Results 10,681-10,700 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: In relation to the Curragh of Kildare Bill a number of technical issues arose which caused difficulty in progressing the Bill. Also the establishment of the Authority as a separate agency under the aegis of the Department of Defence (as proposed in the Bill) would involve additional costs in terms of staff, accommodation, expenses and payments to members of the Authority, which would be...

Emergency Aeromedical Service (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I will deal with some of the issues raised by the Deputy, although I cannot respond to certain questions because I will not prejudge the outcome of the investigation being conducted. Issues raised by the Deputy are directly relevant to that investigation and it is appropriate that we learn the answers from the investigation. The helicopter involved in the unfortunate accident yesterday was...

Crime Prevention (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: On the basis that the Deputy has a serious interest in these issues, I hope shortly to receive the forum report from the Garda which is anxious to ensure it is comprehensive. I anticipated originally that I might have received it by this date. As soon as I receive it, I will consider its contents. I expect it will also be made available to Members. On the cash for gold issue, the Deputy...

Crime Prevention (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Deputy for his usual constructive and coherent contribution to the debate on a serious issue. I look forward to receiving his report from the justice committee on the matter.

Garda Deployment (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides that the Minister for Justice and Equality may determine the policing priorities for the Garda Síochána for the coming year in consultation with the Garda Commissioner. The Commissioner, in turn, must take account of the policing priorities identified and submit to me by the end of October a draft policing plan for the following year....

Garda Deployment (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The statutory consultation that takes place between myself, as Minister, and the Commissioner on a draft plan has not started. I have absolutely no doubt that he is engaging in work with a view to developing a policing plan for 2013, and I do not think that matters simply stop and he does not direct his mind to this. I am not privy to any internal consultative process he may be engaged in...

Garda Deployment (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The statutory position is that the Garda Commissioner presents the draft report to the Minister and then they consult on it. In the context of there being security matters relating to that issue, it is a decision for the Minister to make. I do not intend to furnish a draft report from the Commissioner to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. It is open to the...

Crime Levels (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 19 together. While the latest recorded crime statistics show a decrease in most types of crime during 2011, I am of course concerned at the increase in certain categories of crime, notably burglaries and other property crimes. In particular, I share the widespread outrage at recent incidents of aggravated burglary where elderly people were terrorised in...

Crime Levels (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: Members of the force did more than inform the proprietors of or those who work in cash-for-gold outlets how to contact the Garda. I suspect that was not a great mystery to most of them.

Crime Levels (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: One aspect of what the officers in question did was to clearly draw to the attention of individuals operating in that industry the existing laws relating to the receipt of stolen property and, in particular, the provisions of the 2001 Act. It was very important that this was done. I cannot invent facts which, I am informed, do not currently exist. As the Deputy will have seen from the...

Crime Levels (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: No additional stations will be closed this year beyond the 39 announced at the end of 2011, eight of which had already been closed and were not functioning. A considerable number of others were open for two or three hours in the day. The busiest stations that were closed were not rural stations. They were the three Dublin stations in Dalkey, Harcourt Terrace and Whitehall. The perception...

Crime Levels (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am waiting for the report of the joint committee. I think it anomalous that certain information is required to be retained by pawnbrokers but not by others who trade in what can best be described as second-hand goods. The problem is that second-hand goods are traded at markets throughout the country and in a range of other locations. We could attempt to address the issue bit by bit and...

Garda Reserve (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 May 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Garda Reserve was 918, with a further 225 in training. The moratorium on public service recruitment does not apply to members of the Garda Reserve as they are volunteers and recruitment to the reserve is ongoing. The target strength of the Garda...

Garda Reserve (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Reserve is a tremendous resource. I have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting and talking to some members of the Garda Reserve in the past 15 months as Minister. They are enormously enthusiastic and have an extraordinary sense of public service. I very much welcome the fact the Commissioner is looking at new and additional roles for the Garda Reserve to play. He has...

Garda Reserve (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that to my knowledge some individuals who are members of the Garda Reserve have been granted citizenship in recent citizenship ceremonies. The Garda and the Defence Forces have been engaged in the ceremonies. Their involvement centres on the Garda Band, which on occasion plays at the service. When the Garda Band is not present at the service one of the Army bands...

Garda Investigations (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to was the subject of investigation by An Garda Síochána, which resulted in the submission of an investigation file to the law officers, who directed that a person be charged with manslaughter and assault. At the ensuing trial directions to acquit were given by the judge. Following the publication of an article concerning...

Garda Investigations (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: My understanding is that the Deputy was interested in knowing where matters stand with regard to the tragic death that occurred in this case. When in Opposition I met with the journalist concerned who was referred to in the reply. On becoming Minister I asked that the matter would be further investigated by An Garda Síochána. It is not for me to undertake personally that investigation....

Garda Investigations (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: My concern is that, if there is information available to the Garda that was adequate to bring a prosecution against some individual, any such claim should be fully investigated. It is my understanding the Garda, arising from the issues raised, has engaged in discussions with both the journalist who raised this issue and for whom I have a great deal of respect and with others whom it deems...

Garda Operations (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 11 and 17 together. As I indicated in my reply to Deputy Jonathan O'Brien, the Garda Commissioner has advised me that the Garda investigations in respect of Anglo Irish Bank are substantially complete. A number of Garda investigation files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions and her independent directions are awaited. A full...

Garda Operations (20 Jun 2012)

Alan Shatter: To respond to Deputy Joe McHugh, on my very first day in the Department of Justice and Equality I raised with my officials issues relating to these investigations and asked whether there was anything additional I could do as Minister and whether additional legislation or other additional resources were required. What was needed was the Criminal Justice Act 2011. I do not know why my...