Results 11,041-11,060 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Budget: Departmental Budget (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: While the precise impact of the 3% payroll cut for my Department and its agencies will be decided in the context of the Estimates for 2009, it is clear at this stage that the required payroll cut cannot be achieved without an adjustment to staff numbers. In that regard, it is to be expected that a significant proportion of the required savings will be achieved through the non-filling of...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can advise the Deputy that on 26 September, 2008 there was a total of six persons in prison custody held solely on foot of a warrant ordering their imprisonment in default of the non-payment of a fine. The total number of persons in custody on that date was 3,576 meaning that the percentage of prison population in custody for this reason equated to 0.17% of the prison population. Two of...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Smithwick Tribunal was established in May 2005 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921-2002, to enquire into suggestions that members of the Garda Síochána or other employees of the State colluded in the fatal shootings of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Bob Buchanan in 1989. The Tribunal was established by the Oireachtas arising from the...

Written Answers — Sex Offender Treatment Programme: Sex Offender Treatment Programme (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The question of treatment for sex offenders in custody is not straightforward and cannot be viewed in isolation. Supports within the community on release can be equally vital to ensuring sex offenders do not re-offend. While the weight of opinion is that cognitive-behavioural approaches to the treatment of sexual offenders show the most promise, not all offenders are amenable to such...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is no blanket ban on persons with diabetes joining An Garda Síochána. Entry to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Appointment and Admission) Regulations 1988 as amended. Regulation 5(1) (b) of the said regulations state, inter alia: The Commissioner shall not admit a person as a trainee unless— The person is...

Written Answers — Departmental Budget: Departmental Budget (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 57 together. The estimates process for 2009 is ongoing and discussions are taking place between my Department and the Department of Finance on the overall Justice sector allocations including those for the Garda Síochána. Accordingly, it would be premature to comment at this stage in relation to the impacts for 2009 until the final position is known....

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are two categories of organised crime groups operating in this jurisdiction. The first category consists of individuals/groups that are well established and tightly structured, involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by less cohesive group...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána are actively investigating recent incidents involving the use of pipe bombs by organised criminal gangs in the greater Dublin area. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that Garda strategies in responding to incidents involving pipe bomb attacks in Dublin are firmly focused on disrupting these groups and, where...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 44, 76 and 80 together. On 24 September I launched, with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the roll out of the Committees from the initial pilot phase in 29 local authority areas to all 114 local authority areas. I strongly believe that the Committees meet an identified need and have great potential to contribute...

Written Answers — Fathers' Rights: Fathers' Rights (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have not commissioned research on the specific issue of fathers' rights. The relaxation of the in camera rule in family law proceedings has facilitated the flow of information on the operation of the law in the family law courts. The Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, allows for preparation of reports in family law proceedings while continuing to respect the confidential nature of family...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I attach a high priority to the combating of anti-social behaviour. One of the priorities set for An Garda Síochána for 2008 under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is to combat, particularly in cooperation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour (including underage drinking) and...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the number of cases involving heroin and the volume of heroin seized by An Garda Síochána for the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as set out hereunder: Year Cases Volume 2004 612 26.4 Kgs 2005 725 32.2 Kgs 2006 1115 128.0 Kgs 2007 1444 117.8 Kgs In terms of availability, while heroin still predominates in the greater Dublin area,...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill is on the "A" list of the Government Legislation Programme for this session. A central element of this Bill will be the establishment of a DNA database for the purposes of criminal investigations and the identification of missing persons or unknown deceased or seriously ill persons. Drafting of the Bill is progressing and I expect to...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 85 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 December 2002 the whole time equivalent figure for the number of civilians employed in An Garda Síochána was 1,775. The corresponding number as of 31 August 2008 was 2,003 which represents 2,592 employees. At 31 August 2008 the whole time equivalent number of clerical and administrative...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There is already extensive legislative provision with respect to fathers in the family law code. Under the law as it stands, married parents living together are joint guardians and custodians of their child. If they separate, the custody is normally with the parent with whom the child is intended to reside, but the other parent still remains a guardian. An unmarried father may apply to the...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is the nature of many public order offences that they are recorded and detected only because of the presence of Gardaí. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the increase in the number of public order offences detected reflects the significant increase in the level of Garda activity in this respect, in particular under Operation Encounter. Operation Encounter was commenced by the...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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 behaviour by adults and children. With regard to children...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I published the Report Regulating Gaming in Ireland on 10 July last. The Report makes some 32 recommendations that have significant public policy implications regarding the future architecture of many aspects of gaming and betting in Ireland, including the issues surrounding the operation and regulation of casinos. As I said on the publication of the Report, we need to get things right in...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 47, 89 and 90 together. I believe that the establishment of the Garda Reserve is one of the most imaginative innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. It has strengthened the links between An Garda Síochána and local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge. Full-time and Reserve members are working well together. I believe...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that the Government Legislation Programme provides for publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill later this year. This Bill will modernise and streamline the laws relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol, including provisions relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol in restaurants, by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2008, as well as the Registration of Clubs...