Results 13,281-13,300 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table: Year 2010 2011 2012 Increments paid/due to be paid 1322 1023 975 As the Deputy is aware, increments are awarded subject to satisfactory performance and attendance.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Government Legislation Programme indicates that the Mental Capacity Bill is expected to be published in early 2012. The Bill will reform the law on mental capacity taking into account the Law Reform Commission's Report on Vulnerable Adults and the Law. The Bill will replace the Wards of Court system with a modern statutory framework governing decision-making on behalf of adults who lack...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 it is an offence, inter alia, to use words, publish or distribute written material, or broadcast any visual images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended, or, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to stir up hatred. The word "hatred" is defined as "hatred against a group of persons in the State...

Written Answers — Equality Issues: Equality Issues (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: My Department has a Liaison Officer in the Permanent Representation in Strasbourg, whose functions include ensuring that my Department and I are aware of all pertinent developments. I understand that the next step is that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommendation is referred to the Committee of Ministers' Deputies in Strasbourg for consideration.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: As a signatory to Protocol 12, Ireland keeps the question of ratifying the Protocol under review. The major issue is the lack of clarity as to the precise extent of the obligations imposed on State parties by the very broad general prohibition on discrimination in Article 1 of the Protocol. My Department will continue to watch closely how the European Court of Human Rights interprets the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Government's five-year Programme for National Recovery contains a commitment to "... introduce comprehensive reforms of the immigration, residency and asylum systems, which will include a statutory appeals system and set out rights and obligations in a transparent way." These commitments are being given effect by the Government in its further development of the Immigration, Residence and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Arrangements have been made for the provision of additional funding for the Garda Vote in 2011 by way of a supplementary estimate. One of the main reasons for the supplementary estimate is to provide for an overrun on expenditure that has arisen in connection with the policing of the State visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama. At this stage the supplementary estimate has been...

Written Answers — Gambling Issues: Gambling Issues (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am pleased to tell the Deputy that my officials had already arranged a meeting for next week with the organisation in question. My Department has met with this organisation before but next week's meeting is the latest in a series of meetings with participants from across the whole spectrum in the gambling sector. This organisation brings a particular and very useful perspective based on its...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Courts Service is responsible for the provision of facilities for users of the courts under section 5(e) of the Courts Service Act 1998 and, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Service is independent in the performance of its functions. However, I am informed that in instances where the presiding Judge specifically orders the provision of an interpreter, the Courts Service meets the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: It is estimated that the full year effect on my Department of 2% increase in the standard rate of VAT will be in the region of €2.4m.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of Tuesday, 29th November, 2011 which is as follows. The position is unchanged since then. The person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State for the three year period to 20th March, 2011. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 20th March, 2008. The person...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my detailed Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 403 of Tuesday, 29th November, 2011 which is as follows. The position is unchanged since then. Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 15th September, 2009, that the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of Tuesday, 29th November, 2011 - set out beneath. The position is unchanged since then. The person concerned is a failed asylum applicant. Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The person concerned should be advised to write to the General Immigration Division of Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 with regard to changing her current immigration status. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the documentation referred to by the Deputy has been received and has been responded to. INIS will write to the person concerned when a final determination of his application has been made. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 27th March, 2009, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily,...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Dec 2011)

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 November, 2010. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Dunboyne Garda Station as at 31 December 2007 - 31 December 2010 and 31 October 2011 the latest date for which figures are readily available was as set out in the following table: 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 16 14 18 16 13 The allocation of all resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 17 November 2011 and Parliamentary Questions 161 and 174 of 24 November 2011. The position is unchanged since then. I am aware that there have been proposals of this nature and of course my Department will give due consideration to the issue. However great caution should be exercised before embarking on such a...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Last month, I signed into law Statutory Instrument 569/11, which introduced an application fee of €175 for applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The Statutory Instrument also introduced a series of changes to the application forms, in particular to facilitate applicants who are the civil partners of Irish citizens. Applicants in the main spend up to 5 years in the state before...