Results 501-520 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 197 and 198 of 10 November 2010. I have nothing further to add at this stage.

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years, with dramatic increases in the number of sentenced prisoners, those being committed on remand and a trend towards longer sentences. This situation is particularly apparent over the past 12 months during which time the total number in custody has increased by 435. This...

Written Answers — Rent Reviews: Rent Reviews (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I would remind the Deputy that a provision which prohibits upward only rent review clauses in future business leases is contained in Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009. That provision came into force on 28 February last. The prohibition on upward only rent review clauses does not apply to business leases (or agreements for such leases) which were entered into prior...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Policing and justice responsibilities were devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 12 April 2010. The Garda Commissioner and I held a first meeting with Minister Ford, who was accompanied by PSNI Chief Constable Baggott, on 16 April in Stormont. Since then I have met with Minister Ford on several occasions. We have twice met to review formally cooperation under the Intergovernmental...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the Renewed Programme for Government to expand the application of the Freedom of Information Act, as amended, to include specific administrative matters in An Garda Síochána. My Department is currently considering this matter in conjunction with the Department of Finance. This consideration will involve an examination of all factors...

Written Answers — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that my Department, in accordance with EU Directive 2000/84/EC, compiled and communicated submissions in respect of this issue to the European Commission from a number of relevant Departments and semi-state bodies in July 2007. Following consideration of the information made available to it from Member States, the European Commission reported that it took the view...

Written Answers — Witness Intimidation: Witness Intimidation (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will understand that it is not the policy nor would it be in the public interest to comment in detail on matters relating to the personal security of individuals, including information relating to persons who have acted as witnesses in criminal trials and who, as a consequence, may be the subject of Garda protection or persons in the Garda Witness Security Programme. A high level...

Written Answers — Victims Commission: Victims Commission (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Gardaí enjoy the confidence of the public generally. The most recent evidence for this is the Quarterly National Household Survey of the Central Statistics Office, in relation to Crime and Victimisation in 2010 which found that 67% of those surveyed rated the Gardaí in their local area as good or very good. The report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by the Commission for the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As at 31 October there were 530 persons awaiting a first instance asylum decision in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC), while 1,055 persons were awaiting an asylum appeal decision in the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). For the avoidance of any misunderstanding, I should say that the majority of these cases are relatively recent applications i.e. in the system less...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Prison Authority Interim Board was established by the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 26 April 1999. The Board meets approximately six times per year and provides advice and guidance in the management of the prison system to the Director General of the Irish Prison Service.

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

Dermot Ahern: The number of offences where the suspected offender is on bail is a matter of concern. A decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the court, which is, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of its judicial functions. There is a constitutional presumption in favour of bail, since, in the eyes of the law, a person is innocent until proven...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 151 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the death of the person referred to by the Deputy was the subject of an intensive review in 2004. I am further informed that in December, 2009, the Garda Commissioner appointed the Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region to examine the investigation file again....

Written Answers — Garda Interview Procedures: Garda Interview Procedures (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Proposals for the introduction of a new system which would allow the taking of contemporaneous written notes to cease where interviews are electronically recorded are being considered by my Department and the Garda Síochána, in consultation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Attorney General. While proposals for a new system are well advanced, it...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it is their intention to provide a new accommodation block with 100 places within the existing prison boundary wall. The project is at a preliminary planning stage. In addition to the proposed new block, the Irish Prison Service are developing proposals for the utilisation of the facilities at Harristown House beside Castlerea Prison. These...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Assistant Commissioner appointed by the Garda Commissioner to examine the findings of the Dublin Archdiocese report relating to the handling of complaints and investigations by both Church and State authorities, and to carry out such investigations and enquiries as he deems appropriate, is continuing his examination of the report. I am assured...

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

Dermot Ahern: In February 2010 the Dubai police confirmed that several suspects, believed to have been involved with the killing of a senior Hamas figure, had entered Dubai on the passports of a number of foreign countries, including a total of eight Irish passports. Subsequent investigations carried out by the Passport Service and by the Gardaí have confirmed that the eight Irish passports used were...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply of Parliamentary Question 57 on the Thursday, 7th October, 2010. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that he has circulated the report to the Governors of each institution and asked them to address any operational issues raised in the report regarding their specific prisons. As regards overcrowding, the latest penal statistics published by the Council of Europe indicate that the level of overcrowding in countries such...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am assured by the Garda authorities that such premises receive attention and if breaches of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956 to 2003 are detected, appropriate action is taken. In addition, my officials have sought advice from the Office of the Attorney General in relation to alleged breaches of the legislation, particularly relating to the operation of gaming machines. I can assure the...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (17 Nov 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Smithwick Tribunal was established pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921-2002, to enquire into suggestions that members of the Garda Síochána or other employees of the State colluded in the fatal shootings of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Bob Buchanan in 1989. The Tribunal was established by resolutions passed by the Oireachtas in March...