Results 11,621-11,640 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Insofar as my Department has responsibility in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy, consultations are taking place with An Garda Síochána with a view to progressing this matter.

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of views recently expressed by the President of the Irish Human Rights Commission that the Commission is currently administratively linked to a Government Department rather than the Oireachtas and that the accountability arrangements should be changed such that the Commission becomes accountable directly to the Oireachtas. While the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 provides that...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The person concerned arrived in the State on 23 April 2003 and claimed asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, following the consideration of her case under Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), a Deportation Order was signed in...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: On 28 March, 2005, the person in question was granted permission to remain in the State for a period of two years, under the IBC/05 scheme. The person's application for renewal of that permission was refused as she did not meet the criteria for granting or renewal of permission to remain in the State under the scheme. The person has been advised that the Minister is considering the making of...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that hand-held devices currently used by the Garda traffic corps are currently under maintenance agreements and will remain so for the next year. Accordingly, any decision to replace the existing units does not arise at this time. As part of any future procurement, An Garda Síochána will examine the required specification for the new handsets taking...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The person referred to by the Deputy applied for Asylum on the 10 July 2006. The claim was assessed by the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The Commissioner's recommendation was communicated to him by letter dated 9 January 2007. This communication advised the person of his entitlement to appeal...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Zimbabwean asylum applications is set out in tabular format. Asylum Applications Received from Zimbabwean Nationals — 2006 to 2008 (31/5) Year No. of asylum applications received from Zimbabwean Nationals 2006 77 2007 87 2008 (31/5) 40 Recommendations to Grant and Refuse Refugee Status to Zimbabwean Nationals at First Instance...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 787 and 788 together. Under my Department's decentralisation programme, nine hundred and forty-one posts are scheduled to relocate from Dublin to seven different provincial locations. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that already five hundred and twenty-six staff have moved, representing 56% of the final target. My Department now has a presence in all of...

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 789 to 793, inclusive, together. There were sixteen bullying and harassment cases taken in my Department from 2003 to date. Of these cases, two were upheld, seven were not upheld, four were withdrawn and three are ongoing. The outcome in five cases was subject to review. The original decision in one case was overturned, two were upheld and two are ongoing....

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Coolock, Raheny and Howth Garda Stations on 31 December 2002 to 2007 and on 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder: Station 31/12/02 31/12/03 31/12/04 31/12/05 31/12/06 31/12/07 31/05/08 Coolock 84 87 84 88 98 117 118 Raheny 64 60 66 59 69 68...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations are a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the Annual Policing Plans. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that local Garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that 645 breath alcohol devices have been issued for use by An Garda Síochána. The breathalysers are issued to An Garda Síochána by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) on 17 May, 2005 and was extended nationwide in 2006. It is an intelligence led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static check points by...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 953 members assigned to Traffic duties. The Policing Plan 2008 contains a Strategic Goal to increase the strength of the Traffic Corps to 1,200 by 31 December 2008 and maintain it at that level into the future. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large...

Written Answers — Cash Seizures: Cash Seizures (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Operation Safeguard is a Garda initiative to promote and improve a compliance culture amongst the public, through the comprehensive enforcement of road traffic legislation. I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Safeguard took place from 13 June to 18 June, 2008. Offences targeted in particular through Operation Safeguard were offences relating to licences, in particular...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to the provisions of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 which came into effect on 1 June, 2006. Among other things that Act provided for the new verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity which replaced the special verdict of guilty but insane at common law. I have no plans to review the matter. I should say that the provisions of the Act were generally well...

Written Answers — Garda Checkpoints: Garda Checkpoints (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of relevant traffic legislation, including the Road Traffic and Road Transport Acts. This may occur as part of specific road traffic law enforcement activity or general policing activity. Members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned and unplanned checkpoints, including those carried out under Operation Anvil and...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following the submission of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this, and the CSO has established a dedicated...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (10 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed that details in relation to driver disqualifications are maintained by the Road Safety Authority, which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport.