Results 16,101-16,120 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities, which assist the Commission for Taxi Regulation and issue small public service licences, that they have received no reports of cloning of taxi plates. Any such reports received will be investigated.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs is responsible for the Charities Act 2009 and he has advised me that section 99 of the Act has been brought into operation. I have also been informed, however, that the section is the subject of a constitutional challenge which is currently pending on appeal before the Supreme Court.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Neither my Department nor the Garda Síochána have any function in relation to the regulation of legal transactions in jewellery and gold. The informal purchase of jewellery and precious items is not specifically regulated in criminal legislation; however, the circumstances under which they are bought or sold may indicate the commission of certain offences. For example, the handling of...

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A Visiting Committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order, 1925. The function of Visiting Committees is to visit at frequent intervals the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to me any abuses observed or found by them in the prison...

Written Answers — Official Transport: Official Transport (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: An Office Holder car is provided, pursuant to a long standing arrangement, for the Chief Justice. Garda drivers are provided for judges under specific circumstances. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the extent and level of protection afforded to members of the judiciary.

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together. Firstly, I would point out that the Refugee Appeals Tribunal is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions under the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended). The Chairman of the Tribunal is obliged under the Act to ensure that the business of the Tribunal is managed efficiently and that the business assigned to members is disposed...

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that owing to the confidentiality provisions of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), it is not the practice to comment in any respect in relation to asylum applications which might be pending. Details in relation to the overall costs to the taxpayer arising from the attendance of applicants at Tribunal hearings are not readily available as the costs involved are spread...

Written Answers — Subsidiary Protection: Subsidiary Protection (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Subsidiary Protection (SP) under the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 is a form of international protection offered to those persons who do not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee but who nonetheless claim a risk of serious harm in their country of origin if repatriated there. Each application for Subsidiary Protection in the...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that in the last three years there were only three confirmed cases of Tuberculosis and only one of Swine Flu amongst the prisoner population. In relation to Smallpox, the World Health Organisation certified the eradication of this disease in 1979. This was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1980. As the gathering of information on the number of influenza cases...

Written Answers — Temporary Release of Prisoners: Temporary Release of Prisoners (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The vast majority of the persons referred to are at large because of a technical breach, i.e., failing to sign on at the prison at an allotted time having been granted temporary release. I can advise the Deputy that the number of persons who have been granted temporary release from prison and were classified as unlawfully at large as of 26 October 2010 was 539. A significant number are...

Written Answers — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (9 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested is not available. I also wish to inform the Deputy that the overwhelming majority of clocks in my Department, such as those on computer and telephone systems, are electronic in nature and the time adjustments concerned take place automatically giving rise to no additional costs.

Business of Dáil (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Does the Opposition want a head again?

Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear. Absolutely.

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all applicants for Garda trainees selected by the Public Appointments Service undergo a Physical Competency Test, a Medical Examination and also Character Vetting prior to appointment. However, the general moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the Public Service continues to apply to An Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The matters referred to by the Deputy remain under Garda investigation and it would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Custodial Treatment: Custodial Treatment (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations 1987 as amended, prescribe the standards for the treatment of persons detained in Garda custody. Those regulations provide that the member in charge of a Garda Station shall, without delay, inform an arrested person (or cause him/her to be informed) that he/she is entitled to consult a...

Written Answers — Custodial Treatment: Custodial Treatment (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations 1987 as amended, prescribe the standards for the treatment of persons detained in Garda custody. The regulations provide inter alia that if a person in custody appears to the member in charge to need medical attention, then he or she shall summon a doctor or cause one to be summoned...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy. In a judgement on 4 December, 2007 the High Court held section 3 of the Vagrancy...

Written Answers — Illegal Fireworks: Illegal Fireworks (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that up to 2 November, 2010, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 164 seizures of fireworks with an estimated value of €59,316. These statistics are operational and liable to change. I am further informed that during the Halloween period appropriate policing measures were put in place in every Garda Division and District as...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (10 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together. I am informed that the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, has statutory responsibility for the testing, approval and supply of roadside breath screening devices to An Garda Síochána. I am also informed that Garda management is satisfied that there are sufficient devices available to...