Written Answers Nos. 465-87
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Written Answers Nos. 465-87
465. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 2 May 2013, if he will confirm the latest annual report and accounts laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas for the Irish Film Classification Office and if he has any concerns regarding late reporting by the organisation. [22375/13]
View answerThe 2009 Annual Report which was the most recent Annual Report of the Irish Film Classification Office was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 18 February 2011.
I am advised by the Irish Film Classification Office that Annual Reports in respect of 2010, 2011 and 2012 will be submitted to my Department by end May 2013. The delay in respect of the Annual Reports for 2010 and 2011 was due to an oversight by that Office and is regretted. I am assured by the Irish Film Classification Office that no such delays will arise again in the future. As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 169 of 2 May 2013, the Annual Reports will be laid before the Houses of Oireachtas as soon as possible after they have been received by my Department.
466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in determination of eligibility to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22381/13]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order so therefore has no residency status in the State.
The person concerned claimed asylum in the State on 23 December 2004. Her application was refused following the consideration of her claim by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person concerned had her case examined under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended.
Under Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 20 May 2008, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why she should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Her application for Subsidiary Protection was considered and this was found not to be an issue in the State in accordance with the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 518 of 2006).
A Deportation Order was signed in respect of the person concerned on 21 February 2011, her four children also have Deportation Orders. The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the state and remain thereafter outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
467. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he has taken in relation to allegations which have been brought to his attention, that a company (details supplied) issued invoices to another company for the procurement of alcohol which was distributed to members of An Garda Síochána on the company's behalf. [22395/13]
View answerCorrespondence containing the allegations referred to was received in my Department recently and has been forwarded to the Garda Commissioner for his attention. I am informed however by the Garda authorities that these allegations were previously made to the District Officer at Belmullet in December 2011 and that enquiries conducted into the allegations found no evidence of alcohol being distributed to members of the Garda Síochána by or on behalf of the company named.
468. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to ensure that officials keep accurate visa statistics regarding the number of tourist visas being issued in the Beijing office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22418/13]
View answerThe Automated Visa Application Tracking System (AVATS), which is the system through which all visa applications are made on-line and processed, provides accurate statistics on all categories of visas worldwide. The Deputy may also wish to note that China is one of the seventeen countries covered by the Visa Waiver Programme which allows certain categories of visitor to the UK, including tourists, to travel on to Ireland without the need for an Irish visa. Central Statistics Office figures on trips to Ireland from various countries are used to extrapolate the uptake of the Programme.
469. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality under the MEI pilot programme, the number of visas that were issued to non-MEI schools; the exact number of visas issued and the number refused under the MEI pilot programme. [22419/13]
View answerSince 2011 the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service ( INIS ) has established pilot programmes in Turkey and China in partnership with Marketing English in Ireland ( MEI ). These pilot programmes, aimed at second level students and, separately, at third level students and executive level employees, have been put in place to help position Ireland as a high quality destination for English language students. These pilot programmes have now been extended for a further phase covering 2013 and 2014.
Approximately 100 applications for study under these programmes have been received at the INIS Visa Office in Beijing, China. Of these, about 75% were granted and 25% refused, with a few awaiting final decision. It is not possible to provide the detailed figures requested for applications received at the Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, nor for the number of students who have availed of these programmes from non-MEI member schools, as the relevant data is not held in a fashion which allows for such statistics to be readily compiled.
470. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the transport fleets for an Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22461/13]
View answerDecisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational demands and in the light of available resources. In that context I am advised by the Garda authorities that the strength of the Garda fleet at 1 May 2013 was 2,486 vehicles.
The Deputy will be aware that an additional €3 million was made available towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure a further 171 vehicles. This brought total investment in the Garda fleet in 2012 to €4 million and resulted in a total of 213 new vehicles being procured during the year. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the roll out of the most recently purchased patrol vehicles has been completed.
In addition to the investment provided in 2012, a specific allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in the current year. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to deliver an effective and efficient policing service.
471. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline any representations received from the Prison Officers' Association since 9 March 2011 regarding gangs and criminality in prisons; and the steps he has taken to address concerns raised. [22476/13]
View answerI am very aware of the concerns raised by the Prison Officers' Association regarding gangs and criminality in prisons, most recently at their Annual Delegate Conference earlier this month.
