merrion street

In the first 10 months as Minister in the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Defence, Alan Shatter, TD, prioritised the enactment of the following pieces of legislation:

1.        The

which implements crucial reform to facilitate Garda access to essential information, documentation and electronically held information to assist in the investigation of white collar crime. The Act also renders it a criminal offence to fail to furnish to the Gardaí information which could prevent the commission of white collar crime or to assist the Gardaí in an investigation into white collar crime. It also introduces important new measures to protect whistleblowers. The Act will provide vital assistance to the Gardaí in the completion of investigations which are current as well as providing assistance to them in investigations undertaken in the future.

2.        The

which imposes an obligation on the courts when considering imposing a sentence of 12 months or less on a convicted offender to first consider requiring the offender to undertake community service. This measure is intended to bring about a greater use of Community Service Orders to the benefit of local communities and to save taxpayers money in the context of the cost incurred when convicted offenders serve short terms of imprisonment. It is also intended to partially address the current problem of prison overcrowding and the granting of unconditional temporary release to prisoners prior to their becoming eligible for release on remission. The Act was first successfully invoked in court proceedings in September 2011.

3.        The

implements important reforms across a diverse range of legal areas addressed in over 40 current Acts of the Oireachtas. The reforms apply to the following areas: bankruptcy law; domestic violence; enforcement of District Court Maintenance Orders; the provision of legal aid to victims of human trafficking; provision for civil partners to receive equal treatment to married couples with regard to citizenship matters and express statutory provision for citizenship ceremonies; reform of the legal provisions applicable to the appointment of Taxing Masters of the High Court; new arrangements for the protection of documentation furnished to and held by tribunals of inquiry; provision to bring the Family Mediation Service under the aegis of the Legal Aid Board and provision to facilitate the speedy electronic publication of Acts of the Oireachtas on the web immediately upon completion of the legislative process.

4.        The

enabled the Houses of the Oireachtas apply to the judiciary the same pension levy and salary reductions that have applied to related pay scales across the public service. The wording for the required constitutional amendment was developed by Minister Alan Shatter in consultation with the Attorney General and approved by the Government on 26

July. The 29

Amendment of the Constitution (Judges’ Remuneration) Bill 2011 was published on the 4

August.   The Referendum was passed on the 27

October 2011 with a substantial 79.74% of voters voting in support of the Government amendment.  The Bill was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins on the 17

November 2011.

5.        The

provides for amendments to the Defence Acts to expand the potential candidature for appointment to the post of Military Judge and the Director of Military Prosecutions to persons other than members of the Defence Forces and for an amendment to the powers of the Selection Committee to determine a candidate’s qualification for appointment to these posts. In relation to the alternative judge, it also provides for the appointment of a Circuit Court Judge to perform the functions of the Military Judge where the Military Judge is not available for whatever reason. The Bill has now passed all stages in the Oireachtas and will be commenced shortly.

6.        The

The primary purpose of the Act is to establish the Property Services Regulatory Authority with a mandate to set and enforce standards in the provision of property services by auctioneers, letting agents and property management agents and to provide redress mechanisms for consumers of those services. The Authority will also have statutory responsibility for the publication of residential property sales prices and the establishment and maintenance of a Commercial Leases Database. Advertisements inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the public who wish to be considered for appointment to the new Authority were published on the 7

December 2011.

7.        The

  clarifies the law concerning the use of force by a householder when under attack by an intruder in their home. It recognises the special constitutional status of an individual’s family home and makes it clear that a person may use reasonable force to defend themselves in their home:

1)        It provides that a person who uses such reasonable force cannot be sued by a burglar in respect of any injury, loss or damage arising from it;

2)        It explicitly provides that a person attacked in the home is not required to retreat;

3)        It extends the right to use such reasonable force to the curtilage of the dwelling and

4)        It acknowledges that in circumstances where it is reasonable to do so, the force used may, unfortunately result in death.

8.        The

The Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 and Explanatory Memorandum was published by Minister Shatter on the 12

October, 2011. Second Stage began in the Dáil on the 16

December 2011. In addition to giving effect to key structural reforms included in the

the Bill also meets a number of the State’s key commitments in the

aimed at structural reform building on the recommendations of the Legal Costs Working Group and the Competition Authority. Together, these provisions are intended to:

• promote competition and transparency in the organisation and provision of legal services in the State and in relation to legal costs,
• provide for independent regulation of the legal profession and an independent complaints system to determine allegations of lawyers misconduct, and
• better balance the respective interests of the public, consumers and legal professionals in their respective provision and consumption of legal services and to provide for greater competition.

