Results 9,501-9,520 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of Thursday, 6 November 2008 and the written reply to that question in relation to the re-issue of a letter to the person concerned. The person concerned duly notified my Department of his new address. The letter referred to was re-issued, by registered post, to the person concerned, by letter dated 19 January 2009.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (27 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 8 of 18 December 2008. I have nothing further to add to the details of that reply.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the expenses and allowances paid to each Minister and Minister of State at my Department is set out in the table below. The Deputy should note that details have also been included in respect of expenses and allowances paid to my predecessor and Minister of State Séan Power during their term at this Department. Travel and...

Business of Dáil (20 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Scurrilous.

Business of Dáil (20 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is a disgrace.

Business of Dáil (20 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is speaking out of both sides of his mouth.

Business of Dáil (20 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin was a banker himself.

Business of Dáil (20 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: When Deputy Barrett was Chief Whip he had no problem in introducing and passing Bills in one day.

Business of Dáil (20 Jan 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Let him speak.

Written Answers — Programme for Government: Programme for Government (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: A community service order requires an offender to perform unpaid work for between 40 and 240 hours, usually to be completed within 12 months. The aim of a community service order is to rehabilitate the offender and bring about meaningful reparation to the community for his or her crime. The Probation Service of my Department has responsibility for the supervision and management of these...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together. I have already dealt with many of the issues raised by the Deputies in my earlier reply to Question No. 2. As I said since it became fully operational in 1999 over 45 million euro has been provided by the State for the activities of the Equality Authority alone. In total, in the last five years my Department alone has spent €127 million...

Written Answers — Firearms Licences: Firearms Licences (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will be aware that prior to 2004 there was a de facto ban on handguns in this jurisdiction. However, I understand from the Garda Authorities that records indicate approximately 1,800 handguns have been licensed since the beginning of 2004 and that 31 have been stolen in that period. I am further advised that stolen firearms are used in the course of the commission of other...

Written Answers — Garda Proceedings: Garda Proceedings (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 sets out the duties and responsibilities of the Garda Commissioner in the direction and control of the Force and of the Garda Ombudsman Commission in the investigation of complaints. Where the Garda Ombudsman Commission investigates a complaint or any other matter, it must include in its report to the Garda Commissioner a statement of the facts established, a...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The number of Community Gardaí has grown significantly in recent years. The total personnel strength attached to Community Policing at the 30th of November 2008 was 689, up from 452 at the end of 2005. That is an increase of 237, or 52%. While these dedicated Community Gardaí carry out valuable specific duties in the community, it is important to appreciate that this supplements rather...

Written Answers — Bail Law: Bail Law (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The operation of the bail laws in force is kept under review. The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution allows for bail to be refused to a person charged with a serious offence, where it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person. The Bail Act 1997 gave effect to this Amendment and also tightened up the bail regime generally. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in my contribution to the budget debate I decided that the main priority in the Justice area in 2009 will be tackling crime. In that regard, decisions about funding reflect that priority with the result that in a small number of areas budgets have been reduced significantly. Moreover, in line with Government policies generally I have asked all bodies to substantially reduce...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 69 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the attested personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 30 November 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,445. In addition, on that date there were 945 student Gardaí in training who have yet to be attested. This means that, after allowing for anticipated...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case offered a thorough independent analysis of the facts surrounding the false confession made by Dean Lyons based on the evidence of all relevant witnesses. It concluded that there was no deliberate attempt to undermine the rights of Dean Lyons. At page 12 of his Report Mr Birmingham (now Judge Birmingham) makes it clear that...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Water Unit is a national Unit based in Santry Garda Station and Athlone Garda Station. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are currently liaising with the Office of Public Works to identify suitable accommodation and storage facilities in Athlone for the members of the Garda Water Unit and their equipment, vessels and vehicles. A property has been identified as being...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints: Garda Complaints (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 64 and 65 together. The report and recommendations referred to relate to the alleged leaking of official material from Garda sources to the media relating to a deceased person. The full text of the Ombudsman Commission's report in relation to this matter is available on its website. The report recommends to the Garda Commissioner that supervisory ranks of...