Results 10,221-10,240 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern
- Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: In my Department work on progressing the preparation of the heads of a Bill to give effect to the legislative elements of the 'Justice for Victims Initiative' which I announced in June of this year is well advanced. While I am unable to give a precise date for submission of the heads to Government at this time, I remain committed to publishing the Bill in the Spring of 2009 and I am...
- Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: This commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government 2007 â 2012 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 — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (13 Nov 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 in 2008 up to 10 November, 2008. Figures provided for 2008 are provisional, operational and liable to change. One of the main priorities set for the Garda SÃochána is to target gun...
- Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 160 and 169 together. I can assure the Deputy that the areas of organised crime, gun crime and drugs continue to be a top policing priority for the Government and the Garda Commissioner and the resources available for tackling such crime will be kept under constant review. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that they have...
- Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: In my answer of 2 October to Parliamentary Questions No. 16, 35, 67 and 92 I provided a comprehensive response on this issue. The position remains unchanged.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question in this regard on 2 October 2008. The position has not changed in the meantime.
- Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: Negotiations are currently under way with a commercial consortium, which was selected following an EU tender procedure as the preferred bidder for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the proposed prison facilities at Thornton Hall, North County Dublin. While these negotiations are at an advanced stage they have not yet been completed to the point that the Project Agreement...
- Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: Both the seventh and eighth reports of the Morris Tribunal were the subject of debate in Dáil Ãireann on 22 October and in Seanad Ãireann on the 30th. The seventh report of the Morris Tribunal related to allegations of ongoing harassment of the McBrearty family as instanced by the issuance of 68 summonses against that family and their associates. Members of the Garda SÃochána severely...
- Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: Since the opening of the Dóchas Centre in 1999, there has been a serious overcrowding problem there, even with the benefit of an additional 20 spaces provided in the final phase of its construction. I do not regard this as an acceptable situation. On 7 November 2008 there were 111 prisoners in custody in the Dóchas Centre. This figure exceeded the bed capacity by 31%. In addition there...
- Written Answers — Immigrant Registration: Immigrant Registration (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The revised fee of â¬150 is effective in respect of all registrations by non-EEA migrants with the Garda National Immigration Bureau applied for on or after 23 August 2008. Since 19 August last, this registration system has been enhanced by the commencement of the roll out of a fingerprinting system for all persons who are required to obtain permission to reside in the State. Non-nationals...
- Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 28 May 2008. The position remains unchanged.
- Written Answers — Garda Remuneration: Garda Remuneration (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The amount allocated under the estimates process for Garda pay, including overtime, in 2009 is â¬1,090,332,000. The amount allocated in 2008 was â¬1,100,934,000. These figures include pay for both members of the Garda SÃochána and civilian staff. The personnel strength of the Garda SÃochána on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 14,284....
- Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I am advised that Garda management within the Dublin Metropolitan Region are unaware of any Garda patrol vehicles being restricted at Halloween due to resourcing of radio control systems. A particular issue with personnel resources arose at the Communications Centre for the Dublin Metropolitan Region on 31st October 2008. This matter was brought to the immediate attention of Garda Management...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: Over the last number of years the Government has been aware of and concerned by the increasing prevalence of cocaine use in Ireland. We are not alone in this as this development reflects increasing use of the drug across all of Europe in recent times. The drug prevalence study recently produced by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) which measured illegal drug use in Ireland over...
- Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I am informed the Garda authorities that Garda management is aware of the activities referred to by the Deputy and that a number of incidents of this type are currently the subject of investigation. I am further informed that any complaints received by the Garda authorities are the subject of investigation and possible criminal proceedings where the evidence disclosed so warrants.
- Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: It is the responsibility of the commercial consortium, under the PPP process, to arrange the funding and other resources to deliver the project and to have them in place when the contract is signed. It is not appropriate, for commercial and procurement reasons, for me to comment on the specific financial funding aspects of the PPP contract negotiations which are currently in progress. I can...
- Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I wish to advise the Deputy that there has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population over recent years. This situation is particularly apparent over the past 12 months during which time the total number in custody has increased by approximately 350. The Government has committed significant resources to the provision of additional prison spaces in recent years resulting in...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I have requested this information from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy when it is to hand.
- Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The staff appointed to my office are set out in the following table: Rank/Responsibility Salary Range Special Adviser â¬86,168 â â¬106,582 Press Adviser â¬86,168 â â¬106,582 Personal Assistant â¬46,558 â â¬59,097 Personal Secretary â¬30,566 â â¬50,410 *My Personal Secretary is located at the Department's offices, while my Personal Assistant is located at my...
- Written Answers — Judicial Appointment: Judicial Appointment (13 Nov 2008)
Dermot Ahern: A judge is assigned on a temporary basis to Waterford District at present. Plans are in place to make a permanent assignment in the very near future.