Results 16,041-16,060 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State, on Stamp 4 conditions, until 5 October, 2010. The decision had regard for the fact that the person concerned was, at the time the decision was made in March, 2008, a dependant child of a non-EEA national parent of a born in Ireland before 1 January, 2005 whose mother was granted permission to remain in the State under the...

Written Answers — Adoptive Leave: Adoptive Leave (19 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Adoption Leave Acts 1995 and 2005 provide an entitlement to adoptive leave to an employed adopting mother or to a sole male adopter. These provisions closely follow the provisions for maternity leave in the Maternity Protection Act 1994. There is currently no general entitlement to paternity leave in Irish law. Both the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 contain...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (19 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: There are no plans to amend section 23 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (19 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: There are several contestable assumptions in the Deputy's question including the overall inference that delays in processing asylum applications are the exclusive responsibility of the State. The reality is rather more complex even if it must be acknowledged that the present legal system is seriously out of date. The direct provision system is designed to deliver humane and cost efficient...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (19 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: Ireland is currently contributing 129 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 44 personnel and the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel. Other personnel are serving as...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The issue of the treatment of pension benefits for taxation purposes is not the responsibility of my Department.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 53 and 59 together. There has been a significant increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years and as of 13 May 2011, there were 4,490 prisoners in custody and 835 on temporary release. The number on temporary release equates to 15.3% of the total prisoner population. There were 229 prisoners in custody serving sentences of less...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Domestic Violence Act 1996, as amended by Acts of 2002 and 2010, makes substantial provision for victims of domestic violence who are not married to or in a civil partnership with their abuser. A person may apply for a safety order if he or she has been living with a person as husband and wife for six months in aggregate of the previous twelve, and may apply for a barring order if he or...

Written Answers — Witness Protection Programme: Witness Protection Programme (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy knows the Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide statutory guidelines for the Witness Security Programme and it is a matter on which I will bring forward proposals in due course. Since 1997, the Garda Síochána has operated a Witness Security Programme in response to attempts by criminal and other groups to prevent the normal functioning of the criminal...

Written Answers — Proceeds of Crime: Proceeds of Crime (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: In accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, an annual report on the activities of the Bureau is prepared and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The annual reports of the Bureau provide details of the activities of the Bureau during the particular year, including detailed statistics concerning actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Proceeds...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting of Personnel: Garda Vetting of Personnel (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 156 together. I share the concerns which have been expressed by various Deputies at the length of time currently being taken to process vetting applications. The vetting service has been expanded greatly in recent years as part of an ongoing, phased programme to roll-out vetting to an increasing number of organisations in the child and vulnerable adult...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Criminal Evidence Act 1992 contains a range of measures designed to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses. For example, section 16(1)(b), as amended, makes provision for the video recording of a statement made by a person under 14 years of age, or with an intellectual disability (in respect of whom a sexual offence or an offence involving violence is alleged to have been committed)...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation Unit (GBFI) is as set out in the table here under: Rank Strength D/Chief Superintendent 1 D/Superintendents 2 D/Inspectors 5 D/Sergeants 14 D/Gardaí 51 Included in the figures above are 11 additional Detective Gardaí that were assigned to the GBFI on 1 February 2011....

Written Answers — Victims of Crime: Victims of Crime (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The new Victims Charter and Guide to the Criminal Justice System, which was launched in July 2010, provides a number of undertakings in relation to the interaction between members of An Garda Síochána and victims of crime. In relation to criminal trials, the Gardaí undertake to provide certain information to victims, including: whether the suspect is being held in custody or is on bail,...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána, with the vital support of the Defence Forces, is responsible for the security of the visit of Queen Elizabeth. I have the utmost confidence in the Commissioner and his officers, who I know are totally committed to ensuring that these events pass off without incident. Senior Garda management is satisfied that all the necessary and appropriate measures are in place to...

Written Answers — Commercial Rent Reviews: Commercial Rent Reviews (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government indicates that legislation will be introduced to end upward only rent reviews for existing leases. I am engaged in on-going consultations with the Attorney General in order to determine how this matter can best be expedited. In addition to the legislation which has been specified in the Programme for Government, I am also very...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: The deployment of Garda resources to Police protest actions in the North Mayo area connected with the Corrib Gas Project is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The aim is to prevent public order offences and to ensure that people can go about their lawful business. There is no question of seeking a financial contribution from any private company towards the cost of the Garda operation.

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: Over the last number of years there has been a significant programme of investment in Garda vehicles. This investment has resulted in the expansion of the fleet with consequential benefits to Garda members in terms of safety and operational capacity. Additionally, all Garda fleet requirements are kept under review. Future transport requirements will be pursued in the context of identified...

Written Answers — Joint Policing Committees: Joint Policing Committees (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 63 together. The functions and powers of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a Committee in each local authority area. They provide the framework for a partnership process involving An Garda Síochána and elected members and officials of the local authority, which are the two organisations...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 May 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am acutely aware of the distress which burglaries can cause for affected householders and I have been assured that Garda management is constantly reviewing strategies to tackle this offence. Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner in consultation with his senior management team and the allocation of personnel is...