Written Answers Nos. 156-162
156. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of evidence of tape recordings made in Garda stations, if he will reconstitute a full inquiry into the murder of a person (details supplied). [20530/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn independent inquiry was carried out, pursuant to the Dublin Police Act 1924 as amended, into the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the death of the person concerned. The inquiry, conducted by Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, concluded its work in March 2008. An abridged version of Mr. Hartnett's report was published and is available on my Department's website, www.justice.ie. As the death has already been the subject of an independent inquiry, there are no proposals to revisit the matter.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in order to regularise residency status in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20556/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that both persons concerned were granted permission to remain in the State in August, 2007 for an initial three year period, valid to 14th August, 2010. This permission to remain was renewed for a further three year period in August, 2010, valid to 14th August, 2013 in both cases. These renewal decision letters were both dated 4th August, 2010. The renewal decision letters referred to advised the persons concerned of the requirement that they apply for further renewal of their permission to remain one month before their existing permission expired. Given that there is no record of any such renewal applications having been lodged to date, it is recommended that the persons concerned would proceed to do so without further delay.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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.
158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda division in Cavan-Monaghan in 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and 2014; his proposals to increase the number of gardaí stationed in Cavan-Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20569/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is already aware, 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 Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division on 31 December 2009 to 2013 and on 31 March 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the following table.
|
Station |
31/12/09 |
31/12/10 |
31/12/11 |
31/12/12 |
31/12/13 |
31/03/14 |
|
Bailieboro |
41 |
40 |
40 |
39 |
37 |
37 |
|
Ballyjamesduff |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
|
Cootehill |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
|
Kingscourt |
7 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Mullagh |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Shercock |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
*Tullyvin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Virginia |
4 |
5 |
5 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
Ballyconnell |
28 |
29 |
28 |
25 |
19 |
19 |
|
**Bawnboy |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Belturbet |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Blacklion |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dowra |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Killeshandra |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Swanlinbar |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ballybay |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Carrickmacross |
54 |
51 |
46 |
46 |
45 |
45 |
|
Castleblaney |
28 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
|
**Corrinshigagh |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Rockcorry |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
**Shantonagh |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Arva |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Ballinagh |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
69 |
69 |
62 |
61 |
60 |
60 |
|
Kilnaleck |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
***Redhills |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
**Stradone |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Clones |
8 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
*Clontibret |
0 |
1 |
0 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Emyvale |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
106 |
97 |
86 |
82 |
81 |
79 |
|
**Newbliss |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Scotstown |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
*Smithboro |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Total |
406 |
391 |
360 |
348 |
331 |
331 |
*Tullyvin, Clontibret and Smithboro stations closed on 30/03/12
**Newbliss, Stradone, Bawnboy, Corrinshigagh and Shantonagh stations closed on 31/01/13
***Redhills station closed on 10/11/13
160. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of searches that were conducted by Defence Forces personnel of aircraft at Dublin, Shannon, and Cork airports over the past three years. [20210/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána has the primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces are deployed for security duties at airports in response to requests for support from An Garda Síochána. No aircraft at any of these airports has been searched by the Defence Forces over the past three years.
161. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Defence the recreational facilities or areas for residents to exercise that will be retained at the asylum seeker centre Knockalisheen after the proposed sale of lands adjacent to the centre by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20384/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraA portion of the lands owned by my Department at Knockalisheen Camp are currently being used as a centre for asylum seekers. There are no plans to dispose of any lands within the area allocated to the asylum centre. The remaining lands are surplus to requirements and negotiations are ongoing with a number of sitting tenants for the sale to them of the lands which they currently hold under licence. The remainder of the lands will be disposed of by auction in due course.
162. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the request by PDFORRA for a further review of the 21 year limit on contracts for members of the Permanent Defence Force; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this particular requirement will cause serious difficulties for many serving members who have mortgage and family commitments and who have the necessary skills and fitness levels to continue to serve beyond the 21 year limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20570/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was an issue of serious concern during the 1990s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile of PDF personnel. The EAG’s report was accepted by Government in 1995. In an effort to alleviate the situation, the Government had already decided in 1993 to enlist personnel on a five year contract basis, following consultation with Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA). In 1997 agreement was reached with PDFORRA on a new manpower policy for the Defence Forces. This policy, applying to personnel enlisted after 1 January 1994, provided that service for Private Soldiers would initially be for five years with the option to be extended to a maximum of twelve years, subject to meeting standards of medical and physical fitness and conduct. Longer periods of service were envisaged for Non Commissioned Officers.
In 2004 PDFORRA submitted a claim under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for a further review of the terms of service applying to personnel enlisting in the PDF after 1 January, 1994. A set of criteria was agreed with PDFORRA to provide longer careers for those who enlisted post 1 January 1994 while continuing to address the Government’s objective of having an appropriate age profile to meet the challenges of a modern Defence Forces.
The criteria require that any person re-engaging after 12 years service must be able to continue to operate at their current, level both at home and overseas, on an ongoing basis. Re-engagement is subject to the individual soldier meeting specified criteria in regard to physical fitness, medical category, successful completion of military courses of instruction, service overseas and conduct ratings.
The maximum service period for these personnel is as follows:-
- Enlisted Personnel, up to and including the rank of Corporal (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may not serve beyond 21 years service.
- Enlisted Personnel, in the rank of Sergeant (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of fifty years.
- Enlisted Personnel in all higher ranks may serve to the age of fifty-six.
With the approach of 2015 the first effects of the agreement, whereby Privates and Corporals may not serve beyond 21 years, will be felt by Permanent Defence Force members in those ranks. A claim has been received from PDFORRA for a further review in relation to this matter.
In accordance with normal procedures the Association’s claim is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. As the negotiation process with the Representative Association is very much on-going, I would not like to pre-empt or second guess the outcome of current discussions at Conciliation Council. However, I do understand the concerns this issue raises for enlisted personnel due to be discharged in terms of their personal circumstances and the impact on their families. I am also cognisant of the need for continuing recruitment to the Defence Forces of young and fit men and women so that the Defence Forces can discharge all the roles assigned to them by Government, both at home and overseas. It was for this very reason that this policy was introduced in the first place.
As discussions under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter at this time, other than to emphasise that in dealing with this issue the manpower and operational needs of the Defence Forces must be the primary consideration.
