Results 9,521-9,540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 42 together. One of the policing priorities set for An Garda Síochána for 2008 under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is to combat, particularly in co-operation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder with a particular emphasis being placed on alcohol related behaviour (including under age drinking) and socially...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 43 and 54 together. The Garda Commissioner informs me that 31 legally held handguns have been stolen since the start of 2004. The breakdown by year is as follows: Year Handguns recorded as stolen 2008 4 2007 6 2006 11 2005 7 2004 3 *Figures provided are provisional/operational and liable to change. As the Deputy is aware, for over 30 years prior...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 2 of the 18 December 2008. I have nothing further to add to the details of that reply.

Written Answers — Court Awards: Court Awards (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy concerning the amounts paid out in Court awards and out of court settlements in relation to actions taken against members of An Garda Síochána relating to assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in the table below. Actions taken by Civilians against Gardai The number of cases settled/or awards made by the Courts...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 341 on 18 November 2008.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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 2007 and to date in 2008. Figures provided for 2008 are provisional, operational and liable to change. One of the main priorities I have set for An Garda Síochána in 2009 is to target gun crime,...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Legislation to give effect to Directive 2005/60/EC known as the 3rd EU Money Laundering Directive and the related Implementing Directive 2006/70/EC is being drafted at present. The proposed 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...

Written Answers — Criminal Gangs: Criminal Gangs (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that there are strategies in place to deal with criminal gangs in prisons. A number of recent initiatives have been introduced with a view to preventing identified gang leaders from conducting their business while in custody and also to prevent them exerting inappropriate influence over other persons. A High Security Unit was opened in Cloverhill Prison in May...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: This matter is under consideration in my Department. Having regard to the sensitivity and complexity of the issues involved in any significant extension of search powers, including issues of constitutional importance, I am unable to say at this stage when proposals will be available.

Written Answers — Translation Services: Translation Services (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Since the mid 1990s Ireland had significant rates of net inward migration. The immigrant population comprises United Kingdom nationals who have been coming here for many years, nationals of European Economic Area countries who have in large part free movement entitlements, and persons from other countries. Obviously the language needs of such persons vary greatly depending on their individual...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 48 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the report of the Working Group on the National Model of Community Policing is being considered by Senior Garda Management. I look forward to seeing the proposals which emerge from the report. The national strategies for Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert, both of which were launched in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following the approval by the Government of my proposals and the publication of the General Scheme of the Bill on 18 November, 2008, the matter of the drafting of the BilI is now being dealt with by Parliamentary Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General. I expect that the Bill will be published early in the new year and enacted as soon as possible.

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the murder of the person concerned is under active Garda investigation. The Deputy will appreciate that as the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

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

Dermot Ahern: There are three types of less lethal weapons currently used by members of An Garda Síochána. They are conductive electric devices, beanbag (impact projectile) and incapacitant spray. These less lethal weapons are currently available for use by members of the Emergency Response Unit and the Regional Support Unit. I am advised by the Garda authorities that members receive initial training...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the firing range in Garda Headquarters was closed in December 2005 on a precautionary basis due to possible health and safety issues. There has been considerable investment in training facilities over the past two years including the provision of two Prefabricated Modular Firearms ranges at the Garda College and in the Dublin Metropolitan region....

Written Answers — Criminal Offences: Criminal Offences (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which came into affect in May 2007, makes it an offence for a prisoner to have unauthorised possession of or use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalty for such an offence, on summary conviction, is a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 204 together. Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act relating to anti-social behaviour by children was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social...

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

Dermot Ahern: I informed the House previously that I received an interim report from the Garda Commissioner on a particular case involving a convicted drug dealer. An internal Garda inquiry is ongoing into the matter at present. The House will also be aware that I agreed to a request from the Garda Commissioner that the interim report provided to me should be forwarded to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that difficulties regarding reduced availability of personnel resulted in the dispatch function of the Communications Centre for certain Divisions in the Dublin Metropolitan Region being handed over to various Garda stations. This was brought to the attention of Garda management and steps have been taken to increase the number of personnel assigned to...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (18 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I must emphasise that I attach the highest priority to tackling organised and gun crime and bringing those involved in such activities to justice. One of the main priorities I have set for An Garda Síochána in 2009 is to target gun crime, organised crime and drug related crime through a range of measures, including the use of the Garda specialist units and targeted operations such as...