Results 3,301-3,320 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 87 and 101 together. The report dated April 2013 from the professional standards unit in the Garda Síochána looked at the processes and systems in place for the cancellation of fixed charge processing notices. The report complements the report prepared by Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney on his examination of the allegations of...

Other Questions: Common Travel Area (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I have a simple view which is that we should do whatever is practical and possible to increase the number of tourists and business visitors to the country, but we must do so in the context of agreed arrangements with the United Kingdom for the common travel area. This is the subject of ongoing discussions and as I stated, I expect new announcements to be made in this regard in 2014. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Reports (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I remind the Deputy that no individual seeking asylum is required to live in direct provision accommodation. Quite a number of individuals end up living outside that system, but it is there in circumstances in which asylum seekers have no resources of their own.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Reports (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy seems to suggest that every individual who comes to Ireland without a visa, in violation of our immigration laws, and who is an economic migrant should be provided automatically with housing, social welfare payments, free education for their children and free health care. If the Deputy wants between 50,000 and 100,000 economic migrants to descend into this State in circumstances...

Other Questions: Common Travel Area (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009 establishing a community code on visas, known as the Visa Code, regulates the EU common visa policy. I am not aware of any formal legislative proposals for reform from the European Commission Directorate-General for Home Affairs, which has responsibility for policy in this area. The Deputy may be referring to an article published by the Directorate-General for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Reports (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I reject Deputy Pringle's allegation that direct provision is institutionalised racism. Direct provision provides accommodation to individuals, children and families who claim asylum in this country. Without direct provision they would have no accommodation. Direct provision provides better accommodation than is provided in many other EU member states. It provides not only accommodation...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Staff (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy always has this pessimistic and depressing view of life.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Staff (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: This legislation started operating from 9 September and we now have more than 70 personal insolvency practitioners. We have been advised by the Insolvency Service of Ireland that it will be licensing additional numbers.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Staff (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I will wait to see how many are licensed in that context. The Deputy has been bleating around the House for the past several years, ignoring the fact that his party, when in government, created the disaster that is now affecting the lives of tens of thousands of people. While making his presentation, he was anxious that the banks would engage and resolve mortgage issues. The banks have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Care Reports (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: This question refers to the third volume of reports of proceedings taken under the Child Care Act 1991, which was recently published by the Child Care Law Reporting Project on its website www.childlawproject.ie. The aim of the project, which was established to examine and report on child care proceedings in the courts, is to provide information to the public and to policy makers on child...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Staff (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that as of 1 November 2013, a total of 72 personal insolvency practitioners are currently authorised by the Insolvency Service of Ireland, ISI. In addition, as of the same date, 18 Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, companies, representing 47 individuals, are authorised to act as approved intermediaries. The location and contact details of approved...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insolvency Service of Ireland Staff (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: I welcome the arrangements that AIB have put in place. One of the great difficulties that all Members on both sides of the House have referenced in recent times has been the slowness of the banks in entering into permanent debt settlement arrangements with their customers. There have been tens of thousands of temporary or interim arrangements entered into but very few permanent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: There is no reason to believe crime is reported less or more now than it was in the past. This island endured 30 years of violence perpetrated by subversive groups, in addition to gangland criminals. On the resources issue, I am assured by the Commissioner that the Garda Síochána is devoting all the necessary resources to the investigation and disruption of serious crime. It is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: From the many arrests that have taken place in recent months and the many successes of the Garda, not only in detecting crime and arresting individuals but also in the seizure of the goods to which I referred, no one could possibly think this matter has gone off the agenda. This is a central agenda of An Garda Síochána and it results in the very specific and successful targeting of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: Let us not exaggerate the extent of the difficulty in this area. I personally look forward to and welcome the changes that have been implemented to tighten up procedures. I have no doubt the Garda Commissioner is keeping a very strict watch on the manner in which matters are being dealt with.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy has used his 30 seconds well in raising a serious issue. It is an important matter. I can assure the Deputy that violent crime, including the brutal murders related to the activities of criminal gangs, is being tackled aggressively by An Garda Síochána with all necessary resources deployed in the investigation and prosecution of these appalling incidents. The organised...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: At this stage we have had an examination as published in the O'Mahoney report, another Garda report and, now, the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. There is a need to significantly tighten procedures for cancellation and that should result from the instructions given on 30 August 2013 by the Garda Commissioner. He has accepted and will implement specific and helpful recommendations...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy should know if he has ready the O'Mahoney report and the larger report furnished to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, all of the issues he has raised have been addressed. There is nothing new in any of these matters as far as I am aware. Nothing new has been reported in the media other than a look back at matters that were the subject of public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Child Protection Issues (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: Under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, the Ombudsman for Children will have all the powers she requires to fully and properly look into this matter. I know it is also of concern to the Deputy that we protect the welfare of children. We could swap a whole range of questions on which we would agree that answers were needed. Was it in the interests of the welfare of these children...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System (5 Nov 2013)

Alan Shatter: This is the first time I have heard anyone on the Opposition side of the House complain he or she has been given a speaking slot. I think it is for the benefit of those who actually watch these proceedings and those who are in the Visitors Gallery in order that they know what the question is about. It is welcome that the Deputy is doing this within the rules of the House. It may well be in...