Results 8,181-8,200 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The recruitment of a new CEO for the Authority is going ahead under the auspices of a public competition being organised by the Public Appointments Service. I am advised that there is a very considerable level of interest in the post and therefore it could be some time yet before a candidate is selected for appointment, by the Equality Authority, under the normal statutory procedures.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has received the report from the Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee for the year 2008. That report has been translated in accordance with the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 2003 and I am arranging to have it published as soon as possible. I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no role in relation to the investigation or prosecution of cases. I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 7 March, 2009 a complaint was received from the National Gallery of Ireland by An Garda Síochána at Pearse Street in respect of an incident. In the course of the investigation into this incident, a second incident was reported to An Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with EU Directives, national public procurement procedures and relevant legislation, An Garda Síochána engaged in a procurement process for the provision and operation of safety cameras. As a result, a preferred supplier has been selected, allowing for the contract discussion phase of the procurement process to proceed. Following the supplementary budget submitted by the...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The information on the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of those sections of the Programme for Government referred to by the Deputy is published on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach. It can be accessed at www.taoiseach.gov.ie under Publications (archive 2008). The information will be updated later this year.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 133 and 474 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the incident to which the Deputies refer remains the subject of an active and ongoing investigation. Shortly after the incident a number of persons were arrested. Charges have been preferred against two of those arrested, and these individuals are currently before the Courts. A sum of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The allocation of duties among members of the Garda Síochána, including security and protection duties, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, who has made clear the priority he attaches to front-line operational policing through measures such as Operation Anvil and the recent establishment of the Organised Crime Unit. There has been a very considerable increase in Garda resources in...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has responsibility for seven EU Directives which have to be implemented. Four of these Directives are overdue. They are: Council Directive 2005/85/EC of 1 December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status. Irish law and practice in this area is already substantially in compliance with the terms of this Directive. The...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that my Department, in accordance with EU Directive 2000/84/EC, compiled and communicated submissions in respect of this issue to the European Commission from a number of relevant Departments and semi-state bodies in July 2007. Following consideration of the information made available to it from Member States, the European Commission reported that it took the view...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 25 February 2009. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my reply to Question No. 131 of 25 March 2009, the Value for Money review of the Equality Authority has not yet concluded. This, however, is expected to be finalised in the near future. The decision on publication of the report will be taken in due course.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I share the horror expressed by all sides of the House in response to last month's murders in Northern Ireland. The groups responsible for these heinous crimes represent no-one but themselves. Their actions show nothing but contempt for the will of the Irish people. Having said that, the Deputy will understand that it would neither be helpful nor wise for me to comment on the specific...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 476 together. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of attested members of An Garda Síochána on 28th February 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,371. The number of recruits in training (Phases 1 to 3) at that date was 1,043. The number of probationer Gardaí who have been...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Government Legislation Programme announced on 22 April 2009 does not provide for any proposals to amend the law on bankruptcy. However, operation of the law contained in the Bankruptcy Act 1988 continues to be reviewed in my Department.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 127 together. As the Deputy is aware, in January of this year I announced the establishment of a Project Board, led by the Probation Service, to examine specific possibilities as well as the implementation of electronic monitoring more generally, in this jurisdiction. The Project Board has commenced its examination which includes the cost and...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The position with regard to the Minister of State's visit to Nigeria was set out in his reply to Question No. 289 on 31 March, 2009.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I attach a high level of priority to ensuring that asylum applications are dealt with fairly and as quickly as possible, so as to minimise the cost to the State. The costs associated with the asylum system are multi-faceted but centre mainly on accommodation, application processing and operational costs and costs associated with judicial reviews. Inter-related factors include the numbers in...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I understand from the Garda Authorities that the current Code of Practice for the management and use of intelligence sources became organisational policy effective from April, 2006. The Code of Practice brings together established best practice and the recommendations made by Mr Justice Frederick Morris in the report from the Tribunal of Inquiry into the activities of certain Gardaí in the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Privacy Bill 2006, is before the Seanad, having been restored to the Seanad Order Paper in late 2007 by the Leader of the Seanad. My Department continues to review the provisions in the Bill taking into account developments in the interpretation of the law of privacy in our courts and elsewhere, with a view to possible amendments to the Bill.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (22 Apr 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the response to Parliamentary Question number 711 of 27 January 2009 which outlines both the immediate and longer term plans for the station which includes the provision of a Divisional Headquarters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the short term office accommodation facilities are planned to be ready for occupation later this year.