Results 381-400 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons Data (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the total number of missing person reports from 2011 to 27 April, 2014. The table also sets out the total number of persons reported missing during that period who remain untraced. It should be noted that the figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change. Year No. of Missing Person Reports No....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: As I have previously informed the House, Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, is at present carrying out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy. This independent examination will, in accordance with the terms of reference, comprise two main elements: 1. Counsel will examine what is a very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The murder of the person to whom the Deputy refers was a brutal act and we all hope that its perpetrators will be brought to justice. I am sure the Deputy would agree with me that there can never be any justification for the criminal, violent taking of human life, no matter what the circumstances. I am aware that the Coroner's Inquest into this killing has been adjourned on a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: While I have not met the person in question in my capacity as Minister, I have recently received a petition on their behalf in addition to further correspondence from their legal representative. On foot of this, I have sought a report from the Garda authorities with respect to the issues of concern. While this report is awaited, I have been assured there is currently ongoing contact between...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the operation of the system of direct provision. There are currently 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA, providing accommodation and ancillary services to 4,300 persons, a decrease of 39% since the end of 2008. The operation of the direct provision system is kept under review. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: Significant protest activity over a number of years has occurred in the North Mayo area connected with the development of a very important natural resource. This has necessitated the temporary redeployment of large numbers of Gardaí, including specially trained personnel, from throughout the Western Region into the Belmullet District. It is deeply regrettable that so much Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Gambling Control Bill, which is due to be published in early 2015, will bring such matters within my Department. The regulation of betting shops will be covered under the legislation. The issue raised will be dealt with during the licensing process and Head 31 of the draft scheme of the Bill refers. The draft scheme of the Gambling Control Bill has been made available on the website of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Investigation (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I understand the concerns that are involved in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. As he will be aware, the background circumstances are linked to a very tragic event which occurred in 2001 and I am conscious of the impact it has had on the family concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that a major concern of the family has been that no criminal prosecution has been taken in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that I am committed to maintaining Garda strength at 13,000 and I therefore expect that recruitment in 2014 will broadly match the number of retirements in 2014. The review of An Garda Síochána as provided under the Haddington Road Agreement will also provide a framework to ensure that the best possible policing service continues to be provided to all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Transportation (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I wish to advise the Deputy that the total cost for the transportation of prisoners by taxi in the years concerned were €251,341.00 in 2012, €163,877.00 in 2013 and €57,813.00 to date in 2014. The Irish Prison Service has used taxis for many years as a means of transporting certain prisoners on escort, mainly to court, but occasionally to hospital. The policy is for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: As a result of a number of initiatives I have introduced the number of short stay visas (including visas for tourism purposes) granted to Chinese nationals has grown steadily from just over 7,300 in 2011 to over 8,100 in 2013, an 11% increase. The approval rate for visa applications from China is 92% which compares very favourably internationally. Visa applications for Chinese nationals...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: Arrangements are currently underway to hold a Cadetship Competition for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service in 2014. It is planned to award a total of 40 cadetships from this competition comprising of twenty (20) Army, nine (9) Air Corps and eleven (11) Naval Service. Details of the competition will be made available on the Defence Forces website when the competition commences.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am aware of the situation with the discovery of asbestos on LE Orla and LE Ciara. At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the Naval Base is my primary concern. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority (HSA) guidelines while dealing with the current situation. The position...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990’s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 635 to 637, inclusive, together. Civil Defence Volunteers who declare an interest in qualifying as Instructors at local level are obliged to undertake significant additional training. Qualification, through the Civil Defence College, is to a national standard. Instructor certification is generally issued through the College and the relevant national...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: It was not possible to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy in the time available. My Department is currently seeking to compile the relevant data and I will provide the information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Army Equitation School continues to source suitable Irish bred horses, acquired through either purchase or lease agreement, that meet the required standard as judged by the School’s Horse Purchase Board. While it is difficult to predict the number of future acquisitions, I can confirm that agreement has been reached for the purchase of one horse so far this year, whilst in 2013 a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Upward Only Rent Reviews (17 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 187 together. It will be recalled that the Government made the difficult decision in December 2011 not to proceed with the commitment in the Programme for Government to abolish upward only rent reviews in so called "legacy leases", i.e., those entered into before 28 February 2010. There was a substantial concern that any legislative scheme involving...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (17 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), 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 — Department of Justice and Equality: Gender Recognition Issues (17 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: Proposals in relation to recognition of gender identity are being progressed by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, who published the General Scheme of a Gender Recognition Bill in July 2013. With regard to equality legislation, the Equality Tribunal and the Courts have interpreted the existing provisions prohibiting gender discrimination as applying also to the situation of...