Results 2,901-2,920 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: There is a specific statutory offence of intimidation of members of a jury. Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 makes it an offence to harm or threaten or in any other way intimidate or put in fear another person who is assisting in the investigation by An Garda Síochána of an offence, or is a witness or potential witness or a juror or potential juror in proceedings for an offence,...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the numbers of persons reported missing each year since 1975 and who remain untraced up to and including 7 May, 2010: Year Missing Year Missing Year Missing 1975 15 1987 11 1999 15 1976 11 1988 16 2000 15 1977 13 1989 9 2001 60 1978 12 1990 10 2002 76 1979 7 1991 11 2003 61 1980 15 1992 7 2004 55 1981 14 1993 9...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Recorded crime statistics for 2009 published by the Central Statistics Office show a reduction in nine of the 14 crime groups for which statistics are given, compared with 2008. Significant decreases in the numbers of cases of manslaughter and dangerous driving leading to death contributed to a fall in homicide offences of 10.1% during 2009. There were also welcome decreases in public order...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: On 10 May, 2010 there were 4,214 persons in custody compared to a bed capacity of 4,066. As the Deputy will appreciate the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts into its custody and do not have the option of refusing committals. Overcrowding in prisons is an international problem and is not unique to Ireland. It is the case that there has been a consistent...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The provision of 1,720 new prison places since 1997 has more then compensated for closed locations which for operational and financial reasons were no longer viable as prisons. The capacity of Spike Island and the Curragh fluctuated over the years and any potential loss in capacity has been more than offset by the bringing into operation of previously unused prison spaces and improvements to...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no function in relation to the application for the issue of a European Arrest Warrant. This is a matter for the Garda authorities in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Under the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, as amended, a court may, upon application made by or on behalf of the DPP, issue a European Arrest...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (13 May 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 — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 159 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are two categories of organised crime groups operating within this jurisdiction. The first category consists of individuals / groups that are well established and tightly structured and are involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A major challenge facing all prisons is the need to prevent contraband entering the prison. This contraband including mobile phones, weapons and drugs are valuable commodities which can assist in illegal activity. There are prisoners who will attempt to use whatever means possible to continue criminal activity while in prison custody. The only way to absolutely guarantee that this could not...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Garda Síochána and a reply will be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The current salary level of Civil Service grades are as set out in Department of Finance Circular 28/2009. The Secretary General of my Department is on a salary of €215,590. The current rate of pay for the Garda Commissioner is €197,325 per annum. The Commissioner is a member of the Garda Síochána superannuation scheme. My total salary, both Ministerial and TD, is €191,417 per...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will appreciate that the effect of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court is that the State does not have a constitutional obligation to make available a simultaneous translation into Irish of all Rules of Court. However, it is obliged to make such Rules available in Irish as soon as practicable after their publication in English. My Department has already made substantial...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can confirm that the applications in question were made through my Department's on-line visa system on 16/3/2010 and that documentation relating to these applications was subsequently received by the Honorary Consul for Ireland in Nairobi, Kenya. The applications are receiving attention and a decision will be made in due course.

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Commissioner is closely monitoring the levels of Garda strength around the country, taking into account the level of retirements and recent attestations of students. I will continue to consult with my colleague the Minister for Finance on when a resumption of Garda recruitment will be necessary so as to keep Garda numbers up to approved levels. In all this, my priority is to...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 192 on 29 April, 2010. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 May 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 November 2007. 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 — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The reason for the decision to revoke refugee status is that the person in question received a number of convictions, including a custodial sentence of 7 years under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984. The reason was set out in the proposal to revoke refugee status letter which was issued to the person in question on 16 October 2009.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Officials in the Citizenship section of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned was, as an exceptional measure, granted temporary permission to remain in the State for a six month period to 10 December 2009. This decision was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 10 June 2009. This permission was, by letter dated 16 December 2009, renewed for a further three month period, to 10 March 2010. The person concerned is, as is any other person...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 May 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 2007 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person in question was informed of this decision and the reasons for refusal in a letter issued to him on 1 April, 2010....