figures, members of An Garda Síochána and immediate relatives of an applicant and in respect of a number of other matters of importance. Provision is also made for auditing.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: Unfortunately, it is not possible to give all the detail in response to the Deputy's question.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: I did not pour cold water on anything. I merely made the point that in the context of the investigation conducted and the outcome of same some exotic decisions had been made. There were issues to be addressed and answered but some of the allegations made, such as in regard to fixed charge notices and road fatalities, were proved entirely untrue. Unfortunately, the individual who made those...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: -----they must sign and date the certified fixed charge notice cancellation form with the decision to cancel or reject the cancellation request and include a rationale for that decision; notify the applicant in writing when the application is rejected; forward the certified fixed charge notice cancellation letters form the FCPO for termination via e-mail at fcncancellationgarda.ie when the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: There are now very clear and indisputable provisions set out in this regard.

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: There is no provision for solitary confinement in the Irish Prison Service. However, the Deputy will appreciate that, on occasion, it is necessary for vulnerable prisoners and others to be separated from the general prison population. The restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors including, the protection of vulnerable prisoners. This is provided for under...

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: I congratulate the Deputy on his party's newfound concern for prisoners. For 14 years, during which hardly a person moved in this country without the Deputy's party throwing money at them-----

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: -----the Government essentially ignored our prison system, left prisoners living in conditions that were indefensible and failed to build the additional prison places required or implement the reforms necessary in the prison system.

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: Despite the current financial difficulties, in the past two and a half years a new wing has been built on Midlands Prison, construction is starting in Cork to provide a new prison, a new wing is being added to Limerick Prison and there has been a complete refurbishment of Mountjoy Prison. During the Deputy's party's time in government, we were told it was not possible, in any circumstances,...

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: I will look into the matter Deputy Clare Daly has raised. On in-cell sanitation, we should provide in-cell sanitation in all prisons where it is currently absent. We are rolling out and completing an in-cell sanitation programme in Mountjoy Prison and, subject to the resources available to me, it is my objective to ensure we address this matter in all of our prisons. One of the reasons...

Other Questions: North-South Co-operation (25 Sep 2013)

Alan Shatter: Co-operation in policing and criminal justice on this island is a matter in which I have taken a particular interest since taking office as Minister. This co-operation takes place across many strands and at many levels from frequent ministerial meetings to day-to-day operational interaction between the police services and other justice agencies. I maintain very regular contact with the...