Results 7,861-7,880 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There are many people up my way who want answers.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: That is what he wanted.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: All of the provisions of the Children Act 2001, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2006, have now been commenced. Section 258 was brought fully into operation by S.I. No. 151/2002 from 1 May 2002. To date, no order under section 258 has been made excluding or modifying the application of the section to particular jobs, professions or posts.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, 277, 279, 281 and 288 together. One of the strategic goals set out in the Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy 2007-2009 is to significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and serious injuries on the roads and improve road safety. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there has been no reduction in the efforts of members of An Garda...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that this matter is not the direct responsibility of my Department. The position in this regard is that all matters concerning legislation or implementation of policy in relation to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that this matter is not the direct responsibility of my Department. As the question relates primarily to children's rights, it is my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, who has primary responsibility for the implementation of policy in this area.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 which inserted new provisions in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 and sections 26 and 28 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 (as inserted by section 11 of the Children Act 1997) have not been commenced.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person referred to by the Deputy provided a voluntary DNA sample to assist in a criminal investigation. An Garda Síochána has requested the Forensic Science Laboratory to destroy the sample. The person referred to will be advised when this has taken place.

Written Answers — Victims Commission: Victims Commission (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Children at Risk in Ireland (CARI) provides a counselling and a court accompaniment service for victims of child sexual abuse, focusing on the victim and non-abusive parents. The service is assisted through the independent Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, which operates under the aegis of my Department. The CARI helpline number is 1890 924567.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Law Reform Commission's 2008 Report on "Homicide: Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter". The Commission, in its recommendations in respect of the criminal offence of manslaughter and related motoring offences, has indicated that the existing road traffic offence of dangerous driving causing death should continue to exist alongside the more serious...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: To date a total of 28 operational Garda Reserve members and 9 Reserve trainees have moved on to become full-time members of An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Admissions and Appointments Regulations, which govern entry to An Garda Síochána, provide for recognition to be given for satisfactory service in the Reserve.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 23 February 2005. The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner made a determination that the asylum application of the person concerned be 'deemed to be withdrawn' as she did not attend at that Office within five working days of her arrival in the State nor did she notify that Office of her address in the State at that time. The person...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There is currently no application pending in my Department for residency in the case of the person whose details were supplied. If an application for asylum has been made by the person concerned the Deputy will of course be aware that it is not the practice to comment on asylum applications that are pending.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 1 April 2006. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 20 June 2007, that the Minister...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 280 together. I have been informed by the Commissioner that the personnel strength (all ranks) of the Traffic Corps as at the 31st December 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and the 31st March 2009 was as set out on the table below. The personnel strength of the Traffic Corps prior to the 31st December 2005 and the number of Gardaí who have left the Traffic...

Written Answers — Discrimination in the Workplace: Discrimination in the Workplace (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 to 273, inclusive, together. Council Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation has been transposed into Irish law through the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2008. Article 6(1) of the Directive states that "notwithstanding Article 2(2) Member States may provide that differences in treatment on...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in March 2006. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 23 months. More complicated cases can at times take more than the current average while an element of straight forward cases are now being dealt with...

Written Answers — Firearms Licences: Firearms Licences (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I do not intend to declassify paintball markers in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009. Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1925 as amended includes paintball markers in the definition of a firearm and individuals may apply to their local superintendent of the Garda Síochána for a firearms certificate in accordance with section 4 of the same Act.

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The matter referred to by the Deputy is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (19 May 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I understand from the Garda authorities that the vehicle of the person referred to, which had been stolen, was identified as being involved in a serious crime. The vehicle is being retained for evidential purposes in accordance with legislation and has been technically and forensically examined. Both the High and Supreme Court have determined that An Garda Síochána, as a police force, has...