Results 12,581-12,600 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

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

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, an expert group, established under the auspices of my Department, is engaged in a comprehensive review of the Proceeds of Crime legislation with a view to identifying possible improvements that would serve to strengthen the operation of the Criminal Assets Bureau. A number of matters are being reviewed by the group, including decreasing the amount of time which must...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda vetting certificates for employment purposes are only provided for those seeking employment in Ireland with registered organisations where the employment involves substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. The service is provided by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. A phased roll-out of employment vetting is being...

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

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost to the event holder is determined by the number of gardaí deployed at a particular event. The operational policing plan for a particular event is formulated by local operational management. I am further informed that An Garda Síochána does not recover the full cost of policing such events.

Written Answers — White Papers: White Papers (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I understand the Deputy is referring to the introduction of a pilot project, the Community Return scheme, in October, 2011 under which offenders who pose no threat to the community are offered earned early temporary release in return for supervised community service. I understand that the Probation Service has sufficient resources to support the scheme at present. Should additional resources...

Written Answers — White Papers: White Papers (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that consultation has been central to the development of the White Paper on Crime and was principally structured around four discussion documents. As part of this process my Department has consulted extensively across Government, non-Governmental and community sectors, as well as with individual members of the public. Consultation has taken place both through...

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

Alan Shatter: The General Scheme of a Bill relating to inspections of places of detention is being prepared in my Department. This is intended, inter alia, to enable ratification of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT). When the General Scheme has been completed, I will be seeking Government approval...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have previously indicated to the House my intention to keep under review the legislative framework underpinning the State's response to organised crime to see whether any further improvements could be made to render it more effective. Further to this, my Department is currently undertaking a specific review of the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, to which the...

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

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that, having obtained Government approval for urgent drafting by the Office of the Attorney General and Parliamentary Counsel, I published the text of the General Scheme of the Personal Insolvency Bill on 25 January last. There is a requirement under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland to publish the Bill in Quarter 1 of 2012 – since extended to...

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

Alan Shatter: I am satisfied that the current procedures regarding deaths in prison custody fully comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. The jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights requires that there should be some form of an effective official investigation when individuals have been killed as a result of the use of force and this includes the death of a prisoner even if that...

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

Alan Shatter: The strength of the Garda Síochána at the end of 2011 was just under 13,900, along with over 2,000 civilian support staff and over 800 Garda Reserve members. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the total number of Garda retirements from the Force in the first two months of this year is expected to be around 300. To put that figure into context, in 2009 the number of retirements...

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

Alan Shatter: The Personal Insolvency Bill, the Heads of which I published on 25 January 2012, introduces a number of new non-judicial debt settlement systems. One of those systems - the Debt Relief Certificate (DRC) - provides for the writing-off of debt where debtors with no assets and no income may be unable to meet qualifying debts totalling not more than €20,000. The purpose is to create an...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: Speed cameras save lives through the reduction of fatal and serious-injury speed-related collisions. The outsourced safety camera network commenced operations in November 2010 and is currently providing 6,000 speed monitoring hours and 1,475 speed survey hours per month across the country. I am informed that up to the end of 2011 a total of €10.624m has been received on foot of fixed...

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have previously stated my intention to strengthen the independent oversight of our prisons. Under new legislation to be prepared, I intend to make Visiting Committees more effective while they continue their role of visiting prisons, meeting with prisoners, and liaising on their behalf with prison authorities. The arrangements for membership of the Committees will be changed and a link...

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

Alan Shatter: In reaching a decision on the closure and the reduction of public opening hours of Garda stations, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all Divisional Officers were asked...

Written Answers — National Women's Strategy: National Women's Strategy (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The National Women's Strategy was launched by the previous Government in 2007 as a policy document in relation to the advancement of women in all areas of Irish society for the period 2007-2016. Its three key themes of equalising socio-economic opportunity for women, ensuring the wellbeing of women and engaging women as equal and active citizens largely correspond with the aims of the...

Written Answers — Prisoner Complaints Procedures: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 provides for a Visiting Committee to be constituted for every prison in the State and one of the statutory duties of such committees is to hear any complaints which may be made to them by a prisoner. Under new legislation to be prepared, I intend to make Visiting Committees more effective while they continue their role. The arrangements for...

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

Alan Shatter: In reaching a decision on the closure of Garda stations, the Commissioner reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all Divisional Officers were asked to assess the level of activity in each...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: The reform of personal insolvency law, the Heads of Bill which I have published, will involve the introduction of three new non-judicial debt settlement systems, subject to relevant conditions in each case. These are as follows:

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: · A Debt Relief Certificate to allow for the full write-off of qualifying unsecured debt up to €20,000, after a one-year moratorium period for debtors with "no assets – no income";

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (7 Feb 2012)

Alan Shatter: · a Debt Settlement Arrangement for the agreed settlement of unsecured debt of €20,001 and over with two or more creditors;