Results 481-500 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Cabinet Committees: Cabinet Committees (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Earlier this year I sought the views of the Garda Commissioner, in light of experience gained in current and past investigations of white collar crime, on what changes in the law which might be beneficial in this area. The Commissioner's report contained a number of proposals which have implications for various areas of the law. The Deputy will appreciate that I am precluded from giving...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Annual Report on the Garda Diversion Programme for 2009 indicates that there was a reduction of 13% in the number of incidents referred to the Programme, and a reduction of 14% in the number of children referred to it, during that period. As regards alcohol-related offences, there was a reduction of 22% in the number of such offences compared with 2008. This suggests that the Government's...

Written Answers — Commercial Rent Review: Commercial Rent Review (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The report of the Working Group on transparency in commercial rent reviews was published on 17 August. The Group which I established had representatives from all of the key stakeholders in the commercial property market. They have all signed up to the Report and I am confident that there is a willingness to implement its recommendations. The Working Group recommended the establishment of...

Written Answers — Gaming Industry: Gaming Industry (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am now considering a report from my officials on a proposed policy for the better regulation of gambling. Following my consideration of the report, I will make the necessary arrangements to bring it before the Government. I have previously stated that it is my intention to publish the policy proposals which will be based on an examination of the submissions received as a result of the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2010 (to 12th November) there have been 181 incidents involving suspected grenades, pipe-bombs or other improvised devices nationwide at which a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Device team has attended, with 196 such incidents recorded in 2009, 180 recorded in 2008 and 98 recorded in 2007. I am further informed that in respect of the incidents...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of a paper published by the Health Research Board in January this year which analyses the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) data including records of the number of people in treatment for problem drug use (including heroin) in 2008. I am also aware of the recent publication of the 2010 Annual Report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction...

Written Answers — Sex Offender Treatment Programme: Sex Offender Treatment Programme (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 154 together. On 11 November 2010 there were 320 persons in custody with current convictions for sexual offences, located as outlined in the table below. Prison No. Sentenced Arbour Hill 111 Castlerea 20 Cork 1 Dóchas 1 Midlands 95 Mountjoy 2 Wheatfield 90 Total 320 The treatment of sex offenders is centred in Arbour Hill Prison where sex...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In May of this year I asked the Garda Commissioner to examine the law in the area of white collar crime in light of experience gained in current and past investigations. The Commissioner has recently replied to my request and has made a number of proposals with a view to enhancing the capacity of the Garda Síochána to tackle such crime. As the Commissioner's proposals have implications...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The granting of sentence remission is a feature of many prison systems worldwide and has been a feature of the Irish criminal justice system since the foundation of the State. Our Courts are aware of the statutory entitlement to remission when passing sentence. Most prisoners are entitled by law to remission of one quarter of sentence provided they are of good behaviour during their time in...

Written Answers — Electronic Monitoring of Offenders: Electronic Monitoring of Offenders (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Part 10 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 provides for the introduction of electronic monitoring in this jurisdiction and I have made the relevant order commencing the provisions in the context of a restriction of movement condition applying to the granting of temporary release. The Irish Prison Service is currently testing the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) Electronic Monitoring on...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware the development of the new prison campus at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, County Dublin is now proceeding on a phased basis. Phase one, which is currently in progress, comprises essential preliminary works to facilitate the prison development including the construction of a dedicated access road, the installation of off-site services and the construction of the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 30 September 2010, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,600. The number of attested Gardaí on probation and at Phase IV of their Student/Probationer training on 30 September 2010 was 400. This figure is included in the overall strength of the force quoted above....

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In the policing of demonstrations, the Garda Síochána, while respecting the right of legitimate protest, have a duty to ensure as far as possible that the peace is preserved and public order maintained, and that lives and property are protected. The safety of the Gardaí involved is also an important consideration. In preparing for demonstrations, the Garda Síochána have to take into...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In the policing of demonstrations, the Garda Síochána, while respecting the right of legitimate protest, have a duty to ensure as far as possible that the peace is preserved and public order maintained, and that lives and property are protected. The safety of the Gardaí involved is also an important consideration. In preparing for demonstrations, the Garda Síochána have to take into...

Written Answers — Garda Síochána Inspectorate: Garda Síochána Inspectorate (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Following on from the Barr Tribunal, the Garda Inspectorate published its second report, Review of Practices and Procedures for Barricade Incidents, in February 2007. The report contains eighty-four recommendations made by the Inspectorate. To date, seventy-four of these have been fully implemented, a further seven have been partially implemented and progress is being made in relation to...

Written Answers — Proceeds of Crime: Proceeds of Crime (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of the proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau being used to fund community projects and drug services in disadvantaged communities has been raised from time to time. It is a matter on which my Department has consulted with the Department of Finance who would have primary responsibility in this area. While it is accepted that there may be some potential symbolic...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that I wrote to him on the 8th November, 2010 with the answer to his earlier question.

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It has been standard practice over the years to publish all of the Visiting Committee Reports on the same day. Their actual date of publication is dictated by the date on which all of the reports are received, checked and made ready for publication. On this occasion their readiness coincided with the publication of the other reports. It is customary for the Irish Prison Service to discuss...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that under the Government Legislation Programme for the Autumn Session announced by the Chief Whip in September, my proposals for a Judicial Council Bill are in the course of being formally drafted with a view to their publication in mid-2011.

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply of Parliamentary Question 41 on 7 October, 2010. The position remains as stated.