Results 13,521-13,540 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Garda Inspectorate Reports: Garda Inspectorate Reports (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I welcome the third report of the Garda Inspectorate entitled, "Policing in Ireland — Looking Forward". It is a comprehensive examination of administration and operation of the Garda Síochána and I would like to record my gratitude to the Chief Inspector Kathleen O'Toole and her colleagues Bob Olson and Gwen Boniface for their work. As the members of the House know, the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that all members who have access to the Garda Information System (GIS) which incorporates PULSE and the Garda National Immigration Bureau Systems have access to Email for internal use. Access to external email is available to all Gardaí from the rank of Inspector upwards. I am also advised that external email is also available to Sergeants, Gardaí and...

Written Answers — Inquiries into Garda Activities: Inquiries into Garda Activities (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I presume that the question relates to a recent application by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to the Coroner for the adjournment of an inquest. The Coroner is an independent office holder who acts in the public interest in the investigation of certain deaths. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is a newly established independent office which also operates in the public...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to inform the deputy that plans for the future of Spike Island are being considered by an Interdepartmental Group comprising of representatives from my Department and the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism; Finance and Defence. This group has begun its deliberations and I await its findings.

Written Answers — Forensic Science Laboratory: Forensic Science Laboratory (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Forensic Science Laboratory which, although located within the Garda Headquarters complex at Phoenix Park, is a separate civilian led service coming under the aegis of my Department. My Department works closely with the Laboratory in assessing and responding to its needs. To this end an additional 10 staff were sanctioned for the Laboratory in...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 143, 173 and 493 together. The Deputy will be aware that the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including equipment, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to be decided on the basis of his identified operational requirements. I am advised by the Garda authorities that two types of protective body armour are in use. Detectives are issued with...

Written Answers — Rural Policing: Rural Policing (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that engagement with the rural community and rural policing is one of the priorities of An Garda Síochána. Senior Garda management continually monitor resources and policing initiatives to ensure that the service being provided is continuously improving and the recent comments by the Inspectorate in this regard will be taken on board. Rural Policing...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reprehensible gun attack on Garda Paul Sherlock is a stark reminder of the dangers facing members of the Garda Síochána as they go about their daily task of protecting us all. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the shooting of Garda Sherlock in the North Strand area of Dublin on 25 September, 2007 is ongoing. To date the investigating team has undertaken...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are two civilian staff members attached to the Reserve Section of the Garda Síochána. The total personnel strength of the Garda Reserve is 248 including trainees. A total of 113 members are fully attested.

Written Answers — Criminal Assets Bureau: Criminal Assets Bureau (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 126 together. The Criminal Assets Bureau has been at the forefront of the fight against organised crime, including drug trafficking, in this jurisdiction since its inception in 1996. The significant successes that the Bureau continues to achieve by its operations demonstrates the effectiveness of its approach in pursuing illegally gotten...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 145 together. A preferred bidder, TETRA Ireland Ltd, has been selected for the provision of a digital radio service for An Garda Síochána and other emergency services. As part of the procurement process, the preferred bidder was required to carry out a service performance evaluation in an area covering parts of Dublin and Meath including the Port and...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of full time and part time civilian staff assigned to An Garda Síochána as at the 1st October 2007 was 2,247. 250 Clerical Officers have been recruited and assigned positions within the Garda Síochána since 1st January 2007. The Government has authorised the Garda Commissioner to recruit a further 350 civilians to release trained...

Written Answers — Recidivism Rate: Recidivism Rate (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The results of the first major study of prisoner re-offending was published in December, 2006 by the UCD Institute of Criminology. The study, which received the full co-operation of the Irish Prison Service, was based on 19,955 prisoner releases that took place between 1 January, 2001, and 30 November, 2004. The study found that 27.4% of released prisoners were serving a new prison sentence...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total cost to date, including salaries, of the Garda policing operation at the proposed Shell refinery site at Bellanaboy, Co. Mayo, is approximately €8.1 million. I am further informed that there is in place a Garda policing plan within the Garda Division in respect of the Garda Síochána's statutory duty to prevent breaches of the criminal...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 136 together. The current status of the Thornton Hall Prison project is as follows. Negotiations are currently underway with a preferred bidder, who was selected following an EU public tender procedure in relation to the construction and maintenance of the prison complex at the Thornton Hall site. It is intended that these facilities will provide a...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 142 together. The stated objective of the European Union is to develop a comprehensive migration policy which covers both legal and illegal migration. The Deputy will find a statement of the Commission's current priorities in combating illegal immigration of third-country nationals in Commission document COM (2006) 402. The Communication addresses...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 30th June 2007 (the latest date for which Community Policing figures are readily available), the total personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,361. The total personnel strength attached to Community Policing at that time was 565. This represents a percentage of 4.22% of the total strength of the Force. Of course community policing involves more than a single unit within An...

Written Answers — Garda Management: Garda Management (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 174 together. The interim and final reports of the Advisory Group on Garda Management and Leadership Development contain many excellent recommendations on how management of the force can be further improved. I am very grateful to Dr. Maurice Hayes and the other members of the group for bringing their expertise from business, academic and public...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to priority Question No. 97 of today's date.