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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I have received the advices of the Attorney General on the joint committee's report. More recently I received the views of the Minister for Health. These are being examined. When the review of prostitution legislation has been completed, I will bring my legislative proposals to Government for approval in the usual way. A policy decision is a matter for the Government at that stage.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was issued with a declaration of refugee status on 14th July, 2010. However, this declaration was subsequently revoked as it was established that the person concerned had provided false and misleading information during the course of their asylum application. The revocation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must: - be of full age - be of good character - have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I wish to put on record my appreciation for the contribution that those who volunteer for service as Garda Reserve members make on a daily basis to the work of An Garda Síochána. Together with full time members, they provide vital assistance to communities and neighbourhoods right across the country. The Admission and Appointment Regulations provide that, as part of the competitive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 604 together. The operation and deployment of Garda resources, including equipment, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In that regard I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 610 together. As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In that context the Garda authorities have confirmed that they monitor policing developments in other jurisdictions on an on-going basis with a view to identifying international best practice in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware periods of temporary release granted can vary greatly from a few hours following a family bereavement to, for example, a requirement to report to the prison every 12 months in the case of a life sentence prisoner who has been released into the community a considerable time ago. It is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy for all forms of temporary release as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that the number of prisoners deemed to have absconded from the custody of the Irish Prison Service in each of the past six years to date is set out in the following table. Year Number of Absconders 2008 122 2009 133 2010 112 2011 86 2012 63 2013 18 2014 2 As on 25 April 2014, Irish Prison Service records indicate that of the 536 persons who absconded during...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 December 2004 to 2013 and on 28 February 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, broken down by rank and gender is set out in the following tables : Rank 31/12/04 31/12/04 31/12/05 31/12/05 31/12/06...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I can advise the Deputy that on 29th April, 2014 there were 4,031 prisoners in custody against a bed capacity of 4,175 which represented an occupancy level of 97%. The average number of prisoners in custody in Ireland has risen in the last 10 years, from 3,199 during 2004 to 4,158 during 2013, an increase of over 29%. Likewise the total number of committals to prison has also risen sharply...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will be aware the provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of vehicles purchased between the years 2008 to 2013 is as shown in the following table: Garda Vehicle Allocations 2013 2012 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: In relation to the statistics requested by the Deputy, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics directly to the Deputy. I can inform...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Government recently nominated two District Court judges who are due to be appointed shortly to fill two vacancies in the District Court. There are currently no vacancies in the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Circuit Court.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,175. On 29th April 2014 there were 4,031 prisoners in custody. This represents 97% occupancy. I wish to inform the Deputy that at the end of January 2014, there were 3,172 usable cells in the prison system. 1,854 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for 47% of all prisoners...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) is currently engaged in the review of a number of historical cases. The function of the SCRT is to assist the Senior Investigating Officers assigned to the case in question in bringing investigations to a successful conclusion by identifying further investigative opportunities and ensuring that investigations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pathologists (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: It is a matter for the State Pathologist to determine how her Office operates and in that regard I have been informed that the necessary operational arrangements have been put in place by the State Pathologist to ensure the continued efficient running of her Office. Additionally, the question of appointing a replacement Deputy State Pathologist is being actively pursued.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the court that their means are insufficient to enable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (30 Apr 2014)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional...