Results 16,401-16,420 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Senator Regan has a selective memory.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Mobile phones.

Seanad: Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Senators for their comments on this legislation which has passed through the Dáil. Obviously we would like to see its quick passage through the Seanad. I have indicated that we wish to proceed with the consolidation of all such legislation which dates back as far as 1889. During the drafting phase in my Department I was insistent that the Bill be such that it would refer not only...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The purpose of bringing additional safety cameras into operation is to reduce excessive speed on our roads, and so increase safety, not to generate revenue either for the State or the service provider. Revenue accruing to the State from the project will be paid to the Exchequer. The Exchequer provides funding for expenditure on public services, including initiatives in the area of road safety.

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that I have nothing further to add to the reply provided in respect of Question Number 251 on 16 November, 2010. As stated previously, full details of the estimate for 2010 for legal aid, both civil and criminal, are contained in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2010, while the costs for the earlier years sought are contained in the Revised Estimates volume...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 97 and 98 together. Recruitment to the Garda Reserve is ongoing and the Government is strongly committed to the development of the Reserve. The Garda Commissioner is continuing recruitment with the objective of reaching the target of 10% of the overall strength of the Force and over 80 members of the Garda Reserve are due to graduate in the Garda College...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that a visa sticker has been granted to the person referred to on 18 November 2010.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the overall costs of the policing operation for the Corrib Gas project, from the commencement of the operation in August 2005 to end-October 2010 is approximately €13,987 million. A detailed breakdown of the figures is set out in the table below. The figures do not include the basic salaries of the Gardaí who performed the duty at the Corrib...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (24 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.

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that invitations to tender for language analysis services will be advertised in the near future. In the period 1st January to 31st October this year, a total of €15,822.15 has been expended with Skandinavisk Sprakabanalys AB, Sweden (known as Sprakab) and €1,213.50 with the Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service.

Written Answers — Common Travel Area: Common Travel Area (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and the United Kingdom operate a common travel area (CTA) which facilitates unrestricted travel within that zone for citizens of both jurisdictions. The maintenance of this arrangement requires co-operation on immigration matters between Ireland and the United Kingdom, especially as the Irish courts have held that it is a fundamental public policy of the State to safeguard the...

Written Answers — Civil Partnership: Civil Partnership (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am in consultation with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social Protection with a view to commencing the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 as soon as possible, consistent with the need to make provision in the tax and social welfare codes for civil partners. While I am not in a position to provide legal advice in response to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The cost of Visa Offices attached to Irish Embassies abroad in 2009, excluding staff costs, ranged from €65,958 to €195,260. The amount of visa fee income generated in these offices far exceed these costs. The overall staffing of these functions comprised 6 Higher Executive Officers, 12 Executive Officers and 3 Clerical Officers, distributed across Visa Office locations in Abuja,...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As I have already outlined to the Deputy, in my response to Question No. 891 of 29 September 2010, neither Ireland nor the United Kingdom exercised their option to participate in Directive 2009/52/EC providing for sanctions against employers of illegally staying third country nationals within the three month period provided for in Article 3 of the Protocol on the Position of the United...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (24 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The European Commission has not commenced proceedings against Ireland in relation to Council Directive 2004/83/EC. Council Directive 2004/83/EC on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted was enacted on 29 April 2004....

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (25 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The levels of jurisdiction in the Circuit and District Courts in civil matters are being examined in my Department, taking into account necessary consultations, with a view to establishing any appropriate new levels.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of the 19 November 2010, the number of sworn members who have retired, or indicated that they will retire by the end of 2010, is 350. A breakdown of retirees on a county basis in tabular form is not readily available. I will write directly to the Deputy when I have the figures to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the promotions which have been made in An Garda Síochána on a county basis in tabular form are not readily available. I will write directly to the Deputy when I have the figures to hand. As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service continues to apply to the Garda Síochána for both sworn...

Written Answers — Restorative Justice: Restorative Justice (25 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has now examined the report on Restorative Justice provided to me by the National Commission. On foot of that examination, I am pleased to inform the Deputy and the House that the Probation Service will be introducing a scheme before the end of this year to test a range of restorative interventions for adult offenders based on the recommendations contained in the report. This...