Results 7,161-7,180 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Witness Intimidation: Witness Intimidation (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: This is a highly sensitive matter where confidentiality is an issue. I will confer with the Garda authorities as the Deputy's request for detailed information in this respect and I will communicate with the Deputy when their response is to hand.

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will appreciate the granting of post release supervision orders is entirely a matter for the Courts who are independent in the exercise of their functions. However, the supervision of those orders is the responsibility of the Probation Service of my Department and in that regard I can advise the Deputy that: Section 28 of the Sex Offender Act, 2001 requires a Court to consider...

Written Answers — Witness Intimidation: Witness Intimidation (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The figures for the annual cost of the Witness Security Programme since its establishment are set out in the table below. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest, given the very sensitive nature of the programme, to give details of its operation, including the identity or numbers of persons admitted to it. Year â'¬ million 1998 0.053 1999 0.110 2000...

Written Answers — Gangland Killings: Gangland Killings (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the details requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently reconfirmed its commitment to developing a new prison campus at Thornton Hall, Co. Dublin. The revised plans for Thornton Hall prison aim to protect the taxpayers' interests while, at the same time, providing modern, regime focused and operationally efficient accommodation to replace the Mountjoy prison complex in the shortest possible...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 which I published yesterday provides that organised crime offences will be scheduled offences for the purpose of the Offences Against the State Act. This means they will be tried in the Special Criminal Court unless the DPP directs otherwise. It is not possible to predict the number of additional trials as this will be a matter for the Director...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am assuming that the Deputy's Question relates to transfers under my Department's decentralisation programme, in which County Laois features prominently. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has moved to Portarlington, involving the transfer of 23 civil servants. Equality Tribunal posts are also due to relocate to Portarlington and an advance move of 8 Tribunal staff to...

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Flanagan put his finger on it when he said that while there might be sympathy around the House for the plight of people in existing contractual arrangements, sympathy does not put bread on the table. While Deputies can say we could have another look at it, the reality is that I have received no advice at all that would suggest I can in any way interfere with contractual arrangements...

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: In public life, as a Minister and when I was not one, I have always been of the view that one should not hoodwink the public because people are not fools. I suggest strongly to Deputy Ciarán Lynch that this is an opportunistic attempt on the part of the Labour Party to try to show cause for something. I have no doubt any legal advice it has received is similar to the advice I have received...

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There is no difficulty with it.

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Yes.

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am somewhat confused by Deputy Charles Flanagan because earlier he referred to the problems with fund managers and pension funds having been drawn to his attention. I am acknowledging-----

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am responding to the representations and points validly made. When I set out to change the law in this respect, I did so on the basis that some traders are having grave difficulty in meeting the rent for commercial premises they leased at the top of the market, of which all Members are aware in their constituencies. It is important the House sends out a strong signal to the market, and...

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: That is why I wanted it to be dealt with before the summer holidays. I do not know how Deputy Flanagan formed the opinion that I am trying to have the legislation passed before July for a different reason. In my view, this situation had to be addressed. I will not accept any criticism from Deputy Flanagan in that respect.

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am doing this with the best of intentions. Like Deputy Lynch, I am trying to ensure that a strong signal is sent out. I do not doubt that all the advice that has been given to Deputy Ciarán Lynch has suggested that it is virtually impossible to do what he is trying to do. I suggest that this is as much as the Oireachtas can do. I strongly urge the Deputies to support this amendment.

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Ceann Comhairle has saved the price of a stamp. Amendment to amendment put.

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I will confine myself to discussing the amendment because it deals with a specific issue. As I said earlier, it is designed to ameliorate the situation of people who are subject to proceedings for repossession. Of course, none of us wants to see people's homes being repossessed. As has been mentioned, there is a code subscribed to by the larger banks. All the major lending institutions...

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 32: In page 69, lines 28 and 29, to delete "mortgagor, or on one of 2 or more mortgagors," and substitute "mortgagor".

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 33: In page 74, line 37, after "section" to insert "or section 31".

Land and Conveyancing Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (1 Jul 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 34: In page 75, line 1, to delete "rights or". These are drafting amendments which will bring the text into line with other sections of the Bill.