Results 12,561-12,580 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: We have dealt with this issue on many occasions. The main objective of barracks closures is to release personnel for operational duties. Closures are needed to relieve the Defence Forces of the burden of manning and securing the barracks which are to be closed and maximise the proportion of personnel who can be released for front-line duties. The strength of the Army has been cut to its...

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have already responded to the questions raised by the Deputy.

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The defence property portfolio is kept under review to ensure the most effective use of military resources having regard to the roles assigned by the Government to the Defence Forces. On 15 November 2011 the Government approved a proposal from me to proceed with a further phase of consolidation of Defence Forces personnel in fewer locations with the closure of four barracks - the barracks in...

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I will reply to the last question first. My Department has been actively engaged in seeking alternative uses for the barracks involved. There has been real interest in possible uses, but I do not wish to go into this in great detail now. Engagements and discussions are taking place in the case of each barracks. There is real potential for the properties to be utilised in a manner that is...

Army Barracks (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: These issues are still being addressed. I do not think it will be necessary to do so. In Mullingar, for example, I do not see that as an issue because of the proximity of Athlone. I will come back to the Deputy in that regard. The only advertisement I am aware of having been placed so far relates to Cavan.

Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces are primarily deployed on overseas missions in support of international peace and security under UN mandates. On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an international security assistance force, ISAF, in Afghanistan. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN...

Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I know the Deputy has a paranoia about the United States. I remind the Deputy that when this mission commenced the Taliban were in control in Afghanistan and women were not allowed to participate in education, were stoned for alleged misconduct and were not allowed to be seen in public without their faces being covered and wearing the hijab. Following the murderous atrocity of 11 September...

Overseas Missions (8 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have outlined for the Deputy the deployment of seven members of the Defence Forces and the work they do. That work has been an important contribution in a very difficult area. It would be interesting, for once, to hear the Deputy explain how she would solve the problems of a very difficult and fraught country such as Afghanistan. I do not have the solutions for the difficulties in that...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigations into Anglo Irish Bank by An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) are ongoing with a full Investigation team employed at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. I am further informed that 26 members of An Garda Síochána are engaged in these investigations, comprising fifteen personnel...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I should say at the outset that the recent Law Reform Commission document referred to by the Deputy is a consultation paper on mandatory sentences which invites submissions from interested parties and is not a final report. The Law Reform Commission was asked by the previous Attorney General to look at the general question of mandatory sentencing. This was done at the instigation of the then...

Written Answers — Prisoner Welfare: Prisoner Welfare (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is in the process of drafting a new Strategic Plan for 2012-2014 which will be presented to me, by the Director General, in the first week of April. The development of prisoner welfare and resettlement functions will form a central part of this Strategy, and will be considered by me in due course. In the meantime, the Irish Prison Service...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, the provision of legal aid within this State is split into two separate categories, namely civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, the courts, through the Judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant for legal aid must establish to the satisfaction of the court that his/her means are...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The House will appreciate that it is the Revenue Commissioners who take the lead role in investigating fuel laundering and smuggling in this jurisdiction and are supported in that role by An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána remains fully committed to providing the necessary support to the Revenue Commissioners. Searches are regularly undertaken by members of An Garda Síochána, at the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the additional costs arising for the Gardaí from the policing operation of the Shell Refinery project at Bellanaboy from 2006 to December 2011 is €14,566,262. I am enclosing a detailed breakdown of the figures as a tabular statement with this reply. The figures do not include the basic salaries as these are incurred in the normal course as part...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is in the process of drafting a new Strategic Plan 2012-2014 which will be presented to me, by the Director General, in the first week of April. The Irish Prison Service is also preparing a 40 month Capital Expenditure Plan which will form a central part of this Strategic Plan.While it is not possible at this time to be specific on the...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: A review of the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, involving all parties to the process, is under way. It is anticipated that the review will be completed in 2012 and new regulations introduced thereafter.

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made. The Courts Service has informed me that, in allocating resources, the Courts Service is prioritising the provision of its front line services, including...

Written Answers — Garda Inspectorate: Garda Inspectorate (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that the Government has taken note of the Garda Inspectorate report, Responding to Child Sexual Abuse, and that the report and a document responding to the report's recommendations were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 February 2012. The report and the response document were also published on my Department's website, www.justice.ie, on that date. I am...

Written Answers — Prison Deaths: Prison Deaths (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: All deaths of prisoners are subject to independent investigation. Every case of a death in prison custody is the subject of a Garda investigation and an inquest held in a Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the court. There are procedures in place within the Irish Prison Service for the investigation of all deaths in...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I wish to advise the Deputy that meetings have taken place with the Governors and prison doctors regarding the new procedures for the operation of safety observation cells and close supervision cells. The Irish Prison Service is finalising the policies and procedures which will underpin the future operation of these cells. When this is completed, further meetings will be arranged with all...