The emergence in recent years of criminal gangs has had significant implications for the management of Irish prisons. Rivalries and feuds which develop on the outside continue inside of prison. Prison management must ensure that the various factions are kept apart and, as far as possible, that gang members do not have influence over other inmates in the prisons or criminal activities on the outside.
Gang members are managed on a daily basis through segregation and separation throughout the prison system. Membership/allegiance of these criminal gangs fluctuates on a continuous basis with some persons breaking links and others becoming affiliated.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a number of initiatives have been introduced with a view to preventing identified gang leaders from conducting criminal activities while in custody and also to prevent them exerting inappropriate influence over other persons. For example, the security initiatives undertaken by the Operational Security Group (OSG) have made it more difficult for prisoners to engage in illegal activities while in prison. These initiatives include the introduction of passive and active drug detection dogs and the installation of airport style security including scanners and x-ray machines. Core functions of this group include gathering and collating intelligence information on criminal gang members in custody, carrying out intelligence led searches and preventing the flow of contraband (including mobile phones) into the prisons.
In addition, there is regular contact between the Prison Service and An Garda Síochána to discuss security issues including the operation of criminal gangs. Gardaí are also provided with reports detailing the release dates of this category of prisoner.
Furthermore, the Risk Management of Offenders Group within the Irish Prison Service, which is comprised of Governors of all closed prisons and the Governor of the Operational Support Group, meet on a regular basis to share intelligence and decide in a strategic and collaborative fashion on the placement of leading gang members across the prison estate, having regard to the associated protection issues involved.
472. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a written protocol that members of an Garda Síochána must follow in incidents of sudden death; if his attention has been drawn to any such protocols used by other police forces in other member states; if he considered implementing such practices here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22483/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the protocol for An Garda Síochána for dealing with situations of sudden death or deaths of unknown causes is set out in the Coroners Act 1962.
It is Garda policy to appoint a Family Liaison Officer to act as a liaison with the family of victims of murder, manslaughter, homicide, kidnapping, victims of fatal traffic collisions and in relation to crimes which result in life changing injuries or other crimes where the District Officer (Superintendent) deems it necessary to appoint a liaison officer.
The Family Liaison Officer will provide the immediate family with timely and accurate information on the progress of a Garda investigation.
The Deputy will appreciate that the detailed operational response and policing procedures in situations of sudden death are a matter for the Garda authorities, subject to the Coroners Act and other relevant legislation, as is the question of examination of operational practice in other jurisdictions.
473. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Ireland currently has any restrictions in place to prevent persons with serious criminal records travelling here either for a holiday or for a longer vacation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22487/13]
View answerThe Deputy of course will be aware that under the provisions of various EU legal instruments nationals of the EU Member States and the European Economic Area enjoy freedom of movement rights within the general area of the Union.
However, I can inform the Deputy that under section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004 an immigration officer may refuse to give permission to enter the State under certain circumstances, including where the non-national has been convicted of an offence that may be punished under the law of the place of conviction by imprisonment for a period of one year or by a more severe penalty. A non-national may also be refused permission to land or be in the State, if an immigration officer has reason to believe that the non-national's entry into, or presence in the State, could pose a threat to national security or be contrary to public policy and also where there is reason to believe that a non-national intends to enter the State for purposes other than that expressed by him/her.
As well as the legal requirement that non-nationals seek permission to enter the State on arrival at approved ports of entry, as part of the visa application process for visa required nationals additional checks are carried out as required with An Garda Síochána and other countries' immigration and police authorities. Checks are also carried out with the UK authorities in the context of maintaining the integrity of the Common Travel Area. Visa required nationals must also declare in their visa application if they have any criminal convictions in any country.
Furthermore, where any person who is not a citizen of Ireland or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who is resident in the State, is known or suspected to have engaged in criminal activity, An Garda Síochána may provide relevant information to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) for the purpose of consideration being given to initiating a process for the purpose of arranging for their removal from the State pursuant to section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 or, if the person is an EU national, pursuant to Regulation 20 of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006.
474. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any arrangements in place to provide for the expunging of minor convictions for persons who wish to take up offers of employment overseas. [22493/13]
View answerThere are no provisions in Irish law for the removal of records from a person's criminal record. However, the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012, which is awaiting Report State in the Dáil, seeks to establish a means by which adults convicted of minor offences will, subject to certain conditions, not be required to disclose those convictions in the likes of job applications etc.
The application of the Bill is, of course, limited to the State as the disclosure requirements for entry to, and employment in, another state are a matter for the relevant authorities of that state.
Section 258 of the Children Act 2001 already provides a ‘non-disclosure’ regime for child offenders after a 3 year conviction–free period. Again, its application is limited to the State.
475. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the method by which he proposes to appoint two new Supreme Court judges to alleviate the backlog of Supreme Court cases that are waiting to be heard; if he has considered the effects of the movement for eight to ten Supreme Court judges that it will have on constitutional jurisprudence; if upon a successful referendum for the set-up of the civic courts of appeal, if over time, he will consider the size of the Supreme Court to naturally fall back to eight members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22497/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government recently approved the drafting of a new legal provision to facilitate the appointment of an additional two judges as an interim measure in order to tackle the lengthy waiting times in the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeal. I brought this proposal to Government following consultations between the Chief Justice, the Attorney General and myself at which all aspects of the measure were considered. The necessary legislative amendment will be brought forward in the Courts Bill 2013 which I anticipate will be enacted before the summer recess.
Judges are appointed by the President on the advice of the Government. Such appointments are dealt with by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board which was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. It should be noted that section 17 of the same Act provides that the Board's procedures shall not apply where the Government propose to advise the President to appoint a serving judge.
The increase in the number of Supreme Court judges will be implemented as soon as the Courts Bill 2013 is enacted. Moreover, a Referendum on a proposed Constitutional Amendment to establish a Court of Appeal will take place in the Autumn. I intend to consult further with interested parties, including colleagues in Government and the judiciary, before deciding on the optimal number of judges to be appointed to the new Court of Appeal and on the future shape of the Supreme Court. I do not wish to prejudge the outcome of those consultations. However, it is anticipated that the number of Supreme Court judges would decrease somewhat as the existing backlog is dealt with.
476. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in the determination of an application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22644/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 513 on Tuesday, 12 February, 2013, copied beneath. The position remains unchanged.
The individuals referred to currently have visa applications under consideration. The visa applications were received in the Visa Office, Dublin on the 5 November 2012. They were referred to the Visa Office in Abuja for processing, as the individuals concerned are currently resident in Nigeria. Preliminary assessments of the applications have been completed and the reference in Ireland has been contacted requesting further documentation. Cases of this type are dealt with in chronological order and comprehensive examination of the applications referred to will take place in due course.
The actual processing time for dealing with such applications can vary depending on the particular circumstances of each individual case and the type of investigation required. The nature of the applications referred to by the Deputy require more in depth consideration than straightforward 'visit' visas.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
477. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the victims of crime are left waiting for long periods under the criminal injury compensation scheme; if he has any plans to improve this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications for compensation under the Scheme and is also responsible for the administration of the Scheme.
Under the terms of paragraph 6 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Tribunal is obliged to determine applications and to award ex-gratia compensation "on the basis of damages awarded under the Civil Liability Acts" and each case is addressed on the basis of its individual circumstances. While applications are processed with the minimum of formality, as compared with court proceedings where compensation is being claimed under the Civil Liability Acts, the administrative arrangements of the Tribunal are operated on an informal basis, in keeping with an underlying principle of the Scheme. Notwithstanding this, in making their decisions Tribunal members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation submitted is in order. In some cases there can be delays pending the availability of all required documentation.
In line with other public bodies the Tribunal must operate within current economic constraints. Regardless, the Tribunal continues to process claims as efficiently as possible within the constraints it faces.
478. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person will not receive the payment awarded under the criminal injury compensation scheme for 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22705/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications under the Scheme. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter I have had enquiries made with the Tribunal on your behalf.
I understand that the Tribunal award referred to by the Deputy issued under covering letter dated 22 March, 2013, wherein it was stated that the Tribunal's funding for the payment of compensation during 2013 was already fully committed and that it would not be possible to pay the award at the present time.
