Results 10,281-10,300 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The strong advice is that, particularly in the context of a jury trial, a superintendent under cross-examination may not give adverse evidence against an accused who is still innocent until proven guilty.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The registration of mobile telephones is a difficult issue which I know from my time as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. An important trial in combating mobile telephones in prisons took place at the Midlands Prison which has been successful. Recently on a visit to a prison in Italy, its authorities told me they were fascinated by the technology we will use.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The problem with blocking mobile telephone reception in prisons such as Mountjoy and Portlaoise is they have two hospitals adjacent to them. The latest technology used in the midlands has been successful and will be rolled out.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I accept that and it is a very difficult issue. What is to be done with existing mobile telephones?

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The covert surveillance legislation will be brought to the Government next week. Deputy Rabbitte did introduce a Bill in this area but it had major flaws in it, particularly regarding its oversight provisions. His Bill proposed that the oversight of covert surveillance by the Garda Síochána would be a function of the Garda Ombudsman's office. That is objectionable as they are the very...

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, its function is oversee complaints about the Garda. The Government's Bill will follow the same principle of judicial oversight as set out in the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993. The Deputy's Bill proposed the Garda could not operate covert surveillance, which it is doing at the moment albeit on a non-statutory basis, until it was...

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is true.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: While I accept putting covert surveillance on a statutory footing, the reality is that it has existed for some time. It may also be the case that the Garda does not want to bring covert surveillance in particular instances into evidence in the courts. The Deputy may or may not know that as a result of the victims initiative I announced some months ago, I will soon be bringing to the...

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have agreed the heads of the Bill and it will go to the Government next week. It will be introduced as soon as possible thereafter.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: With regard to the drugs task forces, ultimately the division of resources in the Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but I will raise with him the issues mentioned by the Deputy. There is a programme to increase the number of sniffer dog teams for drug enforcement duties. Deputy O'Sullivan mentioned the amounts of money involved in confiscation of assets by the CAB....

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The budget of the Director of Public Prosecutions has been dramatically increased over the last number of years. I am not aware of any delays or difficulties other than the normal legal delays. With regard to practical steps for victims, I refer the Deputy to what I said a number of months ago about the Justice for Victims initiative. I am accepting many of the recommendations in the...

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——to send a strong message, particularly to the wider community.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: While my Department and the Garda Síochána are homing in on supply, the reality is that there is also a demand. It is incumbent on us, if we are to do any justice to Shane Geoghegan, to remind the people we represent that when they take cocaine, heroin or whatever, they are feeding the crime gangs — those people who are bringing about the awful deaths of Shane Geoghegan and others.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: That provision is already there.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is already there.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I will give the Deputy those figures too.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I will give that figure too.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy O'Donnell raised a number of issues earlier this week, some of which I had an opportunity to answer in the Seanad yesterday. The Criminal Justice Act 2006 specified new offences of membership of an organised criminal gang, carrying a penalty of five years, and committing an offence for a criminal gang, which carries a penalty of ten years. To answer Deputy Flanagan, who questioned...

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There is some difficulty in finding exact figures under the system.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Dermot Ahern: However, we estimate that 23 proceedings were taken in 2006, 54 in 2007 and 10 in 2008.