Results 12,481-12,500 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in my reply to an earlier question, I intend to bring before the Government shortly proposals in relation to covert surveillance by the Garda Síochána. These measures will include provisions dealing with the use of information or material obtained in evidence in these cases. I should point out that the use in Court of the results of surveillance is already permissible under...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As indicated, I intend to bring proposals before the Government shortly dealing with the matter. In line with the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission, the proposed measure will include provisions relating to judicial oversight and a complaints mechanism.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 122 together. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that they remain committed to targeting violent crime and to tackling those who engage or facilitate persons involved in such activity. The Garda Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2008 sets out strategic goals for the Force and includes a commitment to significantly reduce the impact of crime...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the policing of the border area is constantly monitored and reviewed by senior Garda Management and their Regional Management Team. These reviews cover crime analysis, crime trends, policing requirements and resource allocation. An Garda Síochána in co-operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland is engaging in high-visibility policing...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Prison Service publication entitled "The Prison Adult Literacy Survey — Results and Implications" published in September 2003 showed that a significant number of prisoners have very low levels of literacy — 52% of them were at Level 1 or Pre-Level 1 literacy levels. In other words, more than twice as many prisoners are at the lowest level as compared with the general...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that there are ongoing discussions with the Stardust Victims Committee's legal representative concerning the arrangements for the independent examination.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 194 together. As the Deputies will be aware, these matters have already been decided by the Government and the position in that respect is as indicated in response to PQ No. 2 of 17 April 2008. In the short period since taking up office I have not had the opportunity to consider in great detail how to best advance progress with these complex issues....

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: A letter from the Dutch Ministry of Justice was received by the Central Authority for Mutual Legal Assistance based in my Department on 27 July, 2004. The substance of the letter related to whether or not a prosecution against Dr. A could be instituted here rather than in the Netherlands. The letter was furnished to the Gardaí, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am in discussion with the Garda Ombudsman Commission on possible amendments to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 aimed at further improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. I intend to bring proposals to Government in relation to the drafting of those amendments shortly. An outline of amendments proposed by the Ombudsman Commission is set out in their two year progress...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following the commencement of provisions of the Children Act 2001, as amended, responsibility for children detention schools transferred from the Minister for Education and Science to the remit of my Department on 1st March 2007. There are currently 4 schools in operation, 3 at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin and 1 at Finglas, Dublin 11. As the Deputy may be aware the development of new...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda National Drugs Unit is the primary unit within An Garda Síochána charged with responsibility for drug supply law enforcement. As at 30 April 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of the Unit was 62. Since the publication of the Government's National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, Garda resources in the fight against illicit drugs have...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 172. 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 behaviour...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government Alcohol Advisory Group which was established in January last to examine the public order aspects of the sale and consumption of alcohol submitted its Report on 31 March. It contains 31 recommendations for legislative and other reforms in areas covered by its terms of reference. On 22 April, the Government approved the drafting of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 which...

Written Answers — Witness Protection Programme: Witness Protection Programme (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 162, 178 and 342 together. The intimidation of witnesses is an offence pursuant to Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999. Section 41 specifies the offence as harming, threatening or menacing or in any other way intimidating or putting in fear another person who is assisting in the investigation of an offence by the Garda Síochána, with the...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Commissioner has committed in his Policing Plan 2008 to commence the development of a Garda Charter during the third and fourth quarters of 2008. The aim of a Garda Charter is to improve customer service and responsiveness. The Charter will set out targeted response times and levels of service the public can expect, including the frequency of high visibility patrols in urban and...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer to replies to Question Nos. 505, 39 and 487 of 4 March, 17 April and 20 May 2008 respectively. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Employee Assistance Service: Garda Employee Assistance Service (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 195 together. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Employee Assistance Programme in An Garda Síochána provides a confidential support and referral service to both serving and former members of An Garda Síochána, their immediate families, and to students. The service is available to help resolve work or personal issues that are causing...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (28 May 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...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 139 together. It is the nature of many public order offences that they are only recorded and detected because of the presence of Gardaí. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the increase in the number of public order offences detected reflects the significant increase in the level of Garda activity in this respect under Operation Encounter....

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (28 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer to the reply to Question No. 138 of 4 March 2008 which indicated that the National Disability Strategy Stakeholder Monitoring Group — comprising representatives of stakeholder groups, senior officials of the relevant Government Departments and the National Disability Authority — received a third report on the National Disability Strategy by senior officials in January 2008. The...