Results 11,341-11,360 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Garda Diversion Programme: Garda Diversion Programme (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the number of children to whom the Garda Diversion Programme has been applied in each year since 2002 is as follows:- Year Proceedings Commenced 2002 17,493 2003 17,043 2004 17,656 2005 17,567 2006 20,016 2007 16,753 I have also been informed by the Garda Authorities that the National Juvenile Office does not collate figures in...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that drugs which are classified as controlled in the Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act (1977/1984) which are seized by members of An Garda Síochána in the course of investigations are destroyed upon the determination of court proceedings. Such drugs are destroyed under the supervision of a Detective Inspector from the Garda Technical Bureau following...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have requested the Commissioner to supply the information sought by the Deputy and on receipt of same I will forward it to him.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I received the report of Mr Hugh Hartnett SC into the arrest, detention and treatment of Brian Rossiter and the subsequent investigation of his death. I referred the report to the Attorney General for advice in relation to its publication. His advice was that there were legal impediments to publication of the full report. However, he also advised that more limited forms of disclosure were...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a pilot project using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems in Garda vehicles has been successfully completed. Approval to proceed with a nationwide system has been conveyed and the Garda authorities will shortly hold a tender competition for the supply of the system. The primary focus of the system will be to check against watch lists...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following a complete review, conducted by An Garda Síochána, of all aspects of the burial of the remains of an unidentified woman in County Wexford in 1995, and at their request, I authorised the exhumation of the remains. The exhumation took place on 28 November, 2007 and a post-mortem examination was conducted by the State Pathologist. I am informed that samples of bone were forwarded...

Written Answers — Immigration Policy: Immigration Policy (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Additional resources have recently been allocated to the Garda National Immigration Bureau which will enhance the enforcement capacity of the Bureau in respect of immigration legislation and operations conducted in furtherance of this role. Operation 'Sonnet' is an ongoing initiative targeting the land border with Northern Ireland and other strategic locations in Garda border divisions to...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147, 177, 179 and 461 together. 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...

Written Answers — State Pathologist: State Pathologist (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can inform the Deputy that while my Department was aware that this programme was being made and gave permission for the State Pathologist to participate in it, the actual content of the programme was not within the Department's control and editorial responsibility rests with the programme makers and broadcasters. The Department was assured by the production company that next of kin had...

Written Answers — Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the outset I should say that we have secured almost 100 sanctioned posts for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. In that context, section 80(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 obliges the Ombudsman Commission to submit a report to me on its effectiveness and on the adequacy of the functions assigned to it within two years of its establishment. I am in receipt of an e-mail copy of...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Drug misuse remains one of the most complex social ills faced globally and the Government is fully aware of, and does not in any sense, underestimate the nature and extent of the problem of drugs which we experience in this State. The Government remains resolutely committed to tackling the problem through our current National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The National Strategy addresses the...

Written Answers — Offensive Weapons: Offensive Weapons (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the House is aware, the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, prohibits possession in a public place of knives or any other articles which have a blade or are sharply pointed or any article made or adapted to cause injury. Any person found guilty of such an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I have asked the Government Alcohol Advisory Group to examine the public order aspects of the sale and consumption of alcohol and to report to me by 31 March. Among the key issues being examined by the Group is the adequacy and effectiveness of existing sanctions and penalties, particularly those relating to the sale and supply of alcohol to, and alcohol...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In December 2005, the Government agreed to put in place a series of reforms for the youth justice system. These reforms concerned all aspects of youth justice, and included the establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS). The principal reform in relation to juvenile detention was the transfer of responsibility for the children detention schools to the IYJS, an executive office...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to cases where I am approached in my capacity as a public representative to seek assistance with the Passport Office. While I, of course, offer appropriate assistance in that regard records are not maintained which would enable me to provide the precise information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a dedicated firearms training range has been installed at the Garda College, Templemore and that a second similar range is being installed at a Dublin location and will be operational by April 2008. These prefabricated modular firearms ranges facilitate live fire shooting in a carefully contained indoor environment which adheres to all range safety...

Written Answers — Forensic Science Laboratory: Forensic Science Laboratory (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A total of 30 additional posts have been sanctioned for the Forensic Science Laboratory since December 2006, representing an increase of approximately 40% in approved staffing. This substantial extension of the Laboratory's capacity takes into account the findings of the Review referred to by the Deputy as to current demands on the organisation, as well as the need to plan for the...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the procedures in place for judicial appointments in the United Kingdom. As the Deputy will be aware, in this jurisdiction the position is that the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. Its purpose is to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for judicial office. The...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can inform the Deputy that the budgetary allocation for the Probation Service for each of the past five years is detailed below, in tabular form. The Deputy will note that there is a drop in the funding allocation for the current year. This is due to the fact that funding for Juvenile initiatives (€10.5 M.) is now under the remit of the Irish Youth Justice Service and this funding has...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including equipment, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to be decided on the basis of his identified operational needs. I am advised by the Garda authorities that two types of protective body armour are currently in use by Gardaí. Detectives are issued with protective vests that have bullet and stab proof properties. A total of 1,500 of...