Written Answers Nos. 1006 - 1023
1006. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on discussions held in Vilnius, Lithuania at the informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs, JHA, Council of Ministers in July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37017/13]
View answerI attended the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council in Vilnius on 18-19 July at which ministers discussed a range of issues relating to immigration and asylum, the Syrian refugee crisis, cybersecurity, data protection reform and the future development of the Justice and Home Affairs area. The debate on each of these topics is summarised as follows.
Immigration and Asylum
The first item discussed was the Commission’s fourth Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum which sets out the main developments in this area at EU level and within Member States. Ministers were asked to discuss a number of questions, viz : how the EU’s migration policies could best assist economic recovery and growth and how the contribution of migrants could be maximised; whether greater intra-EU mobility opportunities for third country nationals could help to ensure a workforce that is better able to respond to market needs; and what the Council’s priorities should be in light of the report's findings.
There was general agreement that while legal migration - and particularly that of highly qualified workers - should be promoted, the existing labour force in the EU should also be utilised to the maximum extent. It was emphasised that EU migration policy should be based on labour market needs. Ministers also agreed on the importance of concluding negotiations on the several 'live' proposals concerning legal migration.
In the asylum area, ministers welcomed the agreement that the Irish Presidency had brokered on the Common European Asylum System. It was also agreed that solidarity between Member States should be further encouraged, and that an effective returns policy, including the proper implementation of existing readmission agreements, should be ensured by all parties.
Syria
The next item discussed was the situation of persons displaced to neighbouring countries as a result of the conflict in Syria. Ministers expressed deep concern at this humanitarian crisis and welcomed the Commission’s initiative of developing a Regional Protection Programme and a comprehensive assistance package. It was agreed that the resettlement of refugees, while important, should not be the sole means of alleviating the crisis and that the neighbouring countries should receive additional supports. Ministers also agreed that Syrian refugees who have already entered the EU should, in comparable situations, be assessed in the same way in all Member States.
Cybersecurity
Discussion on this topic acknowledged the huge benefits of digital technology but also the increasing rate of cybersecurity incidents which pose a threat to EU governments, businesses and citizens. Ministers were asked to discuss how co-operation could be strengthened to prevent such incidents, and what measures could be taken to enhance the capacity of law enforcement authorities to tackle this scourge. Ministers welcomed the debate as timely and expressed strong support for an integrated approach to include improved information-sharing, training, and strategic partnerships with the private sector, with third countries and with other key stakeholders. The importance of co-ordinated actions was emphasised along with the need for concrete measures to improve co-operation, including examining the issue of criminal sanctions.
Future development of the JHA area
Discussions on this topic focused on the successor to the Stockholm Programme, which ends in 2014. Ministers were asked to debate the changes in the area of freedom, security and justice since the adoption of the Stockholm Programme in 2009; which strategic priorities should be identified for the next multi-annual programme; and which principles should guide this work (including whether the policy and financial cycles should be aligned).
Ministers agreed, inter alia, that the next programme should be strategic in focus and avoid a long catalogue of actions; should provide for fast and effective responses to crisis situations; should build on lessons learned from the current programme; and should be linked to the budgetary cycle. It was considered that relevant agencies should also be consulted.
Data Protection reform
Finally, Ministers debated the role of the European Data Protection Board as provided for in the draft Data Protection Regulation. There was broad support for the proposed Board as one of the main vehicles for achieving a more coherent and streamlined application of data protection standards across the Union. However, it was concluded that the Board's powers should be the subject of further deliberations at Council Working Party level.
1009. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will facilitate the extension of a stamp 3 visa in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37054/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to Dáil Question No 200 of 24 April 2013. I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy currently has a De Facto application pending with INIS. A decision will issue on her case in the coming weeks. 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.
1010. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of silent SMS messages the Garda or any agency under his remit have instructed providers to send in the past three years and by network provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37067/13]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice and would be contrary to public interest to comment on operational matters of significance to national security. However, there is a comprehensive legislative regime in place to deal with matters such as the interception of telecommunications and the retention of communications related data. With regard to interceptions, the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 provides for the interception of postal and telecommunications messages. Under Section 2 of the Act, Ministerial authorisation may be given for interceptions solely in the interests of the security of the State or for the purpose of criminal investigation. Such authorisations are only issued following application from the Garda Commissioner or the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, in accordance with the Act.
