Results 11,361-11,380 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Over the past 10 years a wide range of security measures have been put in place aimed at reducing the supply of contraband, including drugs, into our prisons. These measures include: Tighter control and monitoring of prisoner visits in all closed prisons; New visiting arrangements in most closed prisons, with visitors required to be pre-approved by the Governor and required to provide...

Written Answers — Gambling Casinos: Gambling Casinos (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Report referred to by the Deputy — Review of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86 — did not treat in detail with the question of the operation of casinos in this jurisdiction, only to the extent that it reaffirmed the position adopted by the Government in June 1996, arising from a report of a Casino Task Force established by the then Minister for Finance, not to give further...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Chief Superintendent appointed to conduct an investigation into the matter concerned has submitted a report to the Garda Commissioner. I am further informed that his report provides a comprehensive review of the actions taken by all parties in relation to the information supplied by the Austrian authorities through Interpol and makes a...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to my detailed response to Question No. 22 of 13 December last in which I outlined in detail the statutory provisions in relation to under-age consumption of alcohol. 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, including issues relating to increased...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Irish Prison Service has embarked on a major capital programme involving the replacement of the four prisons at the Mountjoy campus, Portlaoise Prison, Cork Prison and parts of Limerick Prison. The primary objective of this programme is the modernisation of the prison estate, a key component of which will be the provision of in-cell sanitation as a key part of each of these new building...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 477 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Parliamentary Question number 224 of 31 January 2008. The position remains the same.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the time of its enactment, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 represented a very substantial modernisation of the law as it then stood. The Act has operated very satisfactorily and I have no plans for a fundamental review of its provisions. However, as one would expect in an area of law such as this, it has been necessary to amend it on several occasions since its enactment. I...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Dog Unit, which operates nationwide although based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, has twenty-eight dogs broken down into the following specialist categories: Category Number General Purpose 15 Drugs and Firearms 6 Explosives 4 Tactical Search 1 Victim Recovery 2 As part of the Unit above, a pilot scheme is already in place in...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 183 together. Education in prisons is delivered by way of partnership between the Irish Prison Service and a range of educational agencies from the community. Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and Public Library Services make the largest contribution to, and are the mainstay of, the Prison Education Service. The Department of Education and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when it opened for signature on 30 March, 2007. A high-level, cross-departmental implementation group was established in 2007 to advise on any changes to the Government's National Disability Strategy that may be required to enable the State ratify the...

Written Answers — Cultural Events: Cultural Events (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not aware of any particular demand from migrant groups for the holding of an event such as that suggested by the Deputy. A number of events, stressing the cultural heritage of various migrant groups are currently held both at a national and local level. Such events allow communities to learn about each other's backgrounds and cultures. Integration, however, implies that new cultures and...

Written Answers — Prisoner Escapes: Prisoner Escapes (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the statistics as requested by the Deputy for the last 10 years are as follows: Year Number of Escapes Number of Absconds 1998 8 93 1999 14 184 2000 8 123 2001 13 95 2002 11 121 2003 12 70 2004 7 66 2005 9 81 2006 6 90 2007 7 136 The compilation of statistics relating to all offences for which prisoners have...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Literacy work has been a strong element of the Prison Education curriculum since the early 1980's. The literacy curriculum concentrates on the needs of the individual and respects the adult status of the student, his/her prior knowledge, skills and life experience. It is also concerned with improving self-esteem and building confidence. During the academic year 2007/08, the Department of...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will acknowledge that whereas the 2006/2007 Annual Report of the Irish Prison Service Chaplains contains certain criticisms of the prison system it also rightly recognises the significant progress that is being made in improving the system. The Report highlights and welcomes some of the major developments which have taken place in the period covered by the Report. In particular,...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government's twin policies of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA advise me that they are satisfied with the current quality of accommodation provided to asylum seekers and that they operate a robust system of inspection (both internal and independent) which identify...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question was granted permission to reside in the State until 2018 and is exempt from the requirement to hold a work permit. The person in question was notified by letter recently.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by my officials that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was first received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 14 March 2007. However, as there was an error on the statutory declaration, the form was returned to the person in question on 6 April 2007 so that it could be amended. I understand...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A representative of a multinational company recently contacted by telephone a member of staff in my Department to express concern over the implementation of Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of the 15 March 2006 on the retention of data. The concern was based on newspaper reports on how the Directive might be transposed. Shortly afterwards, that person was on a...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 to 467, inclusive, together. One of the strategic goals set out in the Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy 2007-2009 is to significantly reduce 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...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (4 Mar 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An application for residence in the State on the sole basis of marriage to an Irish national was received from the person in question in February 2008. The Immigration Operations Division of my Department issued an acknowledgement of this application and request for documentation on 26 February 2008. Applications of this kind, in fairness to all other applicants, are dealt with in strict...