Results 2,161-2,180 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Excessive or inappropriate speeding is a significant contributory factor in road traffic collisions. As part of the Road Safety Strategy 2007 - 2012 and in accordance with the strategic goals of the Garda Síochána Policing Plan, a targeted approach to speed enforcement is being undertaken in order to significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and serious injuries on our roads and improve...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 24 June 2010. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In response to correspondence from the individual referred to by the Deputy, I sought a report from the Garda authorities on the matters raised. The correspondence in question did not raise the claim that Government officials were buying guns. I was informed by the Garda authorities that the person in question made a number of allegations of unlawful activity and inaction by the Garda...

Written Answers — Maintenance Orders: Maintenance Orders (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together. There are a number of provisions in the law for ensuring that payments continue to be made by spouses in support of their dependent spouses and children. They include enabling powers for the courts to order attachment of the earnings of a debtor spouse, to order the securing of payments to the maintenance creditor, to order the payment...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 324 on 18 May 2010. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in October 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in January 2010. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2008. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More...

Written Answers — Garda Promotions: Garda Promotions (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Promotions to the ranks of Superintendent and Chief Superintendent in An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations, 2006 and there are no plans to amend these regulations.

Written Answers — Proceeds of Crime: Proceeds of Crime (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a statutory body which operates under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 and utilises the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996 and 2005 (as amended) as well as Revenue and Social Welfare legislation to target the proceeds of criminal conduct. Under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Legislation CAB may apply to the High Court to obtain...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The laws governing prostitution provide a robust regime aimed at protecting society from a public order perspective from the more intrusive aspects of prostitution while also protecting prostitutes from exploitation. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to solicit or importune another person on a street or public place for the purpose of prostitution. The offence...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (29 Jun 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 — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Section 23 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 provides that a person who publishes or causes to be published, or distributes or causes to be distributed, an advertisement which advertises a brothel or the services of a prostitute in the State or any premises or service in the State in terms, circumstances or manner which gives rise to the reasonable inference that the premises is...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the location referred to is in the Clontarf Sub-District. Local Garda management is not aware of an incident of the type referred to by the Deputy having occurred at the location. I am further informed that a member of the local Community Policing Unit attempted to contact the person referred to concerning such an incident. However, no response...

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We know the Deputy is an accountant - she has told us before.

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

Dermot Ahern: The status of diplomatic and other staff of foreign missions, including private domestic workers or private servants employed by diplomats, is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 which, under the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, has the force of law in the State. The Convention provides that the sending state must notify the Ministry of Foreign...

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

Dermot Ahern: Based on the information provided by the Deputy and in the absence of specific detail, I am unable to provide a substantive response. I can however advise that it is the general policy of the Visa Office, Beijing to refuse visas to a group of individuals travelling together where one individual in the party submits false, fraudulent or misleading information. The discovery of false,...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 157 of 9 June 2010, Visa Officers are provided with on the job training and support by more experienced Visa Officers in the section. This approach is considered to be the most logical and indeed best suited to delivering a quality customer service to visa required nationals. In general, a...

Written Answers — Traffic Fines: Traffic Fines (24 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána enforce the law on cycling on footpaths on an ongoing basis as part of their normal duties. In addition to the day to day enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, breaches of the legislation in respect of pedal cycle behaviour is regularly targeted by way of various Garda operations. I am also...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (24 Jun 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit, operating within the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is responsible for the investigation of criminal offences involving child pornography. The Unit contains trained specialists and can be augmented by personnel from other units of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation if required. I am...