Results 7,801-7,820 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government commitment to reform and modernise aspects of family law will be progressed as soon as possible having regard to the need for consultations and the need to dispose of urgent legislative matters in my Department under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for the State. As I indicated in response to Question No. 66 of 11 December 2012, I am considering the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently considering the introduction of a targeted Voluntary Redundancy Scheme in parts of the Public Service, primarily to address the issue of staff surpluses where staff cannot be redeployed within the system. Given the fact that the Defence Forces are currently below strength and that recruitment is ongoing, there are no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently considering the introduction of a targeted Voluntary Redundancy Scheme in parts of the Public Service, primarily to address the issue of staff surpluses, where such staff cannot be redeployed within the system. I am not aware of any proposal for the introduction of a separate early retirement scheme or that consideration is being...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Remuneration (18 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Government decision on the Department of Expenditure and Reform’s Review of Allowances and Premium Payments recognised that there are possible weaknesses in the pay structures applicable in the Defence Forces as these structures have evolved over very many years and have become increasingly complex. It was therefore decided that a review of the overall pay structures for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (18 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: During each European Union Presidency both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held. There is no separate Defence Ministers' Council within the EU Council of Ministers. However, twice a year - once during each Presidency - Defence Ministers attend the formal Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers’ Format. These Council meetings are held in Brussels or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: There are no plans at present to amend the Maternity Leave system to allow fathers to take some of that leave. I intend to seek Government approval shortly for the General Scheme of the Family Leave Bill which will transpose Council Directive 2010/18/EU on Parental Leave. This new legislation will provide for an additional four weeks parental leave for both mothers and fathers. The Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: In relation to the Deputy's question, I will be responding to the correspondence sent to me. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time in relation to a family law matter which has been the subject of legal proceedings.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 128, 135 and 136 together. The implications of the judgement of the Supreme Court referred to by the Deputies are being considered in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and any revised procedures arising will be implemented without delay. The Deputies should note that although the Supreme Court in its judgement quashed the Minister's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The stations selected for closure are those which are in areas that, in the professional opinion of the Garda Commissioner, could be better served by having Gardaí patrolling the areas rather than being confined to a specific premises. The Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime by taking into account and responding to local conditions and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together. The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the annual financial saving estimated to arise in respect of the closure of the stations referred to by the Deputy is Euro 4,000 per station. To a large extent these estimates relate to heating and lighting costs...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 134, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the examination surrounding the circumstances of the death of Father Niall Molloy is ongoing. The Commissioner has assured me that each and every line of inquiry is being or will be pursued. Upon receipt of a final report from the Commissioner I will review the situation. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board is a statutory, independent body in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. The issue he has raised is a matter for the Board. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Board on his behalf. I am advised that the Legal Aid Board has a full time Law Centre in Nenagh. The Centre is among a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following their examination of the report of the Moriarty Tribunal, the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been sought on the findings of that examination, with a view to determining whether or not a full Garda investigation should now be commenced.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Equitation School (13 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: At present there are no plans to close the equitation yard that is located at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp. The transition year programme, referred to by the Deputy, provides an opportunity each year for approximately 200 students from the local area to work with horses and to learn about the Defence Forces.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy has made a very interesting suggestion. I am conscious that the reserve trains but has not been deployed substantially to fulfil functions. I am concerned to ensure that the reserve force engages in work that is of benefit to the community and which its members feel is fulfilling, based on the training they have received. One of the difficulties at the moment, in practical...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is well aware, section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960, as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, makes provision for the triple lock mechanism. That is the law and our position on this issue. It would be odd to produce a Green or White Paper that omitted all references to the triple lock mechanism. The Deputy would be more excited and upset if that were...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: It is important that we review where we are, where we were in the past and what we believe will be the position in the future and the roles we can play of a constructive nature. Irish Defence Force' roles outside the domestic environment are essentially in the area of peacekeeping, peace enforcement and humanitarian assistance and will continue to be such. The south Sudan region has been...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: That is a completely different issue. I am aware of the Deputy's concern about this matter. As he will be aware, Lariam is the recommended drug of choice in dealing with malaria. Recommendations on the use of this drug include that a person be medically examined prior to it being administered; that there be no adverse impacts on an individual - the reason it is administered some time prior...

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: We have, in the context of the Defence Forces, ensured procedures that should be in place are in place. I do not know, in the context of a mission to Sudan, what will be the recommended medications. That issue has not yet come for consideration.

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The maximum information is provided for individuals on the use of Lariam, the contraindications in terms of when it should not be used and the necessity, should a person have an adverse reaction, to immediately bring the matter to the attention of medical personnel within the Defence Forces.