Written Answers Nos. 142 - 149
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of homicides associated with criminal gang drug related activity reported in each of the past ten years to date; the extent to which the perpetrators have been apprehended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28566/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána continues to proactively 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, as well as the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs.
In targeting those involved in drug trafficking An Garda Síochána have a number of specific strategies in place to address the sale, supply, importation and distribution of illegal drugs and this approach is continuing to result in significant drug seizures and the related arrests of those involved in such activities and in other forms of criminality. I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the number of homicides referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate policing is available throughout County Kildare, notwithstanding the effects of the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28575/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
I have however been informed by the Garda authorities, that the personnel strength of the Kildare Garda Division on 30 April 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 318. There are also 26 Garda Reserves and 29 Civilians attached to the Kildare Garda Division. Divisional resources are further augmented, where necessary, by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on residency-entitlement to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28576/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State under stamp 4 conditions on 6 April 2005 for an initial two year period, under the revised arrangements applicable to the non-EEA national parents of Irish born children born in the State before 1 January, 2005, more commonly known as the IBC/05 Scheme. The permission was renewed in 2007 and was subsequently renewed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) with the last renewal period expiring on 6 April 2013.
I am informed that the person concerned attempted to register with the GNIB on 15 May 2013, however, 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. A written renewal request was sent to INIS on his behalf on 21 May, 2013. A request for additional documentation was made by officials in the INIS on 31 May, 2013. However I understand no response has been received to date. Upon receipt of such additional documentation, the case of the person concerned will be examined and a decision made on his future status in the State.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person concerned in May, 2012. The application is being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, 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 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 this 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.
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on residency status and-or eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28577/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is a failed asylum applicant. Arising from the refusal of her asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 29th October, 2009, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. She was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against her. In addition, she was notified of her entitlement to apply for subsidiary protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.
The person concerned submitted an application for subsidiary protection. When consideration of this application has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.
In the event that the application for subsidiary protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted 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. The Deputy should note that as the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, she would not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation.
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.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on residency-entitlement to naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28578/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy currently has permission to reside in the State until the 28 June 2013 on Stamp 3.
I have been inform by INIS that the person referred to by the Deputy was registered in the State since 2005 as the dependent of her husband who was a work permit holder. The person made an application for a change of status to INIS on 17 August 2012. INIS has requested documents and information twice to date and no reply has been received. The requested information and documents are required by INIS in order to consider her application fully. There is no solicitor on record as having contacted INIS regarding this person. The person referred to by the Deputy should contact INIS immediately with the documentation and information requested.
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 of too long awaited.
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on the issue of Stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28579/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is a failed asylum applicant. Arising from the refusal of his asylum application, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 24th April, 2009, that the then Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why a Deportation Order should not be made against him. In addition, he was notified of his entitlement to apply for subsidiary protection in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006. The person concerned, through his legal representative, submitted written representations pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted 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.
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on determination of residency and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1. [28580/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned had a Deportation Order made against him, following the refusal of his asylum application and his application for subsidiary protection and the subsequent consideration of his case under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). The person concerned lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to refuse his subsidiary protection application and to make a Deportation Order against him. These proceedings were 'settled' with the consequence that the Deportation Order was revoked and a fresh proposal to deport letter issued. A fresh application for subsidiary protection has been submitted as have written representations pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
The application for subsidiary protection will be considered first and a decision notified. In the event that the application for subsidiary protection is refused, the position in the State of the person concerned will then be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 on the prohibition of refoulement. All representations submitted 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. The Deputy should note that as the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, he would not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation.
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.
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28581/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the application has entered the final stage of processing and I intend to grant citizenship. A letter has issued to the person referred to by the Deputy asking him to submit the prescribed fee and other documents. Upon receipt of the fee and documentation, the case will be finalised.
The person concerned will be invited in due course to attend a citizenship ceremony, at which he will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive his certificate of naturalisation.
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.
