Results 15,621-15,640 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: So far as I am concerned I can give a categorical assurance that the facility will be built. I do not accept that it is a debacle. This is a properly thought out project which is necessary for the prison population for the next 15 to 20 years. It is a vital piece of infrastructure, without which we will difficulty and adverse reports from the inspector of prisons.

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We got €59 million for Shanganagh Castle.

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Absolutely.

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Did the-----

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The tender process for the building of the 400 prison cells will start in 2011. It will depend on how long that takes. Deputy Rabbitte is trying to suggest that the building of the 400 cells will not proceed because the Estimates process is not complete. We are in negotiations with the Department on a bilateral basis. I can assure the House this project is a priority in respect of the...

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----for the building of the 400 cell spaces. Anyone who says that we are proceeding with the wall and the access road - that will remain the case - and that there will be nothing built behind it----

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----has only to look at the example of a previous prison built in the State. The wall was built first and ultimately the prison followed. We will proceed with the 400 spaces immediately in 2011.

Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am sure the Deputy will be present for the opening.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that at present there are 68 staff in the Criminal Assets Bureau of whom 37 are members of An Garda Síochána. The budgetary allocation for 2010 for the Bureau is over €8m. The Bureau is also staffed with Bureau Officers from the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection as well as analysts, legal experts and technical and...

Written Answers — Explosive Ordinance: Explosive Ordinance (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2010 (to 5th October, 2010) there have been 152 incidents involving suspected grenades, pipe-bombs or other improvised devices nationwide at which a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Device team has attended, with 196 such incidents recorded in 2009, 180 such incidents recorded in 2008 and 98 such incidents recorded in 2007. I am further...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware the development of the new prison campus at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, County Dublin is now proceeding on a phased basis. Phase one, which is currently in progress, comprises essential preliminary works to facilitate the prison development including the construction of a dedicated access road, the installation of off-site services and the construction of the...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 makes provision for the test purchasing of alcohol products. It also provides that the Minister for Justice and Law Reform shall issue guidelines in respect of the procedures to be followed with respect of the practical operation of the scheme following consultation with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Health and Children. I am...

Written Answers — Control of Firearms: Control of Firearms (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In setting the policing priorities for An Garda Síochána in 2010, I have asked the Commissioner to continue the focus of the force on serious crime, in particular organised crime. This priority is reflected in the Garda Policing Plan for this year, which sets out a commitment to proactively target groups and individuals engaged in organised crime. To this end, An Garda Síochána is...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to solicit in a street or public place for the purpose of prostitution. The offence can be committed by the prostitute, the client or a third party - a pimp, for example. The Act also provides for offences such as organising prostitution, coercing or compelling a person to be a prostitute, knowingly living on the earnings of a...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the C&AG report acknowledges, increased civilian support for the Garda Síochána does not exclusively take the form of one-for-one replacement of individual Gardaí by civilian staff. Of course, in some instances, civilianisation does indeed enable the direct replacement of Gardaí who are engaged in exclusively clerical, administrative or technical duties by civilian staff. In a great...

Written Answers — Garda Promotions: Garda Promotions (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service applies to the Garda Síochána, both sworn members and civilian support staff. The situation is continually kept under review in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and derogations can be sought in exceptional circumstances from the Minister for Finance. I received sanction from the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, on the latest date for which figures are available, the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 14,615. This figure includes 400 probationer Gardaí who have been attested and will graduate over the next six months. On that date there were also 9 unattested students in training. In relation to retirements, 236 members of the Force have so...

Written Answers — Garda Interpreters: Garda Interpreters (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The provision of interpretation for the Garda Síochána is primarily an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. I have been informed by the Commissioner that a range of interpretation services is available to the Force in accordance with contracts that have been put in place. These services operate where persons have been detained and in other circumstances, as required, and the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division was 402 on 31 December 2007 and 406 on 31 August 2010. These Divisional resources are augmented by relevant Garda national units as and when deemed necessary. For operational reasons it is not the practice to comment on specific anti-terrorism measures relating to the security of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I understand from the Garda Commissioner that, in the course of preparing a comprehensive investigation file into the criminal activities of an organised criminal group for consideration by the DPP, a small but nonetheless important portion of the investigation file was brought under Garda supervision to the premises in question. During the course of the Garda visit to the premises, and...