The 2011 Communications (Retention of Data) Act provides for access to traffic data, location data and subscriber data. An application for such data may be made by a member of An Garda Síochána not below the rank of Chief Superintendent to a service provider where the data concerned is required in the context of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of a serious offence, the security of the State or the saving of human life. The content of calls, texts etc are not disclosed under this Act. A senior officer of the Defence Forces may apply for such data where the data concerned is required in the context of the security of the State and a senior officer of the Revenue Commissioners may apply for data in relation to the investigation of certain revenue offences.
Both statutory schemes are subject to judicial oversight. Both the 1993 and 2011 Acts provide for the appointment of a High Court Judge to carry out reviews of their operation and the relevant reports to An Taoiseach are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. In addition, the Acts provide for a procedure whereby a member of the public who believes their communications have been intercepted or that their personal data has been accessed (whichever the case may be) may make a complaint to a "Complaints Referee". The current Complaints Referee is a judge of the Circuit Court.
1011. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite an application for stamp 4 status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/13]
View answerThis person concerned arrived in the State on 17 May 2010 and has permission to remain until 16 July 2014 on Stamp 2A conditions. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the conditions attaching to this stamp are appropriate to the person's circumstances in the State. The INIS will respond shortly in relation to the person's stamp 4 request. 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.
1012. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37079/13]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the application has entered the final stage of processing and I intend to grant citizenship. A letter has issued to the person referred to by the Deputy asking her to submit the prescribed fee and other documents. Upon receipt of the fee and documentation, the case will be finalised. The person concerned will be invited in due course to attend a citizenship ceremony, at which she will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive her certificate of naturalisation.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically 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.
1013. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for residency status-naturalisation or both in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37081/13]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned arrived in the State on 22 August 2008 and applied for asylum on 29 August 2008. The Refugee Applications Commissioner recommended refusal of her application for refugee status. This decision was subsequently upheld on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. A daughter was born to the person concerned on 18 November 2008 and an application for asylum was made on her behalf on 9 December 2008. The Refugee Applications Commissioner recommended that she be refused a declaration of refugee status and this decision was also subsequently upheld on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person concerned and her daughter were notified that they were not eligible for subsidiary protection on 23 June 2009. Having considered all representations on file, the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform signed Deportation Orders on 24 June 2009 in respect of the person concerned and her daughter. On 14 June 2010 Judicial Review proceedings were lodged in the High Court challenging the decisions taken, including the Deportation Orders, in respect of the person concerned and her daughter and, accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further.
With regards to whether the Zambrano case has application in this case, the daughter of the person concerned is not, under the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), an Irish citizen, nor is she a citizen of the European Union. Therefore, the decision in that case has no application to the person concerned or her daughter.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
1014. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for permission to remain in the State in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/13]
View answerThe persons concerned are a husband and wife who entered the State on separate dates in 2005, as students, and were granted permission to remain until 23rd November, 2006 and 22nd February, 2006 respectively. They have remained in the State without permission since then. Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the persons concerned were notified, by separate letters dated 2nd February, 2009, that the then Minister proposed to make deportation orders in respect of them. They were each 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 written representations to the then Minister setting out the reasons why they should not have deportation orders made against them. Representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned.
The position in the State of the persons concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before final decisions are made. Once decisions have been made, these decisions, and the consequences of the decisions, will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned.
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.
1015. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the savings to the State which it is anticipated will arise from the proposed closure of the courthouses at Ballyhaunis and Swinford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/13]
View answer1016. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a cost benefit analysis regarding the decision by the Court Service to close the Courthouses at Ballyhaunis and Swinford and transfer the administration and sittings to the District Court Office, Castlebar and the courthouse in Castlebar respectively to include an analysis of the cost of the hours Ballyhaunis and Swinford gardaí might be expected to now spend in Castlebar for District Court sittings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/13]
View answer1017. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the significance the Courts Service places on lack of availability of public transport for persons when deciding to close courthouses in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37087/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1015 to 1017, inclusive, together. I wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of accommodation for court sittings.
