Results 11,061-11,080 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 73 together. The table contains the number of cases of murder recorded in which firearms were used, the number of prosecutions initiated and the number of convictions secured in each year from 1998 to 2007 and in 2008 up to 30 September. Figures provided for 2008 are provisional, operational and liable to change. One of the main priorities set for the...

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

Dermot Ahern: The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including accommodation, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements. The Garda accommodation programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and it is brought forward in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the...

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

Dermot Ahern: A central element of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill will be the establishment of a DNA database for the purposes of criminal investigations and the identification of missing or unknown deceased persons or seriously injured persons. The Bill will provide an updated statutory framework for the taking and use of forensic samples and will repeal the Criminal Justice...

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

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the law relating to the protection of personal data is contained in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. These Acts give effect both to the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the protection of individuals with...

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

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

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It should be noted that the imposition of any particular sanction on the parents or guardians of an offending child under the sections of the Children Act 2001 which are referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the judiciary. The Courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. There is no mechanism in Sections 111, 113 and...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Section 19(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2004 provides that for the giving of a permission (to reside in the State) a fee is payable by a non-national of such amount as may be prescribed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The consent of the Minister for Finance to revise the registration fee from €100 to €150 was obtained....

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Prison Service plans to carry out the following major infrastructural projects in 2009: 1. Commissioning of new cell block in Castlerea Prison. 2. Commissioning of new cell block in Portlaoise Prison. 3. Completion of construction of new cell block in Wheatfield Prison. These projects will be funded through the Prison Service's five year capital envelope programme as part of vote 21. In...

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

Dermot Ahern: One of the major challenges in prisons worldwide lies in preventing access to or use of mobile phones by prisoners. Efforts are made on a continuous basis to prevent prisoners obtaining or using mobile phones. Such efforts include the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, extensive CCTV monitoring, the use of screened visits and prisoner and...

Written Answers — Gaming Regulation: Gaming Regulation (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. The Report addresses the issues associated with establishing a revised regulatory framework for gaming in Ireland. As I said on the publication of the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 August 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Donegal Garda Division, broken down by rank was as follows: C/Superintendent Superintendent Inspector Sergeant Garda Total 1 5 8 76 396 486 The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, the personnel...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government Legislation Programme published on 23 September 2008 provides for publication of the Property Services (Regulation) Bill during the current Dáil session. The Bill will establish the Property Services Regulatory Authority on a statutory basis. The primary task of the new Authority will be to maintain and improve standards in the provision of property services by auctioneers,...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they regularly monitor developments in the area of enforcement equipment to ensure that all appropriate resources necessary for the proper investigation of crime and offences are available to operational personnel. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that a review has recently been carried out in respect of equipment required by members...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Negotiations are currently underway with a commercial consortium, which was selected following an E.U. tender procedure as the preferred tender for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the proposed prison facilities at Thornton Hall, North County Dublin. The project includes the construction of the prison facilities along with the ancillary infrastructure including services....

Written Answers — Gaming Regulation: Gaming Regulation (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Under Irish law, gaming and gambling is illegal, except where it is specifically permitted under the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act. It is a matter for the Garda Síochána to investigate breaches of the legislation, and to take whatever action is appropriate. In that regard, I have been assured by Garda management that if irregularities in the law that would justify a prosecution under the...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service places strong emphasis on the provision of vocational training and educational opportunities for prisoners. Over the past number of years, the IPS has invested in capital infrastructure, equipment and staffing resources to meet this objective. It is committed to meeting the challenge of continuing to deliver its rehabilitation programmes in a cost effective and...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior managers and Divisional Officers, arranges for the allocation of Garda personnel throughout the State. Garda Management are aided in this by a distribution model known as the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model (G.E.R.M.). The Commissioner advises me that the GERM model indicates the most effective means to distribute Garda...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed that Road Traffic Legislation, in particular section 27 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004, provides exemptions for the drivers of emergency vehicles, including the use by a member of An Garda Síochána of a vehicle in the course of the duties of that member, from the application of restrictions, requirements and prohibitions imposed under the Road Traffic Acts generally. Such...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our prisoners. The fact that prison management immediately separates prisoners seeking protection from the general prison population or from specific prisoners identified as presenting a threat, clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Irish Prison Service to ensuring safety and security. It is at the committal...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy concerning the amounts paid out in Court awards and out of court settlements in relation to actions taken against members of An Garda Síochána relating to assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in the table. Actions taken by Civilians against Gardaí —The number of cases settled/or awards made by the Courts are...