Written Answers Nos. 150-159
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current number of overholders residing in military quarters in The Curragh, County Kildare; the extent to which their housing requirements are being met by the local authority or are likely to be met in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12586/15]
View answerCurrently there are twenty nine overholders in married quarters in or near the Curragh Camp.
Four of the properties referred to above are located outside the Camp itself and are being offered for sale to the occupants. The remaining properties are located within the Camp and it is not possible to offer these for sale as the properties are required to be retained in Department of Defence ownership for future military use.
In advancing the long standing policy of withdrawing from the provision of married quarter s accommodation the Department assists in whatever way it can in order to resolve overholding cases. The Department initiated discussions with Kildare County Council to determine whether there was a possibility of a joint initiative to provide solutions to the overholding issues in the Curragh. The Council provide s accommodation for those who meet the criteria for social housing. They have indicated that their policy now is to lease suitable properties to meet the social housing requirement in the Kildare area. In light of this, the Department has supplied supporting documentation to assist such applications when requested.
151. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the role of his Department in the development of a certain project (details supplied) in County Cork; the role of the Naval Service in the development of the project; the impact, if any, of the project on the operations of the Naval Service; the ownership of the land parcels in question; the amount of funding allocated by his Department and other public bodies to the project thus far; the funding that is required to deliver the project; the role of any other constituent bodies involved in the project; the role of ocean yacht racing facilities in the project, including information on whether such facilities will be municipal in nature or, if not, the selection criteria and tendering arrangements that will apply in the selection of those who may have use of the facility; the next steps in the process, including the timeline for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12597/15]
View answerThe Haulbowline Island Master Plan was commissioned by Cork County Council in November 2014. The creation of a Master Plan for the Island was considered necessary in order to identify a vision for the sustainable development of the remediated Island, linking industrial development and tourism potential alongside the activities in the Naval Base. It was also to ensure that the necessary remediation infrastructural works can, where possible, complement future development plans for the Island and thereby provide economies.
As you may be aware, ownership of Haulbowline Island has been temporarily transferred to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to facilitate the completion of the remedial works. Accordingly, funding for the remedial works has been included in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Vote for 2015. The Department of Defence has received no funding in respect of the remedial work or the development of the draft Master Plan.
The Master Plan is still at the drafting stage and it is not possible to provide definitive answers regarding the ultimate impact of the Master Plan on the operations of the Naval Service. The position of the Naval Service as the priority user of Haulbowline has been stressed by the Department of Defence during the development of the Plan. The Department has facilitated consideration of the development of those parts of the island not required now or in the future for Naval Service operations and support while focussing on ensuring that the Plan is supportive of the Naval Service.
Regarding any specific developments on the Island, I repeat that as the Plan is still at the drafting stage it would be premature to comment on the likelihood of the inclusion or implementation of any particular recommendation.
I understand that the drafting of the Masterplan for Haulbowline is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list in tabular form of all contracts and tenders awarded by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2004, including any such awarded singularly or as a joint bid or consortium including said company; if he will indicate which Department, agency or semi-State company was the contacting party in each case; the value in each case; the purpose of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13109/15]
View answerThe information sought is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
153. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the appointment of gardaí to stations in County Kildare who will use bicycles and Segways to patrol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12377/15]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and I will arrange for the information to be forwarded to the Deputy upon receipt.
154. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Bills that were submitted for pre-legislative scrutiny by her Department since 2011; her plans to allow pre-legislative scrutiny for any upcoming legislation from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12417/15]
View answerSince 2011 some 16 pieces of draft legislation have been submitted by my Department for pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas. A tabular list of same is attached below for ease of reference. As the Deputy will be aware, under Dáil Standing Order 123 A and prior to its presentation or introduction to the Dáil, the General Scheme or draft Heads of a Bill shall, (save in exceptional circumstances), be given by a member of Government or a Minister of State to the Committee empowered under Standing Order 82A for their consideration. It is my intention, in accordance with these Dáil Standing Orders to continue to abide with this practice into the future.
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BILL |
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Criminal Justice (Withholding Information on Crimes Against Children and Vulnerable Adults) Bill |
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National Vetting Bureau Bill |
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Personal Insolvency Bill |
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Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill (Previously Mental Capacity Bill) |
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Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill |
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Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill |
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Mediation Bill |
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Gambling Control Bill |
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Children and Family Relationships Bill |
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Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill (Previously Probation Service Bill) |
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Garda Síochána (Policing Authority And Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill (previously the Policing Authority Bill & Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill) |
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Criminal Procedure Bill |
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Hague Convention (Choice Of Court) Bill |
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Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality Referendum) Bill |
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Táillte Éireann Bill |
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Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill |
155. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action that is being taken to prevent and to prosecute persons for the cloning of vehicle licence plates. [12462/15]
View answerI have sought a report from the Garda Síochána in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy and I will be in contact directly when the information is available.
156. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if victims of burglary who have cash stolen from their homes are entitled to recoup that monetary amount if it is subsequently partially or wholly recovered by the Garda; if in cases where the recovered cash is being held as evidence, an equivalent amount can be returned to the victim, so that the victim is not financially disadvantaged; if it is usual or acceptable to have a victim waiting for over two years for the return of stolen and subsequently recovered cash; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12483/15]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the procedures applicable in the situation to which he refers are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
157. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will commit to the enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 during the lifetime of this Government, as set out in the programme for Government 2011; the timeframe for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which Ireland signed eight years ago (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12498/15]
View answerThe Deputy will understand that it is not possible for me to predict the outcome of the legislative process with regard to this, or any other Bill. However, I can say that my Department is currently preparing amendments for the Dáil Committee Stage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill to respond to issues raised in submissions to my Department and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. The aim is to strengthen the safeguards contained in this legislation so that persons with capacity difficulties can exercise decision-making autonomy to the greatest extent possible. My intention is that we will proceed to Dáil Committee Stage in the next two months with Report and Final Stages before the summer recess. My aim is that the Bill will be enacted this year. The enactment of the Bill will be a key step forward in enabling Ireland to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The Government intends to proceed with ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has a dualist legal system and therefore does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by them, including the amendment of domestic law as necessary. A team has been charged with examining all outstanding obstacles to ratification, and has nearly completed the first phase of its work, which includes identifying all areas which will need attention to make ratification possible. An Interdepartmental Committee is in place, and met recently to review issues and the action and timeframe required to tackle them. A key task involves examining how the important issue of reasonable accommodation can be achieved in a meaningful way within our Constitutional framework as interpreted by the Supreme Court. Progress towards ratification continues to be made.
158. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice and Equality how much revenue has been raised by speed checks up to 20 March 2015 at the Clare side of the Limerick Tunnel; how many traffic accidents took place in the Limerick Tunnel since it opened; if the speed checks comply with policing of traffic black spots; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12513/15]
View answerI have sought a report from the Garda Síochána in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy and I will be in contact directly when the information is available.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12575/15]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted permission to travel to and reside in the State on the 19th January 2009 as the subject of an application for Family Reunification.
Once granted Family Reunification, the person is required to register their permission with the Garda National Immigration Bureau in line with the permission granted to the Refugee.
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.
