Results 16,241-16,260 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern
- Garda Investigations (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: I am not aware of when the discussions with the two people will be held, but I understand one has already been interviewed and the other, who is a third party and a relative of some of the people involved in the incident, will be interviewed in due course. There was serious concern in and around the time of the trial and subsequent to it. There were also suggestions that it be re-opened. If...
- Garda Investigations (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: The issue goes back as far as 1985 or 1986. At this remove and due to the separation of powers, it would not be appropriate for the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to comment on the holding of and procedure followed in the trial by the judge in question. In the aftermath of the acquittal and the closing of the criminal trial, significant efforts were made to re-open it. On 9 December...
- Garda Investigations (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: It would be entirely a matter for the Garda to decide. It has received representations from two people. The Garda Commissioner has appointed a detective superintendent to prepare a report and interview the people concerned. If the detective superintendent believes other people should be interviewed as a result, I have no doubt he will do so. Deputy Shatter is correct regarding the...
- Garda Investigations (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: The appropriate authority is the Garda where the investigation of criminal aspects is concerned. Regarding the investigation at the time, the then Minister stated: I wish to make the point that the State took every possible step to ensure the full facts of the case emerged at the inquest. Senior and junior counsel were appointed to represent the State and all of the statements made to the...
- Garda Investigations (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: Yes, but there is already a request for a reopening of this issue by the people concerned to the Garda Commissioner and the Garda authorities. A process is now in train and a detective superintendent has been asked to produce a file.
- Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: The issue of upward only rent review clauses, and the difficulties which rigid adherence to such clauses is causing for the retail sector in current economic circumstances, has been raised with me by various retail and tenant groups. I have been very consistent in espousing the view that there is a need for a flexible and pragmatic approach to rent review negotiations arising in the context...
- Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: I would be loth to criminalise the giving of incentives regarding leases because that, in effect, would be to criminalise contractual discussions and negotiations between two people who have free will and are probably well advised. I suggest that criminalising that type of activity, even though people might not be too happy with it, would be very detrimental to the property market, which is...
- Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: The purpose of the database is to ensure as much information as possible is made available publicly thus ensuring a transparent process which will provide individuals with relevant information in regard to the vicinity of the particular location wherein they intend to rent. We believe the property services regulatory authority is the relevant authority to provide this database. The Deputy...
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: On 15 November 2010, there were 4,416 prisoners in custody as compared to a bed capacity of 4,430. This represents an occupancy level of 100%. A table detailing the numbers in custody in each prison is being provided to the Deputy. It should be noted that the Irish Prison Service does not record or breakdown costs per individual prison, rather figures are based on three categories, namely,...
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: A response in regard to a later question deals with the issue of Thornton Hall. I have tried to deal with the issue of prison committals in the long, medium and short term, the long term response being Thornton Hall. A response to a later question in regard to Thornton Hall clearly indicates that the Government is moving on Thornton Hall. It is expected that, all things being equal, the...
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: It is the case that numbers have risen exponentially during the past number of years. This is as a result of there being more Garda and Garda activity on the streets. Garda numbers have increased from 11,500 to 14,600.
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: Perhaps Deputy Rabbitte is dense. The fact that there are more Garda on the streets means there is more Garda, court and judicial activity. The increase in the number of cases before the District Court is as a result of increased activity and investment.
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: Given this, many more people are being convicted. It is the case that-----
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: -----as much as possible in regard to young people is being done. There are 100 juvenile diversion projects in place around the country to try to divert young people away from crime.
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: Ultimately, if a young person commits a crime he or she will be sent to prison. Plans are progressing on the provision of a new detention centre for those under 18 at Oberstown. How many prisoners who should currently feature in jail as part of the figures the Minister has given Deputy O'Keeffe are absconding? There were 401 absconding prisoners as of September as far as I can recollect....
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: At any time, there are a number of people who have absconded for whatever reason. For example, people who are due to report to a Garda station are regarded as having breached the warrant issued if they fail to do so and every effort is made by the Garda to apprehend them. That has always been the case, no matter who has been in office.
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: I do not have the figures. The Deputy did not ask that question.
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: I have forgotten the other issue because of the interruptions.
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: We have passed an innovative Fines Act which will commence------
- Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)
Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should get real.