Results 35,581-35,600 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I must declare a family interest in so far as opticians are covered in this legislation. The Bill’s purpose is to subsume the Opticians Board into the Health and Social Care Professionals Council which has caused some concern among opticians in general. From my point of view as a public representative, I do not have a problem with this move as long as the quality, standards and...

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 12. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she satisfies herself that the procedures put in place in respect of the imposition of penalty points and any subsequent deletions are sufficiently robust; if she is satisfied that the oversight procedures continue to be fit for purpose and that recent revelations by the whistle blower are transparently investigated and...

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: This relates to the obvious need to clarify the recent allegations that penalty points continue to be a problem and that penalty points were allegedly written off on a basis that was not too clear. I want to ensure that the issue is dealt with quickly and adequately.

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. To restore full confidence in the system, will the Minister at the end of the inquiry or review of the system, issue a clear statement to the effect that the system is foolproof and only in exceptional circumstances will some discretion be allowed to those with the power to erase penalty points?

Other Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 7. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which prisoners continue to have access to ongoing education and rehabilitative training; the percentage of first-time offenders who are referred for such training in the first year of their sentence; the average number who do not have such access on an annual basis; the extent to which adequate procedures are in place to ensure...

Other Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: As a former inmate, I suppose, of Mountjoy, I could elaborate somewhat further on the conditions inside, but this question relates to the ongoing need to ensure the availability of rehabilitative training for first-time prisoners, in particular. I do not include those convicted for murder. It is important that there be a continuing programme that gives access to training to first-time...

Other Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for her very comprehensive reply. I very much appreciate it. It would be helpful if it were possible to provide a breakdown of the number of times first-time offenders have applied for rehabilitative training and have not been successful. In my previous pursuit of this particular subject, I came to the conclusion that access was monopolised to some extent by repeat...

Other Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: The Minister has referred to a sensitive area. Consider the cases of those who are now called drug mules, or individuals who were involved as carriers, who may have a ten- or 12-year sentence for committing a serious offence for the first time. It is crucial that they be diverted from becoming professional criminals because they will not re-offend. Almost in all cases, they have given an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will set out the procedures to achieve naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36029/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 105. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she remains satisfied that GSOC is operating effectively, efficiently and in accordance with its terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36060/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 106. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which educational-rehabilitative training remains available to all prisoners in the various prisons throughout the country with particular reference to the need to ensure that first time offenders are accommodated as a priority; if the number of applications continue to be met in such circumstances; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 107. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners granted early release in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36062/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 108. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of long-term prisoners to receive early release-compassionate leave in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36063/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 109. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently serving sentences for drug related offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36064/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 110. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently serving sentences arising from organised criminal gang activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36065/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Juvenile Offenders (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which prison places remain available for juvenile offenders; the number of such places currently occupied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36066/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 112. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the manner in which complaints within An Garda Síochana continue to be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36067/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 113. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the technology including forensic technology available to An Garda Síochána continues to be upgraded in line with international best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36068/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 114. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which prisoners have absconded from the prison service in each of the past five years to date; the number recaptured; the number currently still at large; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36069/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (24 Sep 2014)

Bernard Durkan: 115. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the upgrading of the Garda motor fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36070/14]