Results 12,561-12,580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern
- Written Answers — Extradition Warrants: Extradition Warrants (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together. I wish to inform the Deputy that the information provided in the following tabular form relates to European Arrest Warrants forwarded under the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 as amended and requests forwarded under Part II of the Extradition Act 1965 as amended. Prior to the enactment of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 as amended,...
- Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I can assure the Deputy that the Government has monitored the operation of the bail laws and made them more stringent where this has proved necessary. The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution allows for bail to be refused to a person charged with a serious offence, where it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person. The Bail Act...
- Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The current intake of 1,100 Garda recruits per annum is on course to meet the Government's recruitment target. As of 30 April 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the personnel strength of An Garda SÃochána was 13,874 with over 1,000 recruits in training.
- Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The construction of the new Garda station in Leixlip it is being progressed by the Office of Public Works and it is due to become operational later this year. The personnel strength of Leixlip Garda station as at 30 April was 26. The detailed allocation of resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with operational requirements. The situation will be kept under...
- Legal Services Ombudsman Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."
- Legal Services Ombudsman Bill 2008: Second Stage (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The rule of law is the cornerstone of a properly functioning democratic society and in an increasingly complex and prosperous society the law is becoming ever more complex. It is that rule that defines relationships between private individuals or entities in society and between the State and those individuals or entities. The law has never...
- Crime Levels (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: It is a matter of concern that the number of murders involving knives or sharp instruments doubled from 18 in 2006 to 36 last year. I should add, however, that the overall number of incidents involving such weapons recorded by the Garda SÃochána decreased from 1,138 in 2006 to 934 in 2007. Our legislation already prescribes strong penalties for offences involving the use of knives and...
- Crime Levels (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: As I stated in my reply, the Garda Commissioner's report in this regard was recently received by my Department. The report makes a number of small suggestions in respect of changes in this area, including in respect of powers of search, the prohibition of swords and providing that some summary offences be tried on indictment. I have indicated previously that I will use the criminal justice...
- Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The findings of the sixth report of the Morris tribunal are disturbing not only for the public but for the overwhelming majority of members of the Garda SÃochána who are conscientious and honourable and who have been badly let down by some of their colleagues. It finds that a number of persons were unlawfully arrested and detained and that some were mistreated in custody through verbal...
- Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: One of the changes made arose from the whistleblowers' regulations which were signed into law in April 2007. There is a confidential recipient, Mr. Brian McCarthy, former Secretary General to the President, who was appointed in March 2008. The system of whistleblowing will become operational once the charter is in place, has been submitted and is approved by me. When it is in place, it...
- Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: From time to time, a Minister with responsibility for justice will receive information. I have not received such information since I became Minister. As a result of the changes made in 2005, the Garda Ombudsman Commission is now up and running and has received a substantial number of complaints on issues brought to its attention by members of the public. The Garda Ombudsman Commission,...
- Inquiries into Garda Activities. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: In connection with what action has taken place, a new code of disciplinary measures has been put in place as a result of the recommendations of the Morris tribunal.
- Legislative Programme. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 provides for the prosecution in the State of Irish citizens or persons ordinarily resident in the State for an act against or involving children abroad. Under section 2 of the Act, the act must be a sexual offence under the law of the place it was done and, had it been done within this State, would have constituted an offence listed in the Schedule...
- Legislative Programme. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: Another question has been tabled on the McElwee case and I am aware of the circumstances of it. One of the reasons we propose to change the legislation is to tighten up the situation, not necessarily flowing from this particular case. For this new legislation, we have taken on board the views of various bodies, including the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Human Rights Commission and what...
- Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: As part of a general review of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 last year, the extension of the Act to An Garda SÃochána was considered. That consideration involved an examination of all factors relevant to the governance, oversight and accountability of An Garda SÃochána. Since the passage of the Garda SÃochána Act 2005, An Garda SÃochána and the regulatory and...
- Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: With regard to making a name for myself in regard to freedom of information, I am the only Minister who was ever threatened with Circuit Court proceedings by the Data Protection Commissioner. When I was Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I wanted to provide replies to freedom of information requests but the commissioner had huge problems with what I was doing. On her...
- Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: The Deputy asked me to make my name.
- Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I gave my response in my original reply. It is not feasible at this stage. It would create an unnecessary administrative burden on the Garda even in regard to issues that are not security determined. At the end of the day, Members say in the House that we do not have sufficient gardaÃ. The Government is on an upward scale recruiting. A total of 1,100 gardaà are in training in order...
- Freedom of Information. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I do not accept that. There is oodles of accountability in the Garda Ombudsman Commission, the inspectorate and all the other changes that have taken place since the Morris tribunal.
- Departmental Bodies. (28 May 2008)
Dermot Ahern: I must stress I have had no role in regard to the inception, detail or design of the campaign in question. As the Deputy noted, the fifth annual Say No to Ageism Week campaign ran this year between 19 May and 23 May. It was launched by my colleague, Deputy Máire Hoctor, Minister of State with responsibility for older people. It is a joint initiative of the National Council on Ageing and...