Written Answers Nos. 157-65
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a new Garda National Immigration Bureau card will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 who obtained a new passport recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41192/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 1999, under the arrangements then applicable to the non-EEA national parents of Irish born children born in the State before 1 January, 2005. This permission was renewed on a regular basis by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) with the last renewal period expiring on 12 April, 2011.
I am informed that the person concerned attempted to register with the GNIB on 20 September, 2012. However, given that his previous registration had lapsed for over 12 months, his registration was not processed and he was advised to contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) with a view to regularising his status in the State. Accordingly, the person concerned should now make a formal written renewal request to INIS, PO Box 10003, Dublin 2. Upon receipt of such request, his case will be examined and a decision made on his future status in the State. 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 INIS 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the passport of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41194/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe passport of the person concerned was returned to him on 25 September 2012. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS 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.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if temporary leave to remain here will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 on the basis of the Zambrano judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41195/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned will have his case for renewal of leave to remain in the State considered shortly. All representations submitted, including those relating to the possible relevance of the Zambrano Judgement to the case, will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a 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 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.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for refusal of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41196/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in October 2011.
On examination of the application submitted it was determined that the person in question did not meet the statutory residency requirements as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The person concerned was informed of this in a letter issued to her on 22 June, 2012.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the prescribed statutory requirements. The on-line Naturalisation Residency Calculator available on the INIS web-site at www.inis.gov.ie can be used as a guide to whether an individual satisfies the naturalisation residency conditions and, if not, give an indication of how long they should wait before making an application.
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 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in respect of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41197/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in September, 2011. The application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
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 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
162. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Gardaí are taking in an area (details supplied) in County Meath to reduce crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41215/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests that have been made in an area (details supplied) in County Meath in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41216/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Duleek Garda Sub-District, which forms part of the Ashbourne Garda District. I am further informed that the area is subject to regular patrols by local uniform personnel, augmented by uniformed and plain clothes units from District Headquarters in Ashbourne, together with the Divisional Traffic Unit as required and the Regional Support Unit, where available.
Local Garda management closely monitors such patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in these areas to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and provide the best possible Garda service to the public. While the situation is being kept under review, Garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the communities in the area concerned and that the current structures in place deliver an effective and efficient policing service.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has put Operation Fiacla in place in order to address incidents of burglary, aggravated burglaries and related offences throughout the country. Specific burglary operations have been implemented in each Garda region, in support of Operation Fiacla, to target suspected offenders, disrupt their activities and secure their attendance before the courts.
An Garda Síochána also places great emphasis on the importance of the partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community in preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. An Garda Síochána continues to invest time and energy in these partnerships and relationships to the benefit of all. Insofar as the number of arrests made in the specific area referred to are concerned, I am informed that this would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources to compile due to the fact that persons arrested in the area referred to will, in general, be brought to either Navan or Ashbourne Garda Stations, which are both District Headquarters and have full custody facilities. Separate figures for the numbers arrested in the specific area referred to by the Deputy are not readily available.
164. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence the reason he has removed security from Columb barracks Mullingar, County Westmeath; and his plans to reinstate same. [41046/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in relation to securing alternatives uses for Columb barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath; the consultations he has held with various Government Departments and agencies to see if they have a requirement for same. [41047/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
Security measures have been in place at Columb Barracks since its closure. For obvious reasons it is not my Department’s policy to go into the specific detail in relation to those and any ongoing measures but I can say that the effectiveness of the security measures are being continuously monitored. Since the announcement of the Government decision on barrack closures my Department has written to each Government Department, various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures. Some discussion has taken place in relation to Mullingar Barracks. However at this time no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to dispose of the barracks so as to maximize the benefits to the local community.
