Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 4

Written Answers. - Task Forces.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

157 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the number of task forces which have been established in her Department since January 1994; the purpose of, the personnel attached and the resources made available to each task force; the status of each task force as at 1 May 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9956/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

There were no task forces, as such, established in my Department since 1994. However, in order to clarify matters I am providing the following material in relation to working groups, committees etc. established in my Department since January 1994, a number of which are no longer in existence.

Title and Subject Matter of Working Group, Committee	Personnel	Resources	Status as at 1/5/96
Working Group on Security of Tenure set up to examine and report on the position of security of tenure in the private rented sector, with particular reference to any changes which may be desirable to the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act, 1980.	Department of Justice official — Chairperson Department of the Environment Official Ms Mary Higgins — Threshold Ms Jacqueline Linnane, B.L. Mr. Alan Cooke — The Auctioneers and Valuers Institute Mr. Eric Brunker — A & L Goodbody solicitors Mr. Paul Ward — Law School, U.C.D.	Secretariat etc. services provided by my Department.	Established in 1994. Work continuing.
Working Group on a Courts Commission to report to the Minister on the review of the operation of the Courts system having regard to the level and quality of service provided to the public, staffing, information technology etc; the financing of the Courts system, including the current relationship between the Courts, the Department of Justice and the Oireachtas in this regard and any other aspect of the Court system which the Group considers appropriate; to consider and report to the Minister on the matter of the establishment of a Commission on the Management of the Courts as an independent and permanent body with financial and management autonomy.	Members of Working Group Mrs. Justice Susan Denham — Supreme Court Mr. Justice Ronan Keane — High Court Mr. Justice Kevin O'Higgins — Circuit Court Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness — Circuit Court Judge Peter Smithwick — District Court Mr. Anthony Hederman — Chairman of The Law Reform Commission Mr. Ken Murphy — Director General of The Law Society James Nugent, S.C. — Chairman of The Bar Council Mr. Ken Wright — Management Consultant John Rogers SC Ms Róisín McDermott — Chairwoman of Women's Aid Mr. Kevin Duffy — Assistant General Secretary ICTU	Secretariat etc. services provided by my Department.	Established in 1995. Work continuing.
	Departmental Representatives
	Department of Justice official
	Department of Finance official
	Attorney General's Office official
Working Group set up to consider the problem of assaults on bus drivers and other related matters.	Representatives of my Department, the Gardaí, Dublin Bus, SIPTU and NBRU.	Chairperson and Secretary of the Group were officials of my Department.	Established in November '95. Work concluded and report completed.
Steering Committee on the New Women's Prison. To advise the Minister on the unique requirements in the planning of a modern women's prison.	Prison Management at local and headquarters level. Chairperson of Council for the Status of Women. Chief Executive of the Emp	Representatives of the Office of Public Works.
	Representatives of the Office of Public Works.
Inter-Departmental Working Group on Air Support for the Garda Síochána. To examine the question of air support for the Garda Síochána.	Two officials — Department of Justice Two officials — Garda Síochána One official — Department of Finance One official — Department of Defence Two officials — Aer Lingus	No extraordinary resources/costs involved.	Group was set up in May '95. Completed its task and reported to the Minister for Justice 4 March '96.
Inter-Departmental Committee for the Castlerea Prison Project. To examine all aspects of the prison Project for Castlerea.	One official from the Department of Foreign Affairs Two officials from the Department of Justice One official from the Department of Finance	No extraordinary resources/costs involved.	Group set up in June '95. Reported to the Minister for Justice in September '95.
	One official from the Department of Health
	One official from the Department of Enterprise and Employment
	One official from the Department of Education
	One official from the Department of the Taoiseach
	Two officials from the Office of Public Works.
Inter-Departmental Group on European Union Action on Drugs.	Department of Justice official, Chairperson Representatives from the Departments of Justice, Health, Marine, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Education, Enterprise and Employment, the Taoiseach's Department, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Office of the Attorney General and the Garda Síochána.	Secretariat etc. services provided by my Department.	Group set up by the Government in May '95. Reported to the Government in April, '96.
Advisory Group on Charities set up to advise on proposed Charities Legislation	Ms Ita Mangan, Chairperson — Special Adviser to Ms Joan Burton, Minister of State at the Department of Justice.	Secretariat etc. services pro- vided by my Department	Established in March
	Mr. Stephen Farrelly — Director of Communi- cations and Fundraising
	Mr. Stephen Farrelly — Director of Communi- cations and Fundraising
	Ms Sarah Gormley
	Mr. Bill Cleary — Society of St. Vincent de Paul
	Mr. Roger Acton — Disability Federation of Ireland
	Ms Siobhan McGee — Dochas
	Ms Kate O'Sullivan — Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups
	Rev. Fr. John Byrne — Conference of Religious of Ireland
	Mr. John McCormack — National Charities in Ireland
Inter-Departmental Technical Group on Air Support for the Garda Síochána. To draw up specifications for aircraft and equipment to be purchased to provide air support for the Garda Síochána. (Purchase being made on foot of a Govern- ment decision to accept the recom- mendation of the `Inter-Depart- mental Working Group on Air Support for the Garda Síochána').	Two officials — Department of JusticeTwo officials — Garda SíochánaOne official — Department of FinanceOne official — Department of DefenceTwo officials — Aer Lingus	No extraordinary resources/ costs involved.	Group set up 23 April, '96. Work continuing.