Results 5,881-5,900 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capacity of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible.The involvement of the Defence Forces in responding to emergencies or security issues arises from requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána in an Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) role or from other agencies of the State in an Aid to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The tables set out the number of women by rank serving in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps at 31 December for each of the years 2003 to 2012, and at 31 March 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. These figures show that at 31 March 2013 there were a total of 565 serving in the Permanent Defence Force, a figure which equates to 6.15% of the overall strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Surveillance (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Naval Service conducts routine maritime surveillance patrols on a daily basis throughout Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State’s fishery protection legislation and our obligations as a member of the European Union. In its fishery protection role,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The UN reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owned Equipment costs in respect of contributions of personnel to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The only mission for which Ireland is currently entitled to reimbursement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: My Department's property portfolio is kept under constant review to ensure that adequate facilities are available for the Defence Forces to carry out the duties assigned to them by Government. As the Deputy is aware I have indicated to the House previously there are no plans for further barrack closures. Targeted recruitment will ensure that into the future the Permanent Defence Force...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The military installations including permanently occupied barracks currently fully operational are set out in the following table. Whilst my Department’s property portfolio is kept under constant review, as I indicated to the House previously there are no plans for further barrack closures. In addition to these installations a number of other smaller properties are used by Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Accident Investigations (7 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: In accordance with relevant legislation, my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and I agreed that the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport should investigate this accident. The AAIU has now completed its investigation and its Report, which was published on 4 April 2013, is now available on the AAIU website (www.aaiu.ie)....

Other Questions: Garda Investigations (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I will begin by telling Deputy Naughten I am not interested in political points scoring. I am providing the information available to me from my officials. The information is that the Garda Commissioner will have the report during this month. I assume that, as I have requested, the Commissioner will report to me. It is an issue I have regularly made inquiries about since being appointed...

Other Questions: Garda Investigations (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: -----which could be contrary to the public interest. I have never believed in matters being covered up. I believe in transparency. I do believe where there is a suggestion of wrongful behaviour or a suggestion of criminality that these issues should be properly investigated. I will not prejudge allegations. It would be inappropriate of me to do so.

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: There are not serving members of the Garda operating within the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's office because the ombudsman commission is a separate and independent entity with separate and independent investigators. The Deputy is correct in one matter. It is open to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission when certain complaints are made and they are deemed to...

Other Questions: Garda Investigations (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the examination surrounding the circumstances of the death of Fr. Niall Molloy is almost complete and that a report of this examination is expected to be submitted to the Garda Commissioner some time this month. Upon receipt of a report from the Commissioner, I will review the situation. I understand that the officers carrying out the examination...

Other Questions: Garda Investigations (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: Like the Deputy, I am very familiar with the case. I am familiar with all the allegations made. I was familiar with it when I came into office. Shortly after assuming my position as Minister, I requested that these allegations be investigated. The Garda Síochána was the appropriate body to conduct the investigation should evidence emerge that would justify the taking of any...

Other Questions: Visa Agreements (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The visa system is operated at official level and the Minister cannot deal with every visa application. I only learnt of that matter on Friday. The two young persons concerned are in employment in the State. They are lawfully here in the State. Upon learning of the matter, I directed that a visa should issue for their young child. I understand that the child, when a baby, went back to...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to provide independent oversight of complaints made against members of the Garda Síochána. It has approximately 90 staff, as well as the three commissioners, and a budget this year of just over €8 million. The ombudsman commission directly investigates complaints...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: As Deputy Clare Daly will be aware, the ombudsman commission itself conducts investigations. The protocols, to which the Deputy refers and which I regard as of considerable importance, should be fully and properly adhered to by members of An Garda Síochána to facilitate the ombudsman commission in undertaking its statutory work. If there are time failures to meet requests for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Industrial Relations Issues (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: I agree with the Deputy that there should be a more constructive relationship between the Garda representative bodies and the Minister of the day. We have a history of this. I can recall when the Garda reserve was being established and the GRA fell out with the then Minister. There are now 1,100 members of the reserve and they are providing an important back-up to the full-time members of...

Other Questions: Visa Agreements (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: Ireland has not applied to participate in the Schengen arrangements to the extent that they deal with the abolition of border checks. This decision has been taken to maintain the common travel area with the United Kingdom which remains a priority for Ireland. The reality is that the common travel area could not continue to operate if Ireland were to remove border checks with Schengen states...

Other Questions: Visa Agreements (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: The various schemes are continuously under review. Some of them have only started within the last 12 to 18 months so there is a need to let them bed down in particular countries so knowledge of the schemes spreads. A statistic was published recently showing an increase in visitor numbers to the country of around 7% in the first quarter of 2013. I do not have a breakdown of the countries...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Judiciary Issues (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: This forum is being put together to formalise the arrangement whereby the Attorney General, in the past, would substantially communicate with the Chief Justice. Now the group will be representative of the different levels within the court system and it will facilitate members of the Judiciary raising issues of concern. The Attorney General will either address those issues or report to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Industrial Relations Issues (2 May 2013)

Alan Shatter: In early autumn I invited the Garda Representative Association, GRA, and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, to discuss issues of mutual interest. I met with AGSI representatives on 19 October for nearly two hours in a constructive and businesslike meeting. I also spoke at its recent conference. However, the GRA never responded to my meeting request. I am always...