Results 1,121-1,140 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am not aware of any problems in processing applications for study visas as referred to by the Deputy. It is difficult to know specifically which countries the Deputy has in mind based on the information provided in the question. However, I can assure the Deputy that each visa application received by my Department is assessed on an individual basis and on its own merits no matter where in...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A strand of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters provides for North/South co-operation in the area of forensic science with the aim of identifying areas of mutual support and promoting the exchange of expertise and best practice between the Forensic Science Laboratory and Forensic Science Northern Ireland. Current priorities for cooperation are set out...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: On 27 September at the Stephenstown Pond Conference Centre, Dundalk I hosted the first trilateral meeting with my counterparts in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Minister of Justice, Mr David Ford, MLA, and Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Mr. Kenny MacAskill, MSP. The meeting focused primarily on issues of common interest relating to human trafficking, organised crime, forensic science, DNA...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The possibility of including human trafficking as a discrete area of cooperation under the Intergovernmental Agreement was discussed at the meeting with the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 27 September 2010. Arrangements are currently being made in this regard. It was also agreed that there would be a joint awareness raising campaign in...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in April 2010. All valid applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 26 months. More complicated...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my Reply to Parliamentary Questions No. 970 and 1090 of Wednesday, 29 September, 2010. Since my Reply to those Parliamentary Questions, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 6 October 2010, of his entitlement to apply for Subsidiary Protection within a 15 working day period. The 15 working day period referred to in my Department's letter of 6 October 2010...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 30 November 2007, that the Minister proposed to make Deportation Orders in respect of her and her child. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Adult Cautioning Scheme enables the processing of a minor offence committed by a person, over 18 years of age, with no previous convictions who admits to the offence. It provides the option of dealing with such an offence, in those circumstances, by the administration of a caution by a senior Garda officer, as an alternative to prosecution in the District Court, where prosecution...

Written Answers — Ports of Entry: Ports of Entry (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I regret to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide a response to this Question in the time available. The information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be provided as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Ports of Entry: Ports of Entry (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: My Department receives representations from time to time from Non Governmental Organisations with regard to various aspects of the immigration system and these have included representations regarding independent appeals at points of entry. With regard to the question of an 'independent' appeal of an immigration decision at the point of entry it must be remembered that the nature of...

Written Answers — Firearms Licences: Firearms Licences (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have requested from the Garda authorities the information sought and I will write to the Deputy when it is available.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (12 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 came into effect on 7 June 2008. Consequently there are no figures for victims of human trafficking identified in the years 2006, 2007 or 2008 prior to 7 June as the crime of human trafficking did not exist in this jurisdiction. No person was identified as a victim of trafficking under the Administrative Immigration Arrangements for the Protection...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that at present there are 68 staff in the Criminal Assets Bureau of whom 37 are members of An Garda Síochána. The budgetary allocation for 2010 for the Bureau is over €8m. The Bureau is also staffed with Bureau Officers from the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection as well as analysts, legal experts and technical and...

Written Answers — Explosive Ordinance: Explosive Ordinance (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2010 (to 5th October, 2010) there have been 152 incidents involving suspected grenades, pipe-bombs or other improvised devices nationwide at which a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Device team has attended, with 196 such incidents recorded in 2009, 180 such incidents recorded in 2008 and 98 such incidents recorded in 2007. I am further...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware the development of the new prison campus at Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, County Dublin is now proceeding on a phased basis. Phase one, which is currently in progress, comprises essential preliminary works to facilitate the prison development including the construction of a dedicated access road, the installation of off-site services and the construction of the...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 makes provision for the test purchasing of alcohol products. It also provides that the Minister for Justice and Law Reform shall issue guidelines in respect of the procedures to be followed with respect of the practical operation of the scheme following consultation with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Health and Children. I am...

Written Answers — Control of Firearms: Control of Firearms (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: In setting the policing priorities for An Garda Síochána in 2010, I have asked the Commissioner to continue the focus of the force on serious crime, in particular organised crime. This priority is reflected in the Garda Policing Plan for this year, which sets out a commitment to proactively target groups and individuals engaged in organised crime. To this end, An Garda Síochána is...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it an offence to solicit in a street or public place for the purpose of prostitution. The offence can be committed by the prostitute, the client or a third party - a pimp, for example. The Act also provides for offences such as organising prostitution, coercing or compelling a person to be a prostitute, knowingly living on the earnings of a...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the C&AG report acknowledges, increased civilian support for the Garda Síochána does not exclusively take the form of one-for-one replacement of individual Gardaí by civilian staff. Of course, in some instances, civilianisation does indeed enable the direct replacement of Gardaí who are engaged in exclusively clerical, administrative or technical duties by civilian staff. In a great...

Written Answers — Garda Promotions: Garda Promotions (7 Oct 2010)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service applies to the Garda Síochána, both sworn members and civilian support staff. The situation is continually kept under review in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and derogations can be sought in exceptional circumstances from the Minister for Finance. I received sanction from the...