Results 10,721-10,740 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board provides legal advice to complainants in a prosecution for a defined range of categories of sexual assault, including rape. In addition, legal representation in Court is also available to a complainant in certain sexual assault cases where the prior sexual history of the complainant is being raised by the accused person. No means test applies...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In June 2008, I asked the Garda Inspectorate to undertake an assessment of the need to establish a dedicated Missing Persons Unit, including a response network similar to 'Amber Alert' in the USA. This was in accordance with the commitment made in the Programme for Government. I understand that the Inspectorate is currently making progress on its assessment and I look forward to examining...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been asked to revise my assessment. The more I listen, the more I confirm what I said earlier. I very much regret the name calling embarked upon by Deputy Shatter in particular. I did not hear any other Deputy, although I heard one Deputy referring to gurrier politics. The name calling is not untypical of Deputy Shatter. It is obviously the last refuge of somebody who has no good...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It has never been my style in this House.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I will come to the question.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I will come to the question.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I very much regret——

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——that the debate has been curtailed.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I very much regret that there are people——

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: May I answer the question?

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: May I answer the question?

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I felt it was necessary to refer to the name calling. The more I listened to the debate——

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——the more the old phrase "shooting the messenger" came to mind. The reality is that what I said in my contribution is no more and no less than what was in the conclusions of the eighth report of Mr. Justice Morris. Mr. Justice Morris is not able to answer. The Government absolutely abhors what went on among members of the Garda Síochána in Donegal and, indeed, elsewhere, if it...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: We gave Mr. Justice Morris a job and asked him to report. I read the reports in the run-up to their publication — I had them for a week prior to publication — and I heard what was said subsequently by some of the main players in regard to the eighth report. We are often accused of spinning. I challenge anyone who doubts what I said, which was relatively mild in comparison with what was...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am not in any way unhappy with what I said and I will not withdraw anything I said because there are people whose careers have been blighted as a result of the base allegations that were made. I welcome the fact that Deputy Howlin regretted what happened, particularly to Assistant Commissioner Carty, who has not been able to defend himself in regard to this, and to Tony Hickey, who was...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It was not partisan. All the Deputy has to do is read what is in the report. The tribunal was satisfied that when two Deputies received the facsimile, they owed it to themselves, the Minister and those who were the subject of the allegations to explore further the information furnished to them. Deputy Rabbitte referred to the report as perverse.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Some Deputy on the other side——

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Some questioned whether Mr. Justice Morris understood the role of a Deputy.

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Mr. Justice Morris fully understood the role of a Deputy, particularly when he referred to the information being brought to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He said the responsibility of public representatives cannot simply be to receive information and pass it on to the Minister and expect action. If the Minister were to take no action, the Deputy would undoubtedly...

Morris Tribunal: Statements (Resumed) (22 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: He went on to state that the two Deputies were quick to crank up the political temperature in relation to those allegations by taking them immediately to the Minister.