Results 7,841-7,860 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern
- Prison Building Programme. (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: Regarding the Deputy's assertion that I did not indicate at any stage there were any difficulties with this, as I said many times, I was not privy to, nor did I take part in, any of the negotiations. I was informed by my officials as to how the discussions were going. No more than anyone in this House, I was agitating to ensure this would be built as soon as possible so we could have the...
- Prison Building Programme. (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: I wish to scotch the myth of this being a super prison, it is eight separate facilities within an overall site. It was designed in such a way that all of the separate facilities could share services and provide value for money due to the economies of scale involved. That goes back to the point I made earlier, that it is better to have sizeable prisons rather than a plethora of smaller...
- Prison Building Programme. (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: No, that was the position under which the project was going to be financed if we had gone with this tender. We will consider other options. In the meantime, thanks to the good judgment of this Government, we have a National Pensions Reserve Fund. Despite the criticism of the sale of Eircom, the first deposit into the fund was â¬8 billion from that sale. In addition, we passed legislation...
- Prison Building Programme. (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: The possibility exists for the use of those funds. That is something we will consider. I have already had discussions with the Minister for Finance about the use of the National Pensions Reserve Fund for the overall building programme. This Government stands on its record, in that since 1997 we have increased the number of prison places by 1,300, in total contrast to what happened...
- Prison Building Programme. (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: Because we would expect that, given the prevailing economic circumstances and market conditions, that other bidders would be able to give a better reduction on the construction costs. That was not the case in respect of this particular tenderer and that is why ultimately it was not affordable. On the hundreds of millions and the 30% increase, one cannot build a prison with eight facilities...
- Prison Building Programme. (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: I did, surely.
- Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte, himself, is not averse to lobbying.
- Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: It is a deep distortion of my position to say that I am doing this as a reaction to what has happened in Limerick or that it is a panacea to deal with organised crime. It is not.
- Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: I did not say Deputy Rabbitte did.
- Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: No. I am trying to prevent a gun culture becoming the norm in society.
- Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person in question was refused refugee status following appeal in 2002 and is therefore not entitled to be issued with an Irish travel document. The person concerned currently has temporary permission to remain in the State until 18 July 2010. The person in question sought an Irish temporary travel document in April...
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: The General Scheme of the Civil Partnership Bill, published in June 2008, extends provisions analogous to those in the Family Home Protection Act 1976 to the shared home of registered civil partners. The provisions are contained in Heads 33 to 46 of the General Scheme. The Government Legislation Programme published on 22 April 2009 provides for the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill...
- Written Answers — Bench Warrants: Bench Warrants (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 36,916 bench warrants recorded as un-executed as of 17 May, 2009. It is inevitable in any criminal justice system that at any given time there will be a significant number of warrants awaiting execution. The Garda authorities are committed to strengthening the warrants in the system enforcement process. The Commissioner has raised the...
- Written Answers — State Passports: State Passports (20 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: The person in question contacted my Department last year regarding difficulties she was encountering when travelling to the USA. My Department confirmed that she held a passport which is valid until 2014 which should have met the requirements of the US visa waiver programme. I understand that the difficulties she has encountered in travelling to the USA have arisen because her identity...
- Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: The Labour Party has none.
- Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is being selective.
- Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: And Iceland.
- Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: Iceland.
- Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: Wrong.
- Order of Business (19 May 2009)
Dermot Ahern: That is what he wants.