Results 11,101-11,120 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations into certain recent pipe bomb incidents in the Dublin area indicate the involvement of paramilitary elements. Garda investigations into these incidents are ongoing.

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

Dermot Ahern: There are no circumstances whereby the prison authorities grant or facilitate prisoners with access to mobile phones while in prison custody. The Deputy will be aware that Section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which was brought into operation from 1 May 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use mobile telecommunications devices. Under the Act it is also...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government Legislation Programme published on 23 September 2008 indicates that publication of the Civil Partnership Bill is expected in early 2009. The General Scheme of the Bill was published on 24 June 2008 and is available on my Department's website.

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement Policy: Departmental Procurement Policy (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to inform the Deputy that in the matter of bulk purchasing, my Department adheres to its obligations under the EU Directives and National Public Procurement Guidelines. Contracts are generally awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender. Cost is always included as a criterion. Post-tender negotiation is prohibited as it diminishes transparency. The basic...

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

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 129 of 8 July 2008, the findings of the Hartnett Report have been accepted. I am constrained in what I can say due to the fact that civil proceedings instituted by the Rossiter family are still ongoing and an inquest into Brian Rossiter's death has yet to be concluded. I understand, in fact, that the Inquest is due to resume today. ...

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

Dermot Ahern: One of the strategic goals set out in the Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy 2007-2009 is to reduce significantly the incidence of fatal and serious injuries and improve road safety. One of the actions identified in the Garda Policing Plan 2008 in support of this goal is targeted intelligence-led operations against offending young drivers. I am informed by the Garda authorities that...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 came into effect on 30 July, 2008. The Act introduced new prohibited hours for off-licences and new conditions for the issuing of off-licences and theatre licences. It also made theatre licences subject to the prohibited hours provisions for the sale and consumption of alcohol. Provision was also made to seize alcohol and to issue fixed charge notices for...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in April 2005. A decision issued to the person in question in October 2006. An appeal against the decision was subsequently received from the representative of the person in question and documentation submitted by them was referred to the Garda authorities for...

Written Answers — Equal Status Acts: Equal Status Acts (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2008 prohibit discrimination on nine grounds including the disability ground. A person selling goods or providing services must do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability. They also lay down procedures which must be followed when making a claim of discrimination.

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

Dermot Ahern: In fulfilling immigration related duties members of An Garda Síochána enforce the current body of Immigration legislation, which is contained in a number of pieces of legislation, both primary and secondary, including: Aliens Act, 1935, Aliens Order 1946 (substantially amended by subsequent orders), Immigration Act, 1999, Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act, 2000, Immigration Act, 2003,...

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

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 981 of 24 September 2008, the group to which the Deputy refers appears, from the information available, to have been in pursuit of a subversive agenda which was motivated as much by a militant, socialist and anti-establishment analysis as by purporting to advance any other agenda. It is in the nature of many subversive and criminal...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a person was identified and arrested in connection with an assault on the person referred to by the Deputy. I am further informed that an investigation file was submitted to the Law Officers, and directions were received to prosecute the suspect for offences contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act 1997 and the Firearms and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that a decision on the Family Reunification application has recently issued to the person concerned.

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

Dermot Ahern: Details of persons refused leave to land pursuant to the provisions of Immigration Act, 2004, at ports of entry to the State, in the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (to the end of July) are set out in the following table. A breakdown distinguishing between those who were or were not in possession of a visa is not available. The figures provided detail the number of persons refused...

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

Dermot Ahern: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. The dependants of the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I can inform the Deputy that I will be making a decision on this application in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a Certificate of Naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in August 2008. Officials in that Section are currently processing applications received in May 2006. All applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The current...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (2 Oct 2008)

Dermot Ahern: An illegal immigrant is a person whose presence in the State is otherwise than in accordance with our immigration laws. Obviously the term covers persons who entered the State in breach of those laws — either covertly or using false documentation. However, it also covers persons who entered lawfully but remain beyond the duration of the permission given, or who, although required to adhere...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of Thursday, 3 July 2008 and Question No. 230 of Thursday, 24 April 2008 and the written Replies to those Questions. The person concerned applied for asylum on 5 April 2004. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal....

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

Dermot Ahern: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status...