Written Answers Nos. 142-147
142. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframe a local authority is required to keep housing applications in storage or on file after an application has been deemed closed because information to update a file was not submitted by the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7192/14]
View answerRegulation 12 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribes the timescales for the processing of applications by housing authorities for social housing support, including timescales for the submission by an applicant of any additional information requested by an authority. In order for an application to be processed by a housing authority, the application form must be fully completed and any necessary additional information submitted by the applicant within the prescribed timescale.
The Regulations do not set down timescales for the retention of an application for which additional information is not submitted as requested and which has been deemed closed by a housing authority. However, housing authorities should also have regard to the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 1988, as amended, which stipulate that data should not be kept longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it was obtained.
143. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding legislation to limit, restrict or remove firearms licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7126/14]
View answer149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding firearms legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6989/14]
View answer153. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding changes to firearms licensing legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 149 and 153 together.
My Department is currently examining key issues relating to firearms licensing in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive recommendations as a result of this process in due course. No decisions will be made in advance of consideration of these recommendations. However, the issue of public safety will be paramount in such consideration.
Opportunities for consultation with relevant stakeholders will be explored when work on the proposals is further advanced.
144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of provision of security by gardaí for flights carrying US troops through Shannon Airport in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7129/14]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Authorities that the cost to An Garda Síochána of security for Shannon airport was €862,574 in 2012 and €758,152 in 2013 comprising salaries and other pay and non-pay related expenditure.
145. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 22 October 2013, the number of members of An Garda Síochána and of the PSNI who have taken part in personnel exchanges for each year since 2005; and the timeframe each exchange lasted. [6969/14]
View answer146. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 22 October 2013, the rank of those members of An Garda Síochána and of the PSNI who have taken part in personnel exchanges for each year since 2005; and the timeframe each exchange lasted. [6970/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of members of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI who have taken part in personnel exchanges since 2005, was as set out in the following table.
|
Year |
AGS to PSNI (Duration) |
PSNI to AGS (Duration) |
|
2005 |
1 (2 months) |
1 (2 months) |
|
2006 |
3 (2 months) |
1 (2 months) |
|
2007 |
9 (2 months) |
11 (2 months) |
|
2008 |
17 (2 months) |
11 (2 months) |
|
2009 |
8 (2 months) 7 (1 month) |
7 (2 months) 4 (1 month) |
|
2010 |
15 (1 month) |
15 (1 month) |
|
2011 |
15 (1 month) |
16 (1 month) |
|
2012 |
9 (1 month) |
10 (1 month) |
|
2013 |
5 (1 month) |
1 (1 month) |
I have requested the additional information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.
147. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will issue a clarification regarding the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's non-compliance with its customer charter, specifically sections 1 to 4, inclusive, and 7 of that charter, which assures members of the public they will be provided with a prompt and comprehensive response to their communications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6982/14]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 established the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to receive complaints from members of the public concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána. The Act stipulates that the Ombudsman Commission is independent in the exercise of its functions. I have no role in the processing of individual complaints which are referred to the Ombudsman Commission for investigation.
