Results 7,841-7,860 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: With all due respect, a Chathaoirligh, in fairness to Deputy McGrath, he has put a series of questions to me. There is some misunderstanding on your part as to how we conduct Question Time. I disagree with some things the Deputy has said, but I do not quite understand. It is quite usual that I make an initial reply, after which a Deputy asks a question and I respond.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: He can just talk away for four minutes. That is not correct.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: It is not fair to the Deputies opposite. It is not correct.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am trying to be of help to the Opposition. In fairness to Deputy McGrath, the Acting Chairman indicated to him that he had four minutes. My recollection from other Question Time occasions is that the Chair normally indicates to the Deputy opposite when he or she had gone past a particular point in order to allow time for the Minister to respond. It is also unsatisfactory for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I think there has been a very dramatic change in the way Priority Questions are dealt with.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am trying to be of assistance to Deputy McGrath. For once he might actually not feel the need to shout across the floor at me.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Personnel (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I announced details of the reorganisation of the PDF on 17 July last, which resulted from the Government decision to maintain the strength of the PDF at 9,500. As the reorganisation entailed a reduction in numbers across all levels of the organisation, it will have some impact on the career prospects of some members of the PDF. The approach being taken in the reorganisation is designed to...

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: Yes. Under the general legislation that applies to the Garda Síochána, it is open to the Garda Commissioner to communicate to the Minister anything of concern or relevance. To take the very issue the Senator raised, a classic situation that could arise would be where the chief bureau officer is concerned about time delays that are developing in responding to vetting applications as a...

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: Amendments Nos. 9, 11 and 12 have a similar purpose, namely, to ensure that persons working in accommodation centres for persons applying for asylum are vetted. While it may not be widely known, this is already a requirement of my Department's contracts with persons or organisations contracted to provide such accommodation. Children are accommodated in many such centres. I am proposing the...

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised that amendment No. 9 covers the issues about which the Senators are concerned. It covers any individual who works in a centre and has direct contact with children. This could well include cooking staff. However, it does not cover what I would describe as visitors to a centre because one cannot vet a visitor. If, for example, a voluntary organisation is working in the area and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I think the Acting Chairman means the Minister for Defence.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: My life is complicated enough without my becoming Minister for Finance.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: Two jobs are enough. Three would be just too much altogether.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the key changes that are being introduced in order to ensure the future viability of the Reserve Defence Force, RDF. A value for money review of the RDF was recently completed and published. This review highlighted a range of issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the cost-effectiveness of the RDF; it also highlighted that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will not be remotely surprised if I disagree with what he said. What we have tried to do is to effect a reorganisation of the RDF which reflects the reorganisation of the PDF in order that the former will be fit for purpose and include a restructured organisation which will result in a greater connectivity with the latter. We must encourage those committed individuals who are...

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: First, I will deal with the amendment, which I am unable to accept as it would contravene the provisions of a range of existing Acts. In this context, it should be borne in mind that all of the organisations listed in Schedule 2 have a statutory power provided by the Oireachtas to conduct inquiries into child safety matters, or inquiries into the fitness to practice of persons engaged in...

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Senator probably sleeps with the Children First guidelines and is completely familiar with them.

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Children First guidelines prescribe certain connectivities between various organisations but we still think there is a value in each particular organisation trying to ensure that the appropriate State bodies are directly informed by it. I would not see that as an enormous administrative burden for an organisation. It is a question of furnishing possibly identical information to two...

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: That is soft information, which falls under the aegis of the Bill. The classic example of soft information is if there has been an investigation and a serious allegation was made about children but prosecution has not been taken. Such a case is provided for in legislation.

Seanad: National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose the amendment to make it clear in the Bill that the chief bureau officer shall report to the Garda Commissioner on the performance and management of the bureau, and on any issues arising. I am mindful of the fact that section 23 already provides that the bureau will make an annual report via the Garda Commissioner to the Minister, which will be laid before the Houses of the...