Séamus Hughes
Ceist:46 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Justice the total number of peace commissioners appointed by county in each of the years from 1990 to date in 1996. [9972/96]
Written Answers. - Peace Commissioner Appointments.
The numbers of peace commissioners appointed by county in each of the years 1990 to end of April 1996 are as follows:
|
County |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 (Apr.) |
|
Carlow |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
2 |
|
Clare |
7 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cork |
25 |
42 |
40 |
11 |
25 |
28 |
16 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
10 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
11 |
7 |
|
Dublin |
66 |
35 |
70 |
17 |
25 |
39 |
12 |
|
Galway |
7 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
9 |
7 |
2 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
3 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
|
Laois |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
12 |
11 |
3 |
4 |
12 |
8 |
|
Longford |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
7 |
11 |
6 |
|
Meath |
5 |
5 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
18 |
6 |
22 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
13 |
15 |
20 |
1 |
7 |
9 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
|
Totals |
196 |
182 |
226 |
70 |
153 |
183 |
80 |
Séamus Hughes
Ceist:47 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Justice the factors she takes into account in initiating the process for the appointment of a peace commissioner; whether this is solely on the basis of the Garda authorities in the area indicating the necessity of the appointment of the peace commissioner for that area; the other factors taken account of, such as, representations other than from the Garda Síochána; the reason she initiates the process of appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9973/96]
Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 empowers the Minister for Justice to appoint from time to time such and so many fit and proper persons as the Minister considers expedient to perform the duties of peace commissioners and there are no other legislative requirements governing the appointment of peace commissioners. That is to say that there is no specific statutory appointment procedure.
In practice it is open to any person to apply for appointment as a peace commissioner and in effect the receipt of such an application, either from the individual concerned or from others, including public representatives, acting on his or her behalf, initiates the appointment procedure. Factors taken into account include the requirements of the Garda Síochána and the applicant's suitability but in the final analysis the decision to make an appointment is one for the Minister's discretion. This is the practice which has been followed by successive Ministers.
I should point out that the post of peace commissioner is an honorary appointment and it exists to facilitate members of the public in addition to meeting Garda needs.