Results 17,101-17,120 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: No. The phasing out continues until 2015. The first reduction in payments was effected in 2013, the second is 2014, this year, and the third will be 2015. In effect, the total available fund in 2013 was €4 million, in 2014 it is €2 million and in 2015 it will be €1 million. It will not be fully and finally phased out until 2016. The purpose and intent behind this is...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I may have to come back to Deputy Collins on that matter. I think it relates to dealing with visa applications and fees payable on foot of visa applications. As a result of the visa waiver programme, a considerable number of people who travel to the UK from outside the EU do not require visas in this State and have come on to visit this State. When we put that scheme in place, we envisaged...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am pleased to appear before the select committee after the long gap of time since I was last before it dealing with important financial and other issues. Today the committee is considering the 2014 Estimates for Defence and Army Pensions. I intend to give a short opening statement as opposed to a long statement, after which I will be happy to take questions from members. I know that...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I do not have the exact figure to hand. The payment of family income supplement is reflective of the particular family circumstances and background of individual personnel. Issues relating to pay in the Defence Forces were addressed in the context of the Haddington Road agreement, the negotiations for which included engagement by the Defence Forces representative bodies. I cannot add a...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: Unfortunately, there is not. It is an issue we considered carefully. There has been substantial reorganisation in the Defence Forces, which was necessary to achieve the appropriate numbers of personnel across the range of areas and duties and ensure we did not have numbers at officer or senior officer level beyond what was required. We must use our resources wisely. The 21-year rule was...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: That information would be statistically available and I will revert to the Chairman in respect of it. In the context of what I was saying with regard to the huge importance of both renewal and the decision the Government made in the late autumn of 2011 to maintain the strength of the Defence Forces at 9,500, in 2008, when the financial crisis struck and the economic collapse began, some 556...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: That is correct. As a result of the reorganisation of the RDF, we have a very clear view - I still have to obtain the final figures - in respect of those who are active members and those who are no longer active. This is a very important issue. I anticipate that I will have final visibility in respect of this matter in a very short period. The likelihood is that we will then be recruiting...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: Whether one is referring to aeroplanes or helicopters, the crucial issue which arises relates to the need to ensure that they are properly maintained, serviced and checked and are absolutely safe to use. As everyone is aware, the State has limited funds and resources and the question of whether we might, at some point in the future, invest in new aircraft has not really been on the agenda....

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: It is an issue of maintenance, not of age. Many of the parts in the aircraft have been substantially replaced and they are not remotely 20 years old; some of them would be very recent. An annual maintenance is undertaken on all of them. In dealing with the Estimates on this, one cannot be absolutely right in one's predictions because it can vary. A substantial sum can be spent one year...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: As part of the arrangements for the first two vessels, there was an option for a third vessel. As I understand it, that option is still a possibility. In that context there is an issue with regard to terms of contract, price and when it might be delivered. My focus at present is on the delivery of our first one. It is appropriate that we have called it the Samuel Beckett. It was one of...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I will take entire responsibility for that. There was a tradition of using Irish female names, substantially the names of mythical Irish females. I gave some thought to this, discussed it with colleagues and we discussed it within the Department. Our naval vessels on occasions visit ports abroad as flagships of this State, engage in events internationally, as we ask other states to engage...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have no difficulty with that.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (29 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I thank the members of the committee for their assistance and co-operation in this morning's session. I will see all of them again this afternoon.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (30 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I intend to seek Government approval very soon for the General Scheme of a Bill to replace the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 with modern provisions dealing with community sanctions and the role of the Probation Service in the criminal justice system. The replacement of the Court Poor Box with a transparent statutory Reparation Fund, which has been recommended by the Law Reform Commission,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Expenditure (30 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: I wish to advise the Deputy that the collation of the information, as requested, for the time period since 1987 would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and could not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources. I should be in a position to provide the requested information for the period from 1 July 2004...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries Issues (30 Jan 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, based on the recommendations made by Judge Quirke, the Government established an ex gratia scheme for the benefit of those women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries, St Mary's Training Centre, Stanhope St. and House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford. As per the terms of the ex gratia scheme, applicants who are determined to be...