Results 3,061-3,080 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Schengen Convention is an agreement among some European Member States which allows for the abolition of systematic border controls between the participating countries. It also includes provisions on a common policy on the temporary entry of persons, the harmonisation of external border controls, and cross-border police and judicial co-operation. Ireland has successfully applied to take...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 116 of 22 April, 2009. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The position in regard to long term visas remains as stated in my reply to the previous PQ No 213 of 20 April 2010. As regards the current applications submitted by the two individuals referred to, their on-line visa applications were made on 12 March 2010. At this time my Department is awaiting the submission of all the necessary supporting documentation to allow for the detailed...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy entered the State in 2006 to complete a Masters Degree in University College Cork. On 28 November 2008, upon completion of her studies she was granted a six month permission to remain in the State under the Graduate Scheme to afford her the opportunity to seek employment...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo on the 29 March 2010. Following consideration by a Visa Officer, it was refused on the 30 March 2010, for the following reasons: 1. Finances. The evidence of finances provided was deemed insufficient in that neither the applicant nor the reference submitted 6 months bank statements. 2. Insufficient...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, each member of the judiciary is independent in the matter of sentencing as they are in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions. The Courts Service Board established a Steering Committee to plan for and provide information on sentencing. The Committee, under the chair of Mrs. Susan Denham of the Supreme Court, comprises a judge from the High,...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Valid applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's Question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in March 2009 and I decided in my absolute discretion not to grant certificates of naturalisation. The reasons for refusal were disclosed to the persons concerned in letters issued to them on 2 November, 2009. It is open to the...

Written Answers — Prison Service: Prison Service (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that all prisoners are statutorily entitled to a daily gratuity. The current rate of gratuity payable is €2.35 daily, which equates to a weekly total of €16.45. In accordance with the Prison Rules, 2007, additional gratuity may be paid to prisoners engaged in authorised structured activities. This additional gratuity is...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets Bureau: Criminal Assets Bureau (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised that the Criminal Assets Bureau, while authorised by statute to own property, does not of itself own any properties. Properties, which are the subject of orders under the Proceeds of Crime legislation, are generally held by a Court Appointed Receiver. Once a final order is made by the Court, the ownership of the property becomes vested in the Minister for Finance. While the...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service does not have the facility to test substances found or seized and therefore cannot state definitively the type or value of drugs seized. Gardaí are contacted once suspected drug seizures are made and issues of investigation and prosecution fall within their remit. Figures relating to Mountjoy Prison and St. Patrick's Institution are set out as follows. Prison/Place...

Written Answers — Mobile Telephony: Mobile Telephony (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that Section 36 of the Prisons Act, 2007 which makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use of mobile telecommunication devices was brought into operation on 1 May, 2007, Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalties for such an offence, on summary conviction, include a fine not exceeding...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to former Government Ministers who were subsequently employed by my Department after having departed from the Oireachtas. In the period in question, three former Ministers took up roles associated with my Department and its agencies. These were Nora Owen, David Andrews and Michael O'Kennedy. Ms. Owen continues to be a member of the Commission for the Support...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the decision to refuse the application by the person referred to by the Deputy is currently under review. Normally in the case of a renewal of registration for a student, the renewal is subject to the progression of their studies and satisfactory exam results. The INIS has assured me that a request for further...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 5 September 2005. In accordance with Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the person concerned was entitled to remain in the State until her application for asylum was decided. Her asylum application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his earlier Parliamentary Question, No. 368 of Tuesday, 2 February 2009, in this matter. The position in the State of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (5 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 April 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 — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is understood that the Question refers to section 143 of the Civil Partnership Bill 2009 which provides that, subject to section 40 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, proceedings shall be heard otherwise than in public. The Act of 2004 allows, for research purposes, certain classes of person to attend family law proceedings that are normally held in camera. The holding of certain...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the decision to refuse the application by the person concerned for residence in the State based on marriage to an EU National is currently under review. A request for further documents was issued to the legal representatives of the person concerned on the 27th April 2010 and a decision will be issued in writing on receipt of the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department inform me that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person concerned.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office Dublin on the 9 April 2010. Visa applications are considered on the basis of the date received and the number of Visa Officers available to process them. In the absence of exceptional circumstances the Visa Office is not in a position to prioritise one particular application over another. Such fast tracking of...