9.        Heads of the

were published on Wednesday 13

July. (The date of the publication of the Cloyne Report). This Bill will render it a criminal offence for an individual to fail without reasonable excuse to disclose information which might be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person who commits a serious offence against a child or a vulnerable adult or if he or she knows such offence has been committed and fails to so inform the Gardaí. The draft Bill was furnished to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality in September and the Committee commentary on it is expected in January 2012. The Bill in final form will be published and debated in the Dáil early in the New Year.   

10.        The

will make statutory provision for the vetting of persons employed in circumstances where they have access to children and for the use of soft information. The Heads of this Bill were published on Wednesday, 27

July 2011, and were considered by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality who reported in November 2011. The Committee’s views are available on the Oireachtas website. The Bill is to be published in final form and debated in the Dáil in the New Year.   

11.        The

is being progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The primary purpose of this Bill is to implement the Convention on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters signed at Lugano on 30

October 2007. It also specifically applies to orders made in family cases. The 2007 Lugano Convention is to ensure that the same regime will apply for the recognition and enforcement of judgments moving between Switzerland, Norway and Iceland and the EU as the regime which at present prevails within the European Union for judgments coming from the Member States. The 2007 Convention was concluded by the European Community in May 2009 and has since been ratified by all of the relevant EFTA countries.

12.       

. On the 26

July 2011, Government approved the publication of the European Arrest Warrant (Application to Third Countries and Amendment) and Extradition (Amendment) Bill 2011.The purpose of the Bill is to provide a mechanism to enable Ireland to give effect in Irish law to Surrender Agreements entered into by the European Union with countries other than Member States of the Union. The Bill provides that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, following consultation with the Minister for Justice and Equality, may by order apply all or any of the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, which would otherwise apply only to Member States, to a third country where there is an EU Agreement on surrender with that country.

This will enable Ireland to give effect, in Irish law, to the Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on surrender. It will also enable the terms of the European Arrest Warrant Act to be applied to any other countries with which the EU may have surrender agreements in the future, without the need for further primary legislation.

13.        The

On 12

July 2011 the Minister secured Government approval for the drafting of legislation to transfer the functions of the Civil Defence Board back into the Department of Defence. The Heads of the Civil Defence (Repeal) Bill were subsequently agreed by Government on the 30

August last. The Bill is currently being drafted and it is anticipated that it will be published in early 2012. This proposed transfer of functions will result in verifiable savings and will allow management to develop the provision of training support, which is a key demand in a voluntary organisation like Civil Defence rather than duplicating the corporate governance of the Department. If the proposed Bill is enacted, it will repeal the Civil Defence Act 2002, dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer its functions, property, rights, liabilities and other responsibilities back into the Department of Defence.

14.       

On the 21

September, 2011, Alan Shatter T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence announced that the Government has agreed to his proposal to start work immediately on new legislation to modernise our laws on gambling. Minister Shatter stated that no provision would be made for large resort style casinos such as have been proposed by some promoters but that statutory provisions will permit modest size casinos. The number will be limited and every application will be subjected to vigorous checks, including deep and extensive checks on the promoters.

15.       

In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government the Personal Insolvency Bill is in the course of urgent development in the Department of Justice and Equality to provide for a new framework for settlement and enforcement of debt and for personal insolvency. The commitment under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland is to publish the Bill in Quarter 1 of 2012. It is intended that the Heads of the Bill, which are expected to be finalised in the near future, will be forwarded to the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for its consideration.

16.       

Changed arrangements for Ministerial transport resulting in savings of €4 million per year.   

17.       

As Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Minister Shatter had political responsibility for the necessary security and protection arrangements put in place by An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces and for their participation in civil ceremonies and events during the recent visits to this State of HRH Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama.

18.       

In response to the United Nations request Dáil Éireann approved the deployment of up to approximately 440 personnel to UNIFIL in Lebanon in April 2011. An advance group of Defence Forces personnel deployed to southern Lebanon at the end of May 2011, with the main contingent deployed towards the end of June 2011. Initial deployment will be for 1 year, subject to renewal of the mandate and a satisfactory review of the mission at that time.

