Results 15,521-15,540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (5 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The granting of Irish Citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour and not an entitlement. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One such condition is that the Minister must be...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (5 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Citizenship Division of my Department that statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Commercial Rent Reviews: Commercial Rent Reviews (5 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have undertaken to progress the recommendations of the Working Group on transparency in commercial rent reviews contained in the report which was published in August. The Working Group recommended the establishment of a public database containing relevant details of letting arrangements and rent reviews in the commercial property market. An appropriate amendment is being developed within...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (5 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I met with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford MLA and Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill MSP on 27 September 2010 at Stephenstown Pond in Co. Louth. The genesis of this meeting lies in discussions in bilateral meetings I had previously held with both Ministers. I met with Mr MacAskill in April 2010, to build on contact at official level and with a view to...

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Order for Second Stage (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This new Bill represents a further development and enhancement of the provisions contained in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 and takes account of concerns and amendments put forward during the debates on that Bill. Deputies will recall that the Committee Stage debate was particularly detailed and lasted almost 33 hours...

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In fairness, that is not the case. I said that they were amendments of Government amendments.

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No I did not.

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I thank all Deputies for their contributions to the debate. The issue has been discussed at length in the context of the 2008 Bill. I thank Deputies on all sides, especially Opposition spokespersons, for facilitating the withdrawal of the 2008 Bill and the introduction of an amended Bill. I accept the compliments they have made to the effect that this Bill is better than the original....

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: No, it will not. We have indicated in the Bill that we will provide statistical data. The model-----

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A substantial number of sections relate to statistical data, which was another matter discussed on Committee Stage when I accepted that, heretofore, a body of information had not been built up to provide lawyers, NGOs and so on an opportunity to examine the trends and carry out research. As we undertook to do, the Bill contains provisions in this respect.

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We need to distinguish between the type of decision being made in a protection case and those that arise in respect of an immigration permission. Protection matters are governed by our international commitments and are determined by reference to international standards in a rigorous manner. This is as it must be, given the issues involved. On the other hand, immigration decisions are at...

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am not sure. As the Deputy knows, most of the amendments we introduced are contained in the Bill. I am advised there are to be a number of small amendments which will be put to me next week for consideration. Committee Stage will follow. Obviously, we will give the Opposition notice. The Bill has been published for some time, has it not?

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It will be a short time afterwards.

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Yes.

Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010: Referral to Select Committee (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Directive 2009/52/EC provides for minimum standards on sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third country nationals. The Directive is targeted at the illegal employment of third country nationals in order to counteract illegal immigration. It provides minimum standards on sanctions and measures, including disqualification from public benefits, and, in serious cases,...

Written Answers — Child Abduction: Child Abduction (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my written reply to Question No. 268 of 5 October 2010. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Long Term Residency is an administrative scheme that was introduced in May 2004 and is focused on persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/working visa conditions. Such persons may apply to the Long Term Residency Unit of my Department for a five year residency extension. The Long Term Residency Unit processed a...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (6 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Commissioner and I signed the contract for an outsourced safety camera network with the preferred service provider in November, 2009 following a tender and evaluation process. In accordance with the provisions of the contract, following the necessary preparatory work, roll-out of the national safety camera network is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and will reach full...