Results 12,181-12,200 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am pleased to say that earlier today the Government approved my proposals for the Mediation Bill which will give effect to the undertaking in the Government's Programme for National Recovery (2011 – 2016) to encourage and facilitate the use of mediation to resolve civil, commercial and family disputes. As indicated in Section G of the Government Legislation Programme published on 11...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 17 November 2011. The position is unchanged since then. I am aware that there have been proposals of this nature and of course my Department will give due consideration to the issue. However great caution should be exercised before embarking on such a project. A proposal of this nature could give rise to very large,...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended) provides that the Private Security Authority (PSA) is the regulatory body responsible for the regulation and licensing of the security industry in Ireland. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department. The PSA undertook a phased roll out of licensing of the private security industry. It commenced licensing of...

Written Answers — Court Sittings: Court Sittings (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The allocation of the business of the courts, scheduling of court cases and the management of court lists are matters for the judiciary and in particular the Presidents of the courts and it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment in relation to this matter. The Deputy will be aware that judges are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The position is that legislation providing for same-sex marriage cannot be enacted without an amendment to the Constitution following a Yes vote in a referendum on the matter. In this regard the Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Constitutional Convention to consider constitutional reform on a number of issues including provision for same-sex marriage.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that there have not been any amounts claimed or paid from my Department in respect of Ministerial mileage expenses since March 2011.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is 2 weeks approximately. Seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can, however, result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. There is no protocol in place for fast tracking applications of TÚS...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The total amount spent on entertainment expenses in my Department since being appointed is €1,254. Ministerial entertainment expenses are €858. Entertainment expenses for The Junior Minister are nil. Entertainment expenses in 2011 for The Secretary General are €396 Entertainment expenses in 2011 for Senior Civil Servants are nil. March 2011 to January 2012 2011 Minister €858...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in December, 2011. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Over the past few years strong legislative, administrative and operational measures have been put in place to combat and prevent trafficking in persons for both sexual and labour exploitation purposes. The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 with penalties of up to life imprisonment for human trafficking has greatly strengthened the law in this area. Section 5 of the Act makes it an...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Adverse possession of land arises where the limitation periods set out in the Statute of Limitation 1957 expire, thereby rendering it impossible to commence proceedings for recovery of the land. The Law Reform Commission has included reform of the law relating to adverse possession in its current law reform programme and expects to publish a Report containing reform recommendations in due...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no function in that process. All incidents where persons have been reported missing remain under investigation until such times as the person is located. District Officers in the...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I would refer the Deputy to my response on 23/02/2012 to a similar question raised by Deputy Regina Doherty (10392/12), which is essentially repeated here. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their applications for protection are being processed. As of 12/02/2012, there were 5,313 accommodated...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that the Plan submitted by the Irish Prison Service to address issues in Cork Prison is being considered. I will be making an announcement relevant to this matter shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Four advertisements were placed in national newspapers in respect of competitions to fill civil service positions specific to my Department. The costs of advertisements in all cases were borne by the Public Appointment Service. Two of these competitions have not yet reached their conclusion. The successful candidates in the other two competitions were already serving civil servants.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will appreciate that the policing of protests is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. I am informed that the group referred to is currently encamped on private property which is within Pearse Street Garda District where Garda management has been addressing the situation. They are aware, in particular, of issues surrounding the St. Patrick's Festival.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 and 571 together. In accordance with Government Decision of 15 March 2011, I retain a State car and Garda drivers in my capacity as the Minister for Justice & Equality. The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D., is assigned two civilian drivers. The costs associated...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Since being appointed as Minister for Defence, and Minister of State at the Department of Defence, respectively, neither myself nor Mr Paul Kehoe T.D., have incurred expenditure on entertainment. The entertainment expenses of the Secretary General in 2011 amounted to €1,132.80 including expenses which arose in hosting a seminar in Ireland jointly with Finland.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Personnel: Defence Forces Personnel (28 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Subject to the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009 and the terms of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 the findings of the third party adjudicator in relation to claims by PDFORRA are currently being honoured. In September 2010 the Independent Adjudicator under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Defence Forces issued a number of...