19.       

The Minister accompanied President McAleese on her official visit to Lebanon during the period 14

to 16

October 2011. On 15

October 2011, together with President McAleese, he visited Camp Shamrock the headquarters of the 104

Irish Infantry Battalion and met with members of the Battalion currently deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This was followed by a tour of the Irish Battalion’s area of operations. The visit to Lebanon afforded the Minister an opportunity to see, at first hand, the dedication and professionalism of military personnel and the tremendous work done overseas by the Irish Defence Forces. He conveyed to the troops the Government’s deep appreciation for the outstanding manner in which they continue to perform their duties on overseas service. The Minister participated in meetings with members of the Lebanese government which addressed not only peace keeping matters but also the enhancement and development of closer economic ties between Ireland and Lebanon.

20.       

: On the 28

June the Minister secured Government approval to continue to provide up to twelve members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the UN-authorised-NATO-led International Security Presence in Kosovo (KFOR), for a further period of twelve months beyond June 2011; to continue to provide seven members of the Permanent Defence Force, for a further period from July 2011 for service with the UN-authorised NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan, subject to ongoing review by the Minister for Defence and to continue to provide approximately 5 members of the Permanent Defence Force to serve with the CSDP mission engaged in the training of the Somali Security Forces, currently called “EUTM Somalia”, for a further period of one year beyond August 2011 subject to an appropriate decision of the Council of the European Union authorising the extension of the CSDP mission.

21.       

On 26

July 2011, the Government approved in principle the recommendations contained in the Report of the Thornton Hall Prison Review Group (published on 28

July 2011).

On 10

November, Minister Shatter, announcing the capital allocation available to the Justice Sector in 2012, stated that the reduced capital envelope this year will not allow the Prison Service to proceed with the construction of Thornton Hall or Kilworth Prisons in 2012. Work will, however, continue on the completion of the current construction work in the Midlands prison and in the Dóchas Centre, which together will provide a much needed 370 or so additional prison places. Works will also be undertaken in 2012 to provide in-cell sanitation in B Block in Mountjoy Prison.  This follows the success of the recent upgrade of Mountjoy Prison C division.

Minister Shatter reiterated his strong intention to revisit the timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Report in 12 months, stating that the Government remains very much committed to addressing the twin problems of overcrowding and poor physical conditions within the prison estate.

On the 16

September 2011, Minister Shatter delivered a detailed paper on sentencing and prison reform at the Annual Lecture of the Irish Penal Reform Trust.

22.       

On Tuesday 26

July, the Government decided to abolish the redundant Prisons Authority (Interim) Board, which was set up in 1998. The Board, which has a membership of 12 people, was set up by a previous administration to advise on and guide the management of the prison system pending the creation of an independent statutory Prisons Board. No statutory Board was ever established. The Government’s policy is to abolish agency boards where appropriate and to make agency managers directly accountable to Ministers. The decision to abolish the Board will save more than €100,000 per year. The Inspector of Prisons provides an independent oversight and critique of our prison system and his independence is provided for in the Prisons Act 2007.   

Under new proposed arrangements, Visiting Committees will submit their Annual Reports to the Inspector of Prisons who will publish them.  At present the Annual Prison Visiting Committee Reports are submitted to the Minister.  Visiting Committees will report every two months to the Inspector on any issue that they wish to bring to his attention. They will be able to report any urgent or major issue to him at any time.

Visiting Committees will continue their role of visiting prisons. They will continue to meet with prisoners and liaise on their behalf with prison authorities. But they will be more effective: each Visiting Committee will comprise no more than six members, and only suitable people with a genuine interest in prison issues will be appointed. The Inspector will have independent oversight of their work.

A prison pilot scheme was commenced in September 2011 for the early release of prisoners, not yet entitled to release by way of remission, who are judged to pose no threat to the community, are of good conduct and have served a substantial portion of their sentence and who agree to undertake supervised Community Service.  To date 65 prisoners have been released under the scheme.   Community Service is a condition of release and failure to undertake the required Community Service results in a prisoner having to complete the outstanding prison sentence.   

23.       

The Government has agreed in