Results 10,601-10,620 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 9121/08 on 4th March 2008, any significant extension of Garda search powers beyond those already available in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 gives rise to consideration of highly sensitive issues, including ones of Constitutional importance. In this regard I have in mind, for example,...

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal is a statutory independent body established under the Refugee Act, 1996 to deal with appeals against negative recommendations in respect of applications for refugee status issued by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC). The Tribunal has been in operation since November 2000 and comprises a full time Chairperson...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The information sought by the Deputy about the number of applications for asylum received in each of the last 5 years is set out in the table below. Asylum Applications Received — 2003 to 2007 Year No. of asylum applications received 2003 7,900 2004 4,766 2005 4,323 2006 4,314 2007 3,985 Total 25,288 Timescales for the processing of asylum applications Asylum applications are...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 56 together. Sentence management processes have operated in the prison system for many years to the benefit of prisoners and the community. Over much of this time, the development of these processes to their full potential has, however, been constrained by a number of factors. New regulatory, organisational and working arrangements together with the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 provides a mechanism by which persons detained in the Central Mental Hospital may be released conditionally or unconditionally by the Criminal Law (Mental Health) Review Board, depending on the circumstances. It is my intention to introduce certain amendments to the Act in this area shortly which will augment the powers of the Board in the light of recent...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The civilianisation programme proposed for An Garda Síochána is being implemented by the Garda Commissioner and significant progress has been made to date in the recruitment of civilian staff. The number of full and part-time civilian staff assigned to the Garda Síochána as at the 31 March 2008 was 2,461. The number of full-time equivalent civilian staff of An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 48 together. The Garda Commissioner is establishing Regional Support Units (RSUs) in the Garda regions outside Dublin to act as a primary response to critical incidents, pending the arrival of the Emergency Response Unit. These RSUs will be drawn from the existing regional Garda resources and the Gardaí involved in these teams will receive training...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an interim solution for the recording of Behaviour Warnings, Good Behaviour Contracts and Civil Orders issued under the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 on the PULSE system is currently being piloted. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that the development of a full IT solution for capturing and processing such of information is under review.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following contacts with the Chief Justice on the proposals for a Judicial Council Bill, a working group has now been established to advance the Bill. The Group comprises a nominee each of my Department and of the Chief Justice. I am confident that this approach will ensure that the details of the proposed Bill can be finalised in the reasonably near future.

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I share the view of the Garda Inspectorate, expressed in its most recent report, that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a working group has developed proposals for a comprehensive model of rural and urban community policing. The group has completed its report, and it is...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that a drug detection dog service is operating on a pilot basis in the Irish Prison Service since May 2006. The service is currently provided on contract by a UK company and started in the Midlands Prison. It has since been extended and currently four dog/handler teams operate in the Midlands Complex, the Mountjoy Complex, Wheatfield/Cloverhill Prisons, and...

Written Answers — Sex Offender Treatment Programme: Sex Offender Treatment Programme (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can advise the Deputy that every effort is made to assist sex offenders in custody who are willing to participate at any level in rehabilitation and relapse prevention. There are three main forms of direct therapeutic intervention for sex offenders currently operating within the Irish prison system. These are as follows: an intensive sex offender programme which has been in operation...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 March 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the total strength in the Limerick Division was 601, broken down as follows: Stations C/Supt Supt Insp Sergt Gda Total Henry St 1 2 7 26 194 230 Mary St — — — 1 13 14 Castleconnell — — — 1 4 5 Ardnacrusha — — — 1 3 4 Mayorstone Pk — — — 13...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 69 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 — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 85 together. The Government attaches the highest importance to ending gangland violence and bringing those involved to justice. Relentless activity by An Garda Síochána, under Operation Anvil in particular, is being deployed to deal with these gangs. The primary focus of Operation Anvil is the disruption of serious and organised crime. An...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An Garda Síochána proactively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour. Additional foot and mobile patrols are directed to areas subject to such behaviour during such times when these offences are more likely to occur. All such incidents detected by members on patrol or reported to An Garda Síochána are dealt with immediately and the suspected offenders are dealt with in...

Written Answers — Sale of Alcohol: Sale of Alcohol (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Provisions for controlling supply to and consumption of intoxicating liquor by persons under the age of 18 years are contained in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended. The national age card scheme by the Garda Síochána has facilitated the Force, in co-operation with the licensed trade, in addressing and combating the problem of underage drinking. The age card scheme allows any...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of ongoing problems of public disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area concerned. Community Gardaí are in constant contact with schools and youth groups in the area, and there have been a number of seminars with local community groups and the business community in an effort to evaluate the extent of the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Engagement with rural communities and rural policing is one of the priorities of An Garda Síochána. Senior Garda management continually monitor resources and policing initiatives to ensure that the service being provided to these communities by Garda personnel is continuously improving. As of 31 March, 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 13,900 fully...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that following the success of this local initiative in Blanchardstown, the National Drugs Strategy Team is currently finalising proposals to begin a national roll out of this programme this year in conjunction with the fourteen local and ten regional drug task forces.