Results 11,741-11,760 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 91 and 105 together. As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions nos. 94, 170 and 201 on 28 May 2008, work on the scheme of the Judicial Council Bill, which builds on the report of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Ethics, is at an advanced stage of development in my Department. The intention is that the Bill will establish a judicial council...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of murders involving knives or sharp instruments increased from 23 in 2006 to 37 in 2007. This increase is a matter of concern. I am also informed that for the first six months of this year four murder offences involving a knife or sharp instrument have been recorded. I am further informed that 721 proceedings were taken in 2006 for...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 122 together.

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí assigned to Community policing in each Garda Division on 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder: Division Strength Division Strength DMR South Central 81 Kerry 6 DMR North Central 70 Limerick 86 DMR North 68 Donegal 20 DMR East 60 Cavan/Monaghan...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: On 31 May 2007 there were 13,140 attested members of An Garda Síochána with a further 1,349 recruits in training, making a combined strength of 14,489. On 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 13,855 attested members of An Garda Síochána with a further 1,354 recruits in training. The combined strength of the Force on that date was 15,209. The...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman: Garda Ombudsman (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I have no proposals to make any changes to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. However, discussions have been taking place between the Commission and my Department for some time regarding certain amendments to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 proposed by the Commission. This is against the background of the Report made by the Commission pursuant to section 80(2) in the Act and the changes...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: 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 — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Sentencing policy, including mandatory sentencing, is a matter which is kept under review within my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that the Courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The traditional approach to sentencing is for the Oireachtas to lay down the maximum penalty appropriate to an offence generally...

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The National Disability Strategy was launched by Government in September, 2004 and underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society by building on existing policy and legislation. The implementation of the Strategy is the agreed focus of disability policy under the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. My Department is responsible for the provision of the framework...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman: Garda Ombudsman (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Siochana Act 2005 sets out the role of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. The Act establishes the Ombudsman Commission as a key element of the new policing framework. This role is essential in ensuring that public confidence in the Gardaí is safeguarded. The Commission presented me with their two year progress report earlier this year. This concludes that they can report...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question 27210/08 of today's date.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 89 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 anti-social...

Written Answers — Criminal Proceedings: Criminal Proceedings (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Part 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 amended the law governing the circumstances in which inferences could be drawn in criminal proceedings from a failure or refusal by the accused to account for certain suspicious circumstances which clearly call for an explanation when requested to do so by a member of the Garda Síochána either prior to or when being charged. Part 4 also extended the...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Operation Trace was established in October, 1998. The original objectives of the investigation team under this dedicated initiative were to trace, review and collate all evidence pertaining to the separate Garda investigations into the disappearance of six women in the Leinster area. Subsequently the investigations into the disappearance of four other missing women were also reviewed....

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 97 together. The enabling provisions to allow for the use of Electronic Monitoring are provided for in the Criminal Justice Acts of 2006 and 2007. However, before any decisions are taken on the introduction of those specific provisions careful and detailed consideration must be given to the costs, advances in technology, the offender cohort most...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána (Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 168 of 2007) were made in April 2007. They allow for civilian employees as well as sworn members of An Garda Síochána to make confidential reports on any corruption or malpractice of which they become aware. Mr. Brian McCarthy was appointed as a Confidential Recipient by my predecessor in March 2008. He will provide a...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In December 2005, following publication of the Youth Justice Review, the Government agreed a programme to implement youth justice reforms. These reforms included the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Children; the establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) as an executive office of my Department; and a number of legislative amendments to the Children Act 2001....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Every effort is being made to have the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill published as soon as possible. Publication is subject to the resolution of certain legal issues that have arisen during completion of the drafting process. As regards the regulation of management companies, I should point out that the recently-published Law Reform Commission Report on Multi-Unit Developments...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 112 and 114 together. At 30th June 2008, there were 258 attested Reserve Gardaí and 93 Reserve trainees. The 258 attested members currently operational are assigned to the following stations: Dublin Metropolitan Region Pearse St, Kevin Street, Kilmainham, Donnybrook, Store St, Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Street, Clondalkin, Finglas, Lucan, Ballyfermot,...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (8 Jul 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As part of a general review of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act last year, the extension of the Act to An Garda Síochána was considered. That consideration involved an examination of all factors relevant to the governance, oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána. Since the passage of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 An Garda Síochána and the regulatory and...