I am informed that the Courts Service in considering any venue for closure undertakes a cost analysis exercise which includes an assessment of the costs associated with the holding of court sittings in a court venue over a 12 month period. I am informed that while the assessment would not cover the cost of the number of hours Gardaí from Swinford and Ballyhaunis would be expected to spend in Castlebar Court for District Court sittings, the cost analysis includes an assessment of the net Garda travel and subsistence costs based on Garda attendances at the venue identified for closure when compared with the proposed alternative venue calculated over the number of sittings held over a period of 3 months and extrapolated over a 12 month period; the travel and subsistence costs for courts staff attending the identified venue when compared with the alternative venue; the travel and subsistence costs for the permanently assigned Judge to the relevant District; additional legal aid costs arising from the holding of the court sittings over the 3 month period extrapolated over a 12 month period and operational costs associated with the identified venue over a 12 month period e.g. Courthouses maintenance, light, heat & fuel.
I am informed that the closure of Swinford Courthouse would yield estimated annual savings of €7,598 for the Courts Service, while the net exchequer savings will amount to €3,206 per annum. The closure of Ballyhaunis Courthouse would yield estimated annual savings of €5,148 for the Courts Service, while the net exchequer savings will amount to €1,325 per annum. Additionally, as part of the detailed assessment undertaken, the Office of Public Works were requested to undertake an assessment of the condition of both Swinford and Ballyhaunis Courthouses. I am informed that their report indicated that Swinford required immediate remedial works at a cost of circa €60,000 with an equivalent cost of circa €134,000 for Ballyhaunis. Their report also indicated that both Courthouses would require further works in a 3 – 5 year time period at a total estimated cost of €170,000.
As you are aware, during the course of 2012 the Courts Service completed a comprehensive review of all venues throughout the country. The purpose of this review was to establish a framework within which venues could be considered for closure taking account of a range of criteria such as caseload, proximity to an alternative venue, physical condition of the building, availability of cells etc. Each venue identified for consideration for closure was the subject of a detailed assessment and the preparation of a business case. During this assessment and the preparation of the business case, the question of the availability or otherwise of public transport between the identified venues and the proposed alternative venues was considered. This methodology was followed in the case of both Swinford and Ballyhaunis. The Building Committee and the Courts Service Board were informed that there was a limited public transport service between Swinford/Ballyhaunis and Castlebar. Additionally the issue of public transport between both venues and Castlebar was specifically referenced in some submissions made to the Courts Service during the assessment process and I am informed that a copy of every submission/representation received was circulated to each member of the board in advance of the meeting on 1st July 2013 when the Courts Service Board made the decision to close both Swinford and Ballyhaunis Courthouses.
1018. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of an application for subsidiary protection in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37103/13]
View answerThe person concerned is a failed asylum applicant. Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 29th November, 2011, 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 written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for subsidiary protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for subsidiary protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome. In the event that the application for subsidiary protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a decision has been made, this decision, and the consequences of the decision, will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
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.
1019. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering introducing a deduction at source facility for welfare recipients who have incurred court fines. [37105/13]
View answerThe Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013 was published on 19 July last. The Bill does not provide for the recovery of fines by the attachment of social welfare payments. However, it does provide for the imposition of community service orders where a person fails to pay a fine and the court is of the view that it would not be appropriate to make either an attachment order or a recovery order. The Bill also provides for an enhanced instalment payment regime which will allow everyone on whom a fine is imposed to pay the fine by instalments over 12 months.
1020. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review a visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37106/13]
View answerThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Abuja on 15 November 2012. Following full consideration, the Visa Officer decided to refuse the grant of the visa on 25 March 2013. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the application was not appealed within 60 days ( the requisite time-frame in which an appeal must be submitted ) of the refusal date. It is now open to the person concerned to make a fresh application, should they so wish. Guidance information as to the visa application process (including a link to the on-line application form) can be found on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website – (www.inis.gov.ie ). It should be borne in mind however that the information contained on the website is intended to act as a guideline only. As every visa applicant and their family circumstances are unique, it is impossible to be completely prescriptive about the type of supporting information that should be supplied.
1021. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the status of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/13]
View answerThe Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013 was published on 11 September. I am looking forward to progressing the legislation through the Oireachtas shortly with a view to its early enactment.
1022. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide current figures detailing the total deployment of gardaí for the Wicklow division in the eastern region, divided down into districts, sub-districts and stations across the county in view of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies as set down by the Garda Commissioner; if he will provide figures in tabular form and compare them with 2011 and 2012 figures for the same Wicklow division, districts, sub-districts and stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37121/13]
View answerThe 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 Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. I have however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of every Garda Station and District in the Wicklow Division broken down by rank on 31 August 2011, 2012 and 2013 is set out in the following table.
