Results 9,941-9,960 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (3 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In the first ten months of 2008, 3,729 people registered an interest in becoming a member of the Garda Reserve. In that time, 633 people were scheduled for interview by the Public Appointments Service and 496 people actually attended for interview. A total of 325 people were successful at this stage and 10 of these people were unsuccessful in their medical test because their auditory...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (3 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Peace Commissioners are appointed under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. On appointment Peace Commissioners are issued with a guidance manual explaining their role and duties. This manual is updated, from time to time, to take account of changes in legislation.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. ...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 to 264, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of fixed charge notices issued for speeding in each of the following Garda Divisions to date in 2008: Division Total Cork City 5,412 Cork North 5,074 Cork West 2,654 Figures provided are operational, provisional and liable to change. I am also...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations in Ireland, registered with the Unit, which employ personnel to work in a full-time, part-time or voluntary capacity with children and/or vulnerable adults. The procedure is also conducted for fostering and the Adoption Board. The service being provided is continually being extended, on a phased...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently 15,600 applications for naturalisation with the Citizenship Division of my Department that are still awaiting a decision. The number of applications which were made more than 18 months ago is 6,400 and of these 30% (1,900) are on hold awaiting a response from the applicant and 44% (2,800) are awaiting a response from other statutory bodies as part of the normal...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I intend to introduce measures that will address the Deputy's, and my own, concerns in relation to this matter in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which will be published in the coming weeks. While I recognise that further measures are necessary, I should point out that the use of such equipment during the course of committing an offence carries with it heavy penalties.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Refugee Act 1996 is the principal legal instrument in Irish law dealing with refugee matters. The Act provides for the designation of a country as a safe country of origin. There is no provision providing for the designation of a country as a safe country for the return of refugees as referred to in the question. Section 12(4) of the Act provides for the procedure for the designation of a...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in April 2007. Officials in that section inform me that processing of the application has commenced and the file will be forwarded to me for a decision in the coming months. Officials inform me that there is no record of an...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An extensive search conducted by the relevant officials in my Department has not located any record of the application to which the Deputy refers. As such, the position remains unchanged from that given in my reply to Parliamentary Question No 955 of 24 September, 2008. Any application received will be given prompt attention by the relevant officials, and the person concerned will be...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in September 2004 under family reunification.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned applied for asylum on 22 August 2007. His application was refused following consideration of his 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 22 August 2008, that the Minister...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Based on the information provided, my Department has no record of current visa applications for the persons in question.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in February 2007. Officials in that section inform me that a letter requesting further documentation was sent to the applicant on 25 June 2008. To date, no reply has been received. Further processing of the application will commence...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 134 on 23 October 2008. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that they have requested the information sought from the Garda Authorities. The Immigration Division will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Persecution, within the meaning of the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, arises in relation to an application for asylum. Applications for asylum in Ireland are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 281 and 290 together. I understand from the Garda Authorities that records indicate that 27 handguns (to 14th November, 2008) have been stolen since 2005 — primarily during burglaries from dwelling houses. A further 1,236 other firearms were stolen during the same period, with a total of 373 recovered. I am further advised that stolen firearms are used...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Dec 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised that it is the policy of the Office of Public Works to provide for universal access in all new projects, including Garda stations, and as far as is practicable in all other projects. Older buildings and/or protected structures, many of which predate the introduction of current accessibility legislation, can present issues that make such provision problematic. I am advised by...