Results 4,561-4,580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Garda Investigations. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The circumstances surrounding the import of an explosive substance to Ireland from the Slovak Republic on 2 January 2010 are a matter of serious concern to me and to the Government. The background to this incident is that the Dublin Airport authorities contacted the Garda Síochána on 5 January 2010 to inform it that they had received a communication purporting to be from the Slovak...

Garda Investigations. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The internationally accepted and adopted approach to security is that passenger and baggage screening takes place on departure rather than on arrival. Every country relies on the security arrangements in the departing country. It is accepted that there are some states where security is not as it should be. That is something I raised at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in the...

Garda Investigations. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: They very much do. As Deputy Flanagan outlined, there was significant political upheaval in Slovakia following the incident. It was one of the reasons the Minister for the Interior, who happens to be the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia was not able to attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting, and that the ambassador to Spain attended as his representative. The Slovakian...

Legal Services Ombudsman. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 54 together. As a preliminary to appointment by the Government of the Legal Services Ombudsman in accordance with section 5 of the Legal Services Ombudsman Act 2009, my Department is in dialogue with the Department of Finance on the details of the arrangements for the appointment of the ombudsman and the establishment of his or her office. My Department...

Legal Services Ombudsman. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Lest it would go out from this House that there is not a very sophisticated paraphernalia of legislation in place on the investigation of complaints against solicitors and barristers, there is, since the Solicitors Act 1954, and there have been many legislative changes, including in 2008 whereby complaints can be made against the legal profession.

Legal Services Ombudsman. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We have the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and cases can be referred to the High Court.

Legal Services Ombudsman. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is apparent from the media in recent times that a significant number of such cases have been brought to court. A significant body of work is required to set up the Legal Services Ombudsman's office under the legislation. As the Deputy is aware, section 19 of the Act specifies that the costs do not accrue to the Exchequer, but come from both branches of the legal profession. At the same...

Legal Services Ombudsman. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----whereby people can apply and ultimately the Government will have to make a decision on it.

Legal Services Ombudsman. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As soon as possible.

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The mental capacity Bill, which the Government's legislation programme indicates is due for publication in this session, represents the Government's policy in relation to reform of the wards of courts system. Details of the Bill were published in the form of heads in September 2008 and they may be accessed on my Department's website. The Office of Wards of Court will be replaced by the...

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, including in regard to court funds, which are held for the benefit of the wards of court or private funds under its control. The general scheme of the mental capacity Bill provides for the appointment by the court of a person as a personal guardian with a range of functions, including...

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I cannot share a view on this as this is an independent body, which administers the funds of court as well as can be expected. The proposed legislation provides for the establishment of a court funds office and will include an amendment to the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993 to allow him or her to act as auditor of all court funds, including those of wards of court.

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Hope springs eternal. Fine Gael would never give up this Department to the Labour Party.

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy may think an Act passed by the Oireachtas is auld blarney but I do not.

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is an honour to serve in the House on behalf of the people passing legislation and I do not regard it as auld blarney nor should the Deputy. He comes in with his auld supercilious blather sometimes trying to, in some way, suggest that, particularly in my context-----

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I regard my job with seriousness.

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: While I run a constituency office, as a Minister I have to adopt a certain attitude regarding issues which I am independent of and that includes those relating to the DPP, the Judiciary and the Courts Service, which has a function in the investment of funds of wards of court under legislation. I have no function in this and, therefore, I can give no opinion on how the funds are administered...

Proposed Legislation. (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy better do that.

Written Answers — Restorative Justice: Restorative Justice (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: There are two adult schemes currently operating in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary and in Tallaght, Dublin 24 which are funded by my Department, through the Probation Service and which operate on the principles of restorative justice with the twin aim of attempting to heal the harm done to victims and at the same time holding the offender accountable for his or her actions. In the case of juveniles,...

Written Answers — Maintenance Payments: Maintenance Payments (4 Feb 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The provisions in the law for ensuring that payments continue to be made by spouses in support of their dependent spouses and children are comprehensive. They include enabling powers for the courts to order attachment of the earnings of a debtor spouse, to order the securing of payments to the maintenance creditor, to order the payment of lump sums and to order arrears of maintenance to be...