Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:178. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding gambling controls. [54673/13]
View answerGambling Legislation
Questions (178)
Written answers
The correspondence referred to by the Deputy raises two matters. First, it alleges breaches of the criminal law in a foreign jurisdiction. As the Deputy will understand, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the allegation.
The second matter, however, is one I am addressing by way of new legislation, namely the regulation of gambling, including remote gambling.
The correspondence refers to that new legislation. The Gambling Control Bill will update all existing laws on the regulation of betting and gaming (other than the National Lottery). The Government approved the General Scheme in July this year. The Scheme has also been considered by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and the Committee's Report has been published.
The Bill will confer all responsibility for all regulatory matters on the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Minister's functions will include licensing, inspections, prosecutions and they will be carried out by a body located within my Department. There will be a dedicated inspectorate to ensure compliance by licence holders with the terms of their licence and with the new legislation generally.
The Bill will facilitate cooperation between our authorities and their counterparts abroad, thereby making it very difficult for those operators trying to avoid detection and follow-up actions.
I intend to take full advantage of this opportunity to upgrade our out-dated systems and to reflect best practice, including in matters of governance. My aim is to give all consumers a high level of protection but I will be paying close attention, in particular, to measures to protect the vulnerable, including the young. I believe that robust systems will also attract reputable companies and I would expect to see some of them locate some or all of their back-room operations here.
I hope to publish the Bill next autumn.
Residency Permits
Questions (179)
Finian McGrath
Question:179. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [54719/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person concerned entered the State on 8th July, 2006 and was granted permission to remain until 28th November, 2012, on student conditions. The person concerned has remained in the State since that latter date without permission. Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 11th December, 2013, of the proposal 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 setting out the reasons why she should not have a Deportation Order made against her.
The position in the State of the person concerned will 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. Any representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a final 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 of my Department 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.
Garda Investigations
Questions (180)
Finian McGrath
Question:180. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will take to support residents (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [54724/13]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána provides full support to communities in relation to all policing issues and that matters such as the very serious one referred to by the Deputy are thoroughly investigated. I have requested a report on the specific matter referred to from the Garda Commissioner and I will contact the Deputy directly when this is to hand.
Financial Services Regulation
Questions (181)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:181. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to force banks and credit card companies, as part of their strategy to reduce credit card fraud and theft, to text the card holder after each transaction, thus making them aware instantly that their card has been used or abused. [54736/13]
View answerWritten answers
As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate the question posed raises issues that would need to be considered in the context of the regulation of financial transactions.
The issue might therefore be more appropriate for consideration in the first instance by my colleague the Minister for Finance.
I can, however, inform the Deputy that I have no proposals in this regard.
Ministerial Advisers Remuneration
Questions (182)
Billy Kelleher
Question:182. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the names of and amount by which each programme manager-special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54755/13]
View answerWritten answers
In my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality I have appointed two Special Advisors. They are both paid at the Principal Officer standard scale. I have made no requests for salary increases for either individual and the only changes to their salaries have been by way of normal incremental progression. The salaries of my Special Advisors are in accordance with the applicable pay scales as set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in June 2013.
Defence Forces Personnel
Questions (183)
John Browne
Question:183. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Defence if he will investigate a claim by a parent of a person (details supplied) serving in the Irish Defence Forces that he is constantly getting harassed and discriminated against by senior army officials. [54651/13]
View answerWritten answers
Section 114 of the Defence Acts 1954 - 2011 provides that any member of the Defence Forces, who consider themselves to have been wronged in any matter, may make a complaint and have it investigated. Where a wrong is proven, redress is offered to the complainant. In the event that the complainant is unhappy with the internal military investigations or with the proposed redress, he or she can have their complaint forwarded to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.
I am advised by the military authorities that they have not received a complaint from the person referred to by the Deputy, either verbally or in writing. However, if the individual were to submit a complaint this will be investigated in accordance with Section 114 of the Defence Acts.
Defence Forces Medicinal Products
Questions (184)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:184. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will publish details of the medical risk assessment carried out by the Defence Forces in relation to the use of Lariam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54674/13]
View answerWritten answers
Much of the information relevant to the answer to this question has already been given by me last Wednesday in the Dáil in answering your similar question.
As I stated in my reply, I am informed by the military authorities that risk assessments are carried out for all mission areas and suitable control measures are put in place to minimise identified risks. Where a health risk is identified the control measures will include preventative medication where appropriate. Where malaria has been identified as a risk, the choice of chemoprophylaxis is dependent on a number of factors including the type of malaria in the destination, resistance to particular drugs, the profile of the traveller (contra-indications, underlying health conditions, purpose of travel), the duration of travel and adherence issues. The choice of medication is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces on the basis of best international practice having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Defence Forces.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Medicines Board is the statutory authority with responsibility for the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines for use in Ireland. The Defence Forces’ Medical Corps complies with its guidelines on the prescription of medicines, including Lariam. As I stated in last Wednesday’s reply, I am advised that Lariam is one of the most effective medications for protection against the type of malaria prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. It continues to be licensed by the Irish Medicines Board. The Defence Forces are fully aware of the range of reported side effects attaching to all anti-malarial medications. I am advised that protocols are in place to control the risk of side effects in individuals.
The Defence Forces follow best international practice in prescribing Lariam. It is the policy of the Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability, i.e. a medical risk assessment for Lariam is carried out on an individual basis. This is intended to rule out personnel from overseas service with certain conditions, e.g. depression, anxiety, pregnancy, neuro-degenerative disorders etc. which, as has been indicated by the Irish Medicines Board, are more likely to precipitate serious adverse reactions to Lariam. This medical risk assessment is particular to an individual, forms part of the individual’s medical record and is not, therefore, publishable.
As I stated in last Wednesday’s response, Malaria is a serious disease that kills approximately 1 million people per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area and Lariam must remain in the formulary of medication prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risk posed by this highly dangerous disease.
Ministerial Advisers Remuneration
Questions (185)
Billy Kelleher
Question:185. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Defence the names of and amount by which each programme manager-special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54748/13]
View answerWritten answers
I have not appointed a programme manager or special advisor in my capacity as Minister for Defence. I have engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. The annual salary attached to this post is €56,060 which is in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure & Reform guidelines for Ministerial appointments.