Results 11,081-11,100 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 94 together. As I indicated in my Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 8 July 2008, the amendments to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 which are contemplated were set out in detail in two published reports of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission which were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 May 2008. Under the proposed changes, the...

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

Dermot Ahern: Work is progressing in my Department on the preparation of the heads of a Bill to give effect to the legislative elements of the 'Justice for Victims Initiative' which I announced in June of this year. While I am unable to give a precise date for submission of the heads to Government at this time, I remain committed to publishing the Bill in the Spring of 2009 and I remain confident of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Commission: Human Rights Commission (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In the context of the ongoing expenditure reviews and the 2009 estimates process, all Departments are looking at the possibility to rationalise their non-commercial agencies in order to deliver savings in 2009. No decisions have been taken yet regarding the rationalisation of agencies under the aegis of my Department. Any potential changes made would be consistent with the State's...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 28 May 2008. The position remains unchanged.

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

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be helpful for me to comment on the specific details of operations and initiatives put in place by the Gardaí to combat dissident activities or those involved in the illegal drugs trade. The Garda Síochána targets all criminal organisations and individuals whether they are suspected of involvement with subversive activities or of involvement in...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 77 together. I have received an interim report from the Garda Commissioner about this case and I expect to receive a full report on it from him, as soon as possible, after certain enquiries have been completed. When I have received the full report I will consider the question of any further action which may be necessary on my part. I should mention also...

Written Answers — Community Courts: Community Courts (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Last year, the National Crime Council published a report entitled "Problem Solving Justice: the Case for Community Courts in Ireland". The report included a detailed consideration of the literature available on the concept, origin and development of Community Courts internationally. It also examined the position in the United States and in the United Kingdom to see how these courts work in...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides details of the seizures made of the main categories of illegal drugs for 2007 and 2008. 2008 (to date) Drug Type Quantity Cannabis 631.95 kg Cannabis Resin 3,393.63 kg Cocaine 150.65 kg Diamorphine (Heroin) 145.65 kg MDMA (Ecstasy) 172,505 Tablets 2007 Drug Type Quantity Cannabis 725 kg Cannabis Resin...

Written Answers — Immigration Procedures: Immigration Procedures (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Every person landing in the State, including the holder of a visa, is obliged, pursuant to the provisions of section 11 (2) of the Immigration Act, 2004, to furnish to an Immigration Officer such information in such manner as an Immigration Officer may reasonably require for the purposes of the performance of his or her functions. The fact that a visa is a permission to present at the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2007, there were 24 incidents involving grenades, pipe bombs or other improvised devices in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and that the Defence Force's Explosive Ordnance Device team attended at 17 of these. Up to 26 September 2008 there have been 76 such incidents in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and the Defence Force's Explosive Ordnance...

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

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 768 on September 24 last, in the current economic climate, it is incumbent on the State to ensure that the citizen is provided with services that give value for money and that are effective and efficient. It is also essential that in relation to these services, there is the optimum level of transparency and accountability in their...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service, under Vote 21, has allocated a budget of €2.5m in 2008 to cover preliminary site works including surveys, landscaping, security and maintenance of the property, and professional fees including legal and specialist technical advice.

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

Dermot Ahern: This matter is under consideration in my Department. Having regard to the sensitivity and complexity of the issues involved in any significant extension of search powers, including issues of constitutional importance, I am unable to say at this stage when proposals will be available.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Responsibility for various functions relating to the regulation of the taxi industry, including issues such as the use of duplicate taxi numbers, has been transferred to the Commission for Taxi Regulation, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport. Suspected offences under road traffic law are, of course, investigated by An Garda Síochána.

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 88 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that an internal working group was established to develop a comprehensive model of Community Policing. The group's report entitled 'The Report of the Working Group on the National Model of Community Policing' is at present being considered by Senior Garda Management and I look forward to seeing the...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Considerable progress has been made on the implementation of the National Disability Strategy. The Strategy, which underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society, has been endorsed in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and the Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to ensure that the Strategy is driven and managed from a whole of...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am currently preparing a Fines Bill and I intend to obtain government approval for its publication in the near future. The Bill will include provisions dealing with the indexation of fines, payment of fines by instalment, equality of impact of fines imposed by the courts and the powers of the courts where a person does not pay a fine by its due date for payment. As the Bill will...

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

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware the disturbing events uncovered by the first five Morris Reports have been the subject matter of strong actions on the part of the Government. These include: the passage of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the most significant piece of legislation relating to An Garda Síochána in the history of the State; the establishment of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission...

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

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that investigations into recent incidents involving the use of pipe bombs and other improvised explosive devices in the greater Dublin area have uncovered links between a paramilitary group and organised criminal elements. Indications thus far are that the use of these devices are connected with the activities of this group in pursuit of the...

Written Answers — Mobile Phones in Prisons: Mobile Phones in Prisons (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Prison 2007 2008 (up until 31 August) Arbour Hill Prison 5 1 Training Unit 55 60 Shelton Abbey 25 55 Portlaoise Prison 62 24 Castlerea Prison 101 61 Midlands Prison 154 99 Cloverhill Prison 129 100 Limerick Prison 255 199 Mountjoy Prison 718 465 Dóchas Centre 73 41 St. Patrick's Institution 150 92 Wheatfield...