Results 8,921-8,940 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Community Gardaí on 31 January 2009, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 706. All Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single member or unit within the Garda Síochána, and I agree...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

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

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in my reply to question number 68 of 18 December 2008 the Morris Tribunal has completed its work and has produced a total of eight reports. The Government has already taken strong action on foot of its recommendations. This action includes: the passage of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the most significant piece of legislation relating to An Garda Síochána in the history of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ Number 45 of today's date. Work on the drafting of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering) Bill, which forms part of the Government's legislative programme, is underway and publication is scheduled for later this year. The Bill, which seeks to transpose the Third Money Laundering Directive into Irish law, will contain provisions to ensure that places...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: A decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the court, which is, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of its judicial functions. There is a constitutional presumption in favour of bail, since, in the eyes of the law, a person is innocent until proven guilty. The bail referendum in 1996 allows for bail to be refused where a person is...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The most recent crime statistics released by the CSO, in respect of 2008, show a number of encouraging trends. There was a decrease of 42.9% in the number of homicide offences, which includes a decrease of 36.4% in murder and of 57.1% in manslaughter. Aggravated sexual assault decreased by 33.3% and assault causing harm by 2.2%. Nevertheless the number of violent crimes committed remains a...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Smithwick Tribunal was established in May 2005. The cost of the Tribunal (to end-January 2009) is €4,869,390. The Tribunal is in an investigative phase at present. I met with the Chairman of the Tribunal last July and during that meeting I conveyed the Government's view that the legal costs of tribunals should be strictly managed. I also informed him that the Minister for Finance...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management, through ongoing monitoring and analysis of crime trends in Donegal Garda Division, is aware of an increase in the incidents referred to by the Deputy. These incidents are under active Garda investigation. Additional patrols by uniform and plain clothes personnel have been put in place in the areas concerned and resources...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The strength of the Garda Reserve as of 31 of January 2009 was 327, allocated to the following stations: Number Number Anglesea Street 11 Kilkenny 6 Arklow 1 Kilmainham 4 Ashbourne 1 Letterkenny 5 Athlone 1 Longford 1 Balbriggan 3 Lucan 7 Ballina 3 Macroom 1 Ballyfermot 3 Malahide 1 Baltinglass 1 Mayfield 3 Ballymun 6 Middleton 3 Bandon 1 Monaghan Town 4 Blackrock 5 Mullingar 6...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that resource levels at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation are constantly monitored by Garda Management, taking into account crime trends and competing demands. These are kept under review to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible service is provided to the public. In addition, there are currently one Detective...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with the Government Decisions on these matters, the related budgetary savings will fall to be achieved across the Justice Group of Votes, including on the Garda Vote in 2009. While the detail in relation to these and other budgetary matters is at an advanced stage, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on their composition at this point, pending the finalisation...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I have previously informed the House that I received an interim report from the Garda Commissioner on this particular case. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an internal Garda inquiry into the matter is ongoing. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has indicated that it has opened a public interest investigation in relation to the withdrawing of charges against an individual....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill is on the A list of the Government's Legislation Programme for this session. The main aim of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of a DNA database for the purposes of criminal investigations and the identification of missing and unknown persons. While the drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage, its finalisation has...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Payments: Social Welfare Payments (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that pursuant to the statutory remit of the Criminal Assets Bureau, personnel from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, who are Bureau Officers attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau, investigate and determine social welfare entitlements of persons who are suspected of acquiring assets which are believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I determined the following matters as priorities for the Garda Síochána for 2009, in accordance with Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. National and International Security — To protect the security of the State and the people against domestic and international terrorism. Crime — To target serious crime, in particular organised, gun and drug related crime. Traffic — To...

Written Answers — Fingerprints Records: Fingerprints Records (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the transposition of fingerprints records onto the upgraded Garda Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) was achieved by back record conversion, an internationally accepted method for such a task. The process was carried out at a location in the United States of America as part of the contract for the delivery of the new system and...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The legislation which will give effect to the third EU Money Laundering Directive (and the related Implementing Directive) is being drafted at present. This legislation will also take into account relevant recommendations arising from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) third mutual evaluation report (2006) on Ireland's measures to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. ...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: While the number of murders committed involving knives showed a welcome decrease last year from 32 in 2007 to 11, the overall number of crimes committed using knives is a matter of concern. Though legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is already very strong and heavy penalties are already in place, I am moving to strengthen the law in this area. In that context, I sought and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The criteria for appointments to the Board of the Equality Authority are set out in Section 44(1) of the Employment Equality Act 1998, which state: "Of the ordinary members of the Authority— (a) two, one male and one female, shall be persons appointed on the nomination by such organisations representative of employees as the Minister considers appropriate, (b) two, one male and one female,...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Feb 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 112 together. The following table contains the number of cases of murder recorded in which firearms were used, the number of prosecutions initiated and the number of convictions secured in each year from 1998 to 2008 and to date in 2009. Figures provided for 2009 are provisional, operational and liable to change. The detection rate for murders by its...