Results 11,981-12,000 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together. The Prison Rules, 2007 reflect international best practice, the provisions of the European Prison Rules, and provide a modern regulatory framework for the administration of our prisons. Section 59 (2) of the Prison Rules, 2007 allows for the discretionary granting of additional remission, up to one third as opposed to the standard rate...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While it would not be feasible to collate the full range of data in respect of the period referred to by the Deputy without the application of a disproportionate amount of staff resources, the position insofar as programmes under my Department's aegis which received EU funding in 2007 is concerned is that funding was received from the European Refugee Fund and the European Social Fund. The...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with his identified operational requirements and priorities. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Newtowncunningham area is policed as part of the Donegal Garda Division and a total of 64 vehicles is allocated to the Division. The responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under my Department's Decentralisation Programme, two hundred and thirty posts from the Property Registration Authority are scheduled to transfer from Dublin to Roscommon. An advance move to temporary office accommodation in Roscommon took place in August 2006. There are now seventy-four officers serving in that office with plans to increase this number to ninety by the end of March 2008. I...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Headquarters of the Irish Prison Service opened for business in Longford in July 2007. One hundred and forty one posts have moved from Dublin to Longford, one hundred and sixteen officers are currently working there and work is continuing on the transfer of the remaining twenty-five prison and technical posts. Twenty contract I.T. staff are also...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is not readily feasible to isolate the costs associated with the answering of parliamentary questions from the administrative costs of my Department generally. Nevertheless, there is no doubt but that a substantial and growing cost is in fact associated with this exercise. This is well-illustrated by the growth in the number of questions in recent years, with 1729 questions answered...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This applicant applied for asylum on 16 September 2002. Her application was refused and a Deportation Order was made on 11 March 2005. The applicant instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 18 April 2005 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of her and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA is currently accommodating almost 7,000 people in 61 centres in 22 counties. The person referred to in the Deputy's question made an application for asylum on 13 September, 2002. This person was provided with...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the time available it has not been possible for the Garda authorities to supply the details requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Freedom of Movement: Freedom of Movement (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Freedom of movement is a fundamental right of European citizens enshrined in the EC Treaty. The intention behind this principle is the removal of all internal borders of the EU. The obligations on Member States to permit the free movement of European citizens are set out in Directive 2004/38/EC which is transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No....

Written Answers — Sale of Fireworks: Sale of Fireworks (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy may be aware, the Explosives Act 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. Accordingly, fireworks may not be imported into the State except under an importation licence granted by my Department. It is long standing policy that these licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by competent and professional...

Written Answers — Noise Pollution: Noise Pollution (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 set out the legislative basis for prosecution due to excessive noise levels of vehicles. Current permissible sound levels are set by EU Directive. I am further informed that 714 proceedings were commenced and 349 convictions were recorded for offences contrary to the legislation in 2006. In 2007, 514...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 57 on the same topic on 13 December last, work on the scheme of the Judicial Council Bill to build on the report of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Ethics is at an advanced stage of development in my Department. That Report recognised the need for a procedure for dealing with complaints of judicial misconduct which, while serious in itself,...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 3(1) of the Road Traffic Act 2006 creates an offence of holding a mobile phone while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle. Under section 3(2) of the Act this prohibition does not apply to a member of the Garda Síochána who is acting in the course of his or her duties and holding a mobile phone in relation to the performance of his or her duties. I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Dunboyne Garda Station on 31 December, 2007 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 16. The opening hours for the station are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday. An increase in the opening hours of Dunboyne Garda Station would necessitate the...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together. Paragraph 5.3 of the guidelines under which the Joint Policing Committees operate provides that a Committee or a subcommittee of a Committee will act as a mechanism through which, firstly, elected representatives and local communities can have a role in conveying information and views to Garda Divisional and District officers to assist...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in recognising the international dimension to the phenomenon of human trafficking the Garda Síochána is actively participating in a number of anti-human trafficking related initiatives involving law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions. Liaison at international level between the Garda Síochána and other law enforcement agencies through...

Written Answers — Law Reform Commission: Law Reform Commission (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The draft Bill attached to the Report from the Law Reform Commission, which was published in July 2007, was introduced in the Dáil as a Private Members' Bill in October 2007. The Bill gives effect to the report's recommendations. I support its proposals, in principle, and I am considering arrangements to facilitate its progress through the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Police Co-operation: Police Co-operation (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) engage in close and ongoing reciprocal co-operation on a number of levels, including: mutual legal assistance; direct police to police contact on both formal and informal bases; and agreements and protocols, pursuant to law or otherwise. With specific regard to police-to-police protocols, there are two arrangements which...

Written Answers — Sex Offenders: Sex Offenders (31 Jan 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 27 November, 2006 a Memorandum of Understanding on information sharing arrangements between Ireland and the UK relating to sex offenders was signed by my predecessor as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Mr. Vernon Coaker, Under-Secretary of State at the British Home Office, in Hillsborough. The MOU was negotiated between my Department and the Home Office, with input from...