I further understand that the applicant accepted the award on this understanding on 23 March, 2013. The Tribunal has confirmed that payment of this award will proceed in 2014.
479. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons awaiting payment under the criminal injury compensation scheme; the length of time each person is waiting for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of applications that fall to be considered by the Tribunal.
I understand from the Tribunal that all information relating to applications is confidential and that no information can be released that might serve to identify an individual applicant. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter the Tribunal has furnished the following table detailing the dates awards were accepted and the number of outstanding payments as of 29 April, 2013.
|
Month Award Accepted |
Number of Outstanding Payments |
|
March 2012 |
3 |
|
April 2012 |
6 |
|
May 2012 |
11 |
|
June 2012 |
18 |
|
July 2012 |
16 |
|
August 2012 |
6 |
|
September 2012 |
5 |
|
October 2012 |
11 |
|
November 2012 |
9 |
|
December 2012 |
16 |
|
January 2013 |
19 |
|
February 2013 |
27 |
|
March 2013 |
11 |
|
April 2013 |
23 |
I refer to Question No. 477 from the Deputy which was also tabled for response today and which sets out the reasons why final payments may be delayed in some cases. The Deputy may also wish to note that, in addition, a small number of outstanding partial payments will be made early next year.
480. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the timeframe it takes to process an application for a firearm certificate and the timeframe after the application has been lodged that it actually takes to issue the licence/certificate; if he will further confirm if out of date certificates are being issued in respect of applications which are taking in excess of 12 months to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22742/13]
View answerI have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report on this matter and will write to the Deputy when it becomes available.
481. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Charities Act covers the regulation of Irish charities' clothing banks; the way he intends to combat the increased amount of criminal activity connected to charity clothing collections and clothing banks; if the introduction of a charities regulatory authority could address this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22758/13]
View answerThe Charities Act 2009 was enacted to provide for the better regulation of charities in Ireland in order to ensure greater accountability and to protect against abuse of charitable status and fraud. To support the achievement of these aims, the Act provides for the establishment of an independent Charities Regulatory Authority.
I am aware of the recent Prime Time programme which reported, amongst other things, on the issue of theft from charity clothing banks. Theft is an offence contrary to section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. A person convicted upon indictment of theft is liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or an unlimited fine.
I am also concerned about the reported practice of some collectors of clothing who convey the impression in their promotional literature that they are collecting on behalf of a charity, when this may not actually be the case. This may lead some people to donate to such collections in the belief that they are supporting a charity and helping to alleviate hardship. This is unfair both to donors whose intention in donating such items is to help those in need, and to bona fide charities that may lose out on donations as a result. It is an offence under section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 to make gain or cause loss to others by deception.
In addition to these existing measures under the Criminal Justice Acts, while the Charities Act 2009 does not deal directly with the regulation of Irish charity clothing banks or collections, it does contain measures aimed at preventing the abuse of charitable status. Under section 46 of the Charities Act, it is an offence for an organisation that is not a registered charity to describe itself or its activities in such terms as would cause members of the public to reasonably believe that it is a charitable organisation. This section cannot be commenced until the statutory Register of Charities, also provided for under the Charities Act, is in place.
While further implementation of the Charities Act and creation of the Register of Charities have been delayed for financial reasons, the Government remains committed to progressing the implementation of the Act and putting in place a dedicated regulatory framework for charities in line with the provisions of the Act. My Department has been examining how best this can be done in the current financial climate. As part of this work, my Department recently undertook a consultation on key issues, including the creation of the Register of Charities. The submissions received are currently being reviewed and I look forward to publishing the results in due course and giving a further indication of the Government's timeframe for the introduction of an operational Charities Regulatory Authority and full implementation of the Charities Act 2009.
482. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22793/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of staff of my Department and agencies under its aegis is set out in the following table. The figures are based on annual gross salary and do not include allowances or overtime. The salary bands include staff employed on both a full-time and a work-sharing basis.
|
Salary Bands |
Number of persons (whole time equivalents) |
|
Less than €20,000 |
132.19 |
|
€20,001 to €30,000 |
1,022.75 |
|
€30,001 to €40,000 |
1,823.47 |
|
€40,001 to €50,000 |
2,700.03 |
|
€50,001 to €60,000 |
673.56 |
|
€60,001 to €70,000 |
269.30 |
|
€70,001 to €80,000 |
254.20 |
|
€80,001 to €90,000 |
119 |
|
€90,001 to €100,000 |
84.90 |
|
€100,000 to €125,000 |
69 |
|
€125,001 to €150,000 |
39 |
|
€150,001 to €175,000 |
7 |
|
€175,001 to €200,000 |
2 |
|
€200,001 to €250,000 |
0 |
|
€250,001 to €300,000 |
0 |
|
€300,001 to €350,000 |
0 |
|
€350,001 to €400,000 |
0 |
|
€400,001 to €450,000 |
0 |
|
€450,001 to €500,000 |
0 |
|
over €500,000 |
0 |
The figures above represent staff of my Department, agencies staffed by my Department and agencies that are responsible for their own recruitment such as the Legal Aid Board, Property Registration Authority, Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Irish Prison Service, Irish Human Rights Commission, Courts Service and the National Disability Authority. Information on the salary band breakdown for An Garda Síochána is not to hand and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.
483. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way he is engaging with the Association of Garda Sargeants and Inspectors in relation to the LRC revised pay proposals that are currently being negotiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/13]
View answerDiscussions on an extension of the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014 (the Croke Park Agreement) concluded with the Garda associations, including AGSI, on Sunday 12 May 2013. The Deputy will appreciate that the proposals agreed in principle during these discussions must now be ratified by the associations and that, in those circumstances, I do not propose to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
I would, however, like to place on record my appreciation for the officers of the Labour Relations Commission and all those who took part in the discussions for their efforts in securing an agreed set of proposals which will, I believe, make a significant contribution to the challenges facing us at this time.
484. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political-ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisers, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22879/13]
View answerOvertime paid to Ministerial Appointees for the period 2007 to 2013.
|
Minister |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Frank Fahey, Minister of State (29th Dail) |
Staff |
1 |
||||||
|
Cost |
€807 |
|||||||
|
Minister Brian Lenihan, (30th Dail) |
Staff |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
Cost |
€14,228 |
€16,134 |
||||||
|
Conor Lenihan, Minister of State |
Staff |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
Cost |
€2,034 |
€8,700 |
||||||
|
Minister Dermot Ahern (30th Dail) |
Staff |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
Cost |
€7,032 |
€8,706 |
||||||
|
Minister Alan Shatter (31st Dail) |
Staff |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
Cost |
€5,595 |
€6,128 |
485. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any progress has been made or if any matters have recently arisen regarding changing the daylight saving time system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/13]
View answerI wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 39 of 24 October, 2012 as follows and to inform him that there have no developments since then in relation to changing our current time zone arrangements.
______________________
Question No. 39 of 24 October, 2012
To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 10 and 16 of 32 June 2011, if he will report any developments or discussions that have occurred since with either his British or European counterparts and arising from this, if he will seek submissions from the public and organisations and State Departments on the implications, benefits or disadvantages to Ireland if our time zone was changed to European time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Answer
I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has not held discussions with either our British or other European counterparts in relation to changing our time zone since June 2011.
I can further inform the Deputy that a report entitled Review of the scope, quality and robustness of available evidence regarding putting the clocks forward by one hour, the year round, in the UK was prepared for the United Kingdom's Department for Business Innovation & Skills and published on that Department's website on 13 August, 2012. The report may be accessed via the following link (http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/r/12-1036-review-evidence-putting-clocks-forward).
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no plans at this time to seek submissions from the public and organisations and State Departments on the implications, benefits or disadvantages to Ireland in relation to changing our time zone to "European time". However, officials of my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs are keeping a close watch on the issue and should the position I have outlined change I will review the situation.
486. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce a national identity card; if officials in his Department have engaged with other Departments regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22908/13]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that I have no plans at this time to introduce a national identity card system and, accordingly, the question of consultations with other Departments on this matter does not arise.
487. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost incurred to the Irish State, if any, for the recent visit to Ireland by the Duke of Kent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23032/13]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote. In that context I am informed by the Garda authorities that costings in relation to the visit referred to by the Deputy are not readily available and that they could not be compiled without a disproportionate use of resources which are required for other Garda purposes.
