Results 5,861-5,880 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I understand the Senator's motivation in proposing this amendment. However, the issue he raises needs greater consideration and should be addressed in more appropriate legislation. The laws governing the anonymity of persons in sexual offence cases are very complex, as are the reasons for allowing it. They, therefore, need careful and considered analysis. Furthermore, any proposal...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I was not suggesting otherwise.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Again, I ask that this issue not be dealt with on its own in this Bill. There is provision in existing legislation dealing with such crimes as incest whereby the anonymity of the accused is always retained, even where the charge is dropped. This is to protect the relationships of persons involved in the alleged incident. Regarding charges of rape and sexual assault, no details are revealed...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Yes.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Amendment No. 50 contains my substantive proposals for reform while amendment No. 1 is a consequential amendment. I will therefore focus on the later amendment No. 50. Amendment No. 50 relates to the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 and consists of two parts. The first part contains the definition of "prosecutor" in section 4 of the 1967 Act. It proposes to amend that section by deleting the...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators. Senator Norris will note that I value very much the input into legislation from the Seanad and I welcome the expertise brought to this Bill, not only from the political parties but also from the Independents, and not only in this area but in other areas as well. The amendment was prompted largely by the DPP's office on the basis that until 1999 there were no time limits...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have nothing further to add, other than to note that in respect of Mr. Justice Fennelly's report, I am starting with the baseline of when the defendant first appeared in the District Court. My Department believes and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions concurs strongly that the baseline should be when the decision is made to send forward for trial on indictment. It is only...

Tiger Kidnappings. (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: First, let me say that my sympathy goes out to Adrian Ronan, his wife, Mary, and to their children for the terrible ordeal they endured yesterday. As well as sympathising with them, I want to praise the courage they showed during the incident. Tiger kidnappings are a despicable and vicious form of criminal activity which involve targeting working people and their families. Sadly, the Ronan...

Tiger Kidnappings. (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I thought the Deputy said that. I do not underestimate the pressure which people who are the victims of tiger kidnappings find themselves under. It is very easy for us to be critical of them in those circumstances and easy to demand that they adhere to the protocols. Obviously, in circumstances where they are under extreme duress, they have to think of themselves and their loved ones first....

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in March 2006 and I decided in my absolute discretion to grant a certificate of naturalisation. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that a certificate of naturalisation is an exceptional and important document that...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 20 October 2009. The applications were refused by the Visa Officer on 30 October 2009 for the following reasons: The evidence of finances shown by the reference was deemed insufficient. Further, there was no bank statement submitted by the applicants as evidence of finances; There was insufficient...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for providing the accommodation in Roscommon, has informed the Property Registration Authority (PRA) that the building contractors took possession of the site in September 2009 and that work on the new building has commenced. The OPW has further advised that the building is due to be completed in the last quarter of 2010. Under the...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A Garda "Town Centre" CCTV system has been installed and is operational in Carlow town. It consists of fourteen (14) cameras located at various locations within the town and is linked to Carlow Garda Station. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost of installing this system was approximately €450,000.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that additional temporary accommodation provided at Carlow Garda Station in March this year has served to ease the accommodation pressures at the Station. The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation around the country is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. The future accommodation needs of Carlow...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, New Delhi on the 30 June 2009. Further documentation was received on the 18 August 2009. It was refused by the Visa Officer on the 18 August 2009 for the following reasons: The evidence of finances shown was deemed insufficient; There was insufficient documentation submitted in support of the application,...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (3 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I am informed that the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available from the CSO.

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (3 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an objection to the renewal of licences held by the premises referred to by the Deputy was made by An Garda Síochána in 2008 at the annual licensing court. The licences were renewed by the court. I am further informed that Gardaí from Raheny and Clontarf Garda stations police the area concerned and maintain regular contact with the management of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (3 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an incident in respect of the persons referred to by the Deputy is under Garda investigation. The Deputy will appreciate that, as an investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time. I am also informed that matters raised previously with An Garda Síochána have been investigated.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (3 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions numbers 340, 345 and 371 on Tuesday 20th October, 2009 which sets out the position with respect to the recommendations made in Mr. Paul Coffey SC's report. I can also inform the Deputy that the planned public information notice referred to in that question appeared on Tuesday 27th October.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (3 Nov 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2009. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants.The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated...