Results 1,361-1,380 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Remit (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to provide independent oversight of complaints made against members of the Garda Síochána. The Garda Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cyber Security Policy (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that a number of significant initiatives are being undertaken to tackle cybercrime. With regard to legislative initiatives, among the Bills in the Government Legislation Programme is the Criminal Justice (Cybercrime) Bill. This Bill creates a range of offences to protect information systems and data from illegal access and interference. When enacted, it will enable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Policy (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The intention of theses guidelines is to provide greater transparency and more comprehensive and consistent standards in respect of applications where non-EEA nationals seek to come to live in Ireland on the basis of their relationship with an Irish citizen or with another non-EEA national entitled to reside here. As the Deputy will appreciate, even if his correspondent does not, this issue...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Extradition Arrangements (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to the provisions of the Extradition Act 1965, as amended. Section 11(2A) of the Act provides that extradition shall not be granted for an offence where there are substantial grounds for believing that, if the request for extradition is granted, the person claimed may be subjected to torture. Section 33(3) of the Act 1965, as amended, provides that I, as Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the military authorities that the Terms and Conditions for members of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) are outlined in Defence Force Regulation R5 and Administration Instruction R5. Members of the AR and NSR are volunteers who undertake training in their spare time. Training is delivered through evening parades, weekend training days and periods of full...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: In line with the recommendations of the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), gratuities were withdrawn from members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve at the end of 2012. In the 2013 estimates this budget was re-allocated to paid training for members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve. This measure was introduced to provide appropriate paid training...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Health Services Provision (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: It has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. As soon as the information is available, it will be sent to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: My Department has appointed a Data Protection Officer. Key responsibilities associated with this role include liaising with Branches in relation to data protection matters, responding to queries from Branches on various elements of the Data Protection Acts and liaising with the Department’s Data Controller, as and when required. The Data Protection Officer is also the first point of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Flood Relief (20 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Framework for Major Emergency Management sets out the structure for enabling the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Local Authorities) to provide a coordinated response to major emergencies including severe weather events. The involvement of the Defence Forces arises from requests for assistance received from such Agencies in its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: GSOC told me that it did not want to publish the Verrimus report. We are going to give it to the High Court judge and I cannot add to that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I would certainly hope that no Deputy is being bugged. I am not aware of any Deputy being bugged -----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Certainly, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I have not signed any document to authorise any Deputy being bugged.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Or Senator. But let me say again, Chairman, if some Member of the Oireachtas is planning to rob a bank, import large amounts of cocaine or to do anything else, which the Garda Síochána may discover-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I do not want to go into the substances but I could not guarantee that at some stage that I or one of my successors may not be asked to sign some sort of warrant.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I know, I have read it and I have saw it. Based on that kind of approach I would have huge concerns that there is a view the people are guilty until proven innocent. We actually have a system in this country whereby people are innocent until proven guilty. I found that particular response genuinely confusing. I specifically raised the issue in the correspondence that I had with GSOC after...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: Absolutely, and I think it helped to add to the narrative that has been continuous for the last week suggesting that the Garda was indeed engaged in some sort of surveillance even though the conclusion of GSOC - in its brief, its statement and press release - was that there was no evidence of Garda misconduct. It was an unfortunate manner of responding to the question asked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I cannot say any more than that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I cannot say any more than that. On the second question, we have already dealt with, Chairman, the decision made by Cabinet. That is the decision made by Cabinet. I know that, no matter what is done in regard to this issue, no matter what is concluded, there will always be people critical of decisions are made. One moment people are asking that a judge be appointed and a review or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: There is something called Cabinet confidentiality. The Cabinet made a decision. The decision was the decision announced and I cannot take it any further.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have no idea.