Written Answers Nos. 160-165
160. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of ongoing Garda recruitment, if any consideration is being given to the experience of Garda Reserve personnel as part of the recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. These regulations provide for the giving, as part of the competitive selection process organised by the Public Appointments Service for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, of "due recognition to any satisfactory service by the person as a reserve member". This provision was introduced in order to acknowledge the beneficial experience and skills gained by a reserve member and to allow them the opportunity to highlight that experience and skill during the selection process.
161. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will set out in tabular form the annual figures for ministerial decisions made to revoke refugee status since 2005, alongside the annual figures for successful appeals of those decisions since 2005; if he will set out categories showing his reasons for those decisions since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9747/14]
View answerThe number of cases considered for revocation and the number of cases revoked in each of the years in questions is set out in the following table.
|
YEAR |
NUMBER REVOKED |
|
2005 |
4 |
|
2006 |
3 |
|
2007 |
3 |
|
2008 |
6 |
|
2009 |
14 |
|
2010 |
21 |
|
2011 |
26 |
|
2012 |
30 |
|
2013 |
9 |
|
2014 To date |
7 |
The majority of revocation cases relate to the applicant providing false and misleading information. In other cases where a refugee informs my Department that they wish to return to their country of origin, it is necessary to revoke their refugee status to allow them to return.
A person whose refugee status has been revoked has a right to appeal my decision to the High Court.
Regarding judicial appeals taken against these decisions - in both 2005 and 2006 one appeal was taken each year against the Minister's decision and both decisions were upheld by the High Court. There were no appeals in either 2007 and 2008. In 2009 there were two appeals, one of which is still ongoing; the other was overturned by the High Court and the applicant's status was re-instated. In 2010 there were three appeals where the Minister's decision was upheld. Two other appeals from 2010 are ongoing in the High Court. In 2011 there were four appeals where the Minister's decision was upheld. One appeal is still ongoing in the High Court. In 2012 there were eight appeals in total of which three decisions were upheld, one was overturned and four are ongoing. In 2013 there was one appeal which is still ongoing. To date in 2014 there have been no appeals.
162. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he has taken in view of the publication of the second periodic report of the Holy See on the Rights of the Child; if he will set out the details of any correspondence he has had with the four relevant religious orders regarding financial contributions and the reports urging an internal investigation into the conduct of religious personnel working in the Magdalen laundries; if he will ensure that all those responsible for the offences be sanctioned and reported to national judicial authorities for prosecution purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9748/14]
View answerWith regard to a financial contribution being made by the four religious congregations concerned, I discussed this matter with representatives of the four religious congregations in June 2013. Having reflected on the matter, all four declined to make a contribution. Following a discussion of the issue at Government in July 2013, I wrote to the congregations expressing disappointment that they had decided not to make a financial contribution, pointing out that the Government was of the view that the congregations had a moral obligation to do so, and urged them to reconsider. The congregations responded reaffirming their position.
I wrote to the religious congregations again on this matter several weeks ago following a statement made by the Holy See to the United Nations Committee on the Right of the Child (UNCRC) in relation to the Magdalen Laundries. I have received responses from two of the congregations advising that their position is unchanged and I am awaiting a response form the other two congregations.
I have also written to the Holy See to request clarification with regard to their statement to the UNCRC Committee and its recommendations.
I have written to the UNCRC Committee itself in the light of their concluding observations on the second periodic report of the Holy See and have asked the Committee to forward any evidence they may have of criminal behaviour having being committed in the Magdalen Laundries for the purpose of criminal investigation and possible prosecution.
163. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality Garda numbers in County Louth over the past five years; if he will provide a breakdown, in particular for the Dundalk south and Carlingford areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9749/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
Senior Garda Management is satisfied that a comprehensive policing service continues to be delivered in the Louth Division and that current structures in place meet the requirement to deliver an effective and efficient policing service to the community.
Details of the number of Gardaí assigned to the Louth Division on 31 December 2009 to 2013 and on 31 January 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are set out in the following table.
Garda (All Ranks)
|
Station |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Ardee |
30 |
31 |
28 |
28 |
27 |
27 |
|
Castlebellingham |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Collon |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clougherhead |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Drogheda |
110 |
100 |
98 |
93 |
93 |
93 |
|
Dunleer |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Blackrock |
4 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
|
Carlingford |
67 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Drumad |
6 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
Dundalk |
118 |
133 |
130 |
123 |
120 |
120 |
|
Hackballscross |
8 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Omeath |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
306 |
314 |
305 |
292 |
286 |
286 |
164. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will include a case (details supplied) in any review of the Garda Ombudsman Commission work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9814/14]
View answerI have advised the Deputy on a number of previous occasions that I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the case in question which dates from 1989, was the subject of a thorough investigation.
The Deputy will be aware that complaints were also made to the Garda Síochána Complaint Board, an independent statutory body, who further investigated the matter and found no evidence of an offence or breach of discipline on the part of the Garda members concerned.
165. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the drug squad for Kevin Street Garda station will be reinstated to tackle ongoing and increasing drug dealing in the south inner city of Dublin. [9819/14]
View answerAs identified in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, drug law enforcement remains a key priority area for An Garda Síochána and the Government as part of the overall comprehensive approach in tackling the problem of drug misuse. Drugs and organised crime also continue to be prioritised by An Garda Síochána as a core focus for 2014, through An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plan.
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction. The Garda National Drugs Unit works closely with dedicated Divisional and District Drug Units and other national units, including the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including assigning members to Drugs Units, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
Specifically in relation to Dublin Metropolitan Region South Central Division, there are 683 Gardaí assigned to the Division of whom 134 are assigned to Kevin Street Garda Station. There are 11 members assigned to the Divisional Drugs Unit. The Division is also supported by 77 Garda Reserves and 26 civilian staff.