2011
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
WICKLOW |
BALTINGLASS |
BALTINGLASS |
28 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
36 |
||
|
BLESSINGTON |
15 |
2 |
17 |
||||||
|
CARNEW |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
DONARD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
DUNLAVIN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
HOLLYWOOD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
SHILLELAGH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TINAHELY |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
BALTINGLASS Total |
53 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
64 |
||||
|
BRAY |
BRAY |
104 |
16 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
127 |
||
|
ENNISKERRY |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
GREYSTONES |
30 |
5 |
35 |
||||||
|
NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
BRAY Total |
142 |
23 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
172 |
|||
|
WICKLOW |
ARKLOW |
30 |
4 |
1 |
35 |
||||
|
ASHFORD |
9 |
2 |
11 |
||||||
|
AUGHRIM |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
AVOCA |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
RATHDRUM |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
ROUNDWOOD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
WICKLOW |
41 |
6 |
1 |
48 |
|||||
|
WICKLOW Total |
91 |
15 |
2 |
108 |
|||||
|
WICKLOW Total |
286 |
47 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
344 |
2012
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Gda |
Sgt |
Insp |
Supt |
C/Supt |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
WICKLOW |
BALTINGLASS |
BALTINGLASS |
29 |
5 |
1 |
35 |
|||
|
BLESSINGTON |
16 |
2 |
18 |
||||||
|
CARNEW |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
DONARD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
DUNLAVIN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
HOLLYWOOD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
SHILLELAGH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TINAHELY |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
BALTINGLASS Total |
55 |
8 |
1 |
64 |
|||||
|
BRAY |
BRAY |
100 |
16 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
123 |
||
|
ENNISKERRY |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
GREYSTONES |
31 |
4 |
35 |
||||||
|
NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
BRAY Total |
139 |
22 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
168 |
|||
|
WICKLOW |
ARKLOW |
29 |
4 |
1 |
34 |
||||
|
ASHFORD |
7 |
2 |
10 |
||||||
|
AUGHRIM |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
AVOCA |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
RATHDRUM |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
ROUNDWOOD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
WICKLOW |
40 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
48 |
||||
|
WICKLOW Total |
87 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
104 |
||||
|
WICKLOW Total |
281 |
44 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
336 |
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Gda |
Sgt |
Insp |
Supt |
C/Supt |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
WICKLOW |
BALTINGLASS |
BALTINGLASS |
28 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
34 |
||
|
BLESSINGTON |
18 |
3 |
21 |
||||||
|
CARNEW |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
DUNLAVIN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
SHILLELAGH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TINAHELY |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
BALTINGLASS Total |
54 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
64 |
||||
|
BRAY |
BRAY |
102 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
124 |
||
|
ENNISKERRY |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
GREYSTONES |
29 |
3 |
32 |
||||||
|
NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
BRAY Total |
139 |
21 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
166 |
|||
|
WICKLOW |
ARKLOW |
29 |
5 |
1 |
35 |
||||
|
ASHFORD |
5 |
2 |
8 |
||||||
|
AUGHRIM |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
AVOCA |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
RATHDRUM |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
ROUNDWOOD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
WICKLOW |
39 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
47 |
||||
|
WICKLOW Total |
84 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
102 |
||||
|
WICKLOW Total |
277 |
44 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
332 |
1023. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on legislative consolidation and the whole Statute Book, in view of the time-consuming nature of trying to follow numerous amendment to Acts of the Oireachtas; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that several large law firms in the State operate internal systems to consolidate legislation; if he believes the current legal code for both the legal profession and those seeking access to justice and law are hampered with the current system; whether he believes consolidated legislation across the board would generate, in the long run, significant savings and efficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/13]
View answerThe position is that the Law Reform Commission commenced work on a major statute law restatement project in 2007. Following publication of its initial Consultation Paper on Statute Law Restatement (LRC CP 45-2007), it published a Report on Statute Law Restatement in 2008 (LRC 91-2008). Since then, two programmes of statute law restatement, involving more than 110 restatements, have already been completed and are available on the Commission's web site (www.lawreform.ie). The Commission intends to ensure that restatements are kept up-to-date on an ongoing basis.
