Results 13,041-13,060 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: While there is no getting away from the reality that public expenditure and public service numbers have to be reduced in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF, I am determined that this will be accompanied by real and substantive reform, reform which will make the delivery of public services more efficient and cost-effective. Our Programme for National Recovery recognises that...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The offences which the Minister for Transport recently announced will be brought within the Penalty Point system are already offences contrary to the Road Traffic Acts, which are detected and prosecuted by members of An Garda Síochána. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the inclusion of these offences within the Penalty Point system will ease demands with regard to prosecutions and...

Written Answers — Property Services Regulatory Authority: Property Services Regulatory Authority (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: On the basis that I assume the Deputy means the years 2006 to 2011 inclusive the relevant information is set out in the table. The Deputy should note that, in respect of 2011, expenditure figures were only available until the end of November. Year Total Expenditure (inclusive of wages and salaries) Wages and Salaries Only Numbers Employed(Whole Time Equivalent) 2006 €74,000 €38,000...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in April 2008. The application is currently at an advanced stage of processing and I understand will be submitted to me for decision in the near future. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Decisions in relation to the provision and deployment of Garda transport are matters for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that provision has been made in the Garda Vote for 2012 to acquire new vehicles for An Garda Síochána and in that general context a Request for Tender is currently being developed in conjunction with the National Procurement Service. This...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: A small number of promotions at Inspector and Sergeant level were approved last month and I will be shortly bringing proposals to Cabinet regarding appointments at senior levels in An Garda Síochána. There is no getting away from the reality that public expenditure and public service numbers have to be reduced in the context of the agreement with the EU and the IMF. I am determined that...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that persons involved in road traffic collisions, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested parties may, on written request, be supplied with an abstract of the Garda report in respect of the collision, copies of statements of witnesses and sketches or maps of the scene. The current fees are €60 for the supply of an abstract and €40 for a...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the firearms, specialist child interviewer, and the evidential breath testing courses is as set out below: Firearms Training Garda Headquarters Year Number of Gardaí who attended Training* Frequency of Courses Training Courses Duration of Courses Garda HeadquartersFirearms Course: 2008 6225...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the required certification fee and other requested documents have been received from the person referred to by the Deputy. The person concerned has also confirmed his availability to attend a citizenship ceremony on 3 February 2012 at which I intend to grant him a Certificate of...

Written Answers — Wards of Court: Wards of Court (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Jurisdiction in Wards of Court matters is vested in the High Court. The Courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and, therefore, it is not open to me as Minister to comment in any way. Section 4(3) of the Courts Service Act 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions,...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that the matter raised does not apply to my Department or to any Agency funded by my Department.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in October, 2008. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation...

Written Answers — Peace Commissioners: Peace Commissioners (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Peace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. There are in excess of 5700 appointed Peace Commissioners currently active in this State. Individuals seeking details of Peace Commissioners available in their areas are advised to contact the Peace Commissioner Unit of my Department or make inquiries at their local...

Written Answers — Garda Divisions: Garda Divisions (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Acts, proposals to alter the boundaries of a Garda geographical area are a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner. In that context I am advised by the Garda authorities that no Garda divisions will be merged in 2012. The Garda Annual Policing Plan for 2012, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 5th...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: In 2011, a total of 280 persons were removed from the State on foot of the provisions of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). Out of that figure, 235 persons were failed asylum seekers. The overall cost of removing those 280 persons from the State in accordance with the law was slightly in excess of €1 million in 2011. In July of 2011, a flight organised through the FRONTEX network...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to pro-actively targeting groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities, including the sale and supply, importation and trafficking of drugs at international and local levels. To this end, An Garda Síochána makes use of intelligence-led operations and tactics, including those of specialist...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: Since June 2009, 25 aircraft have been chartered for deportation flights. In 22 of these cases the flights were arranged through the EU FRONTEX network and were operated in conjunction with immigration authorities in other EU Member States. The cost to the State has been €1.97m. The number of people deported by charter since June 2009 is 445 including 119 children - all of whom were...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Government's Programme for National Recovery calls for a higher priority to be attached to community policing. Community policing is at the heart of policing in Ireland. This point has been consistently emphasised by the Garda Commissioner and endorsed by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. In the Commissioner's Annual Policing Plan for 2012, he has re-iterated his commitment to...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (11 Jan 2012)

Alan Shatter: The first recourse of any householder faced with a burglary should be, where circumstances permit, to the Garda Síochána. They are best placed to deal with violent offenders and to investigate offences. The Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011 addresses those unfortunate situations where a householder comes face to face with a burglar. It was signed by the President on 19...

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (11 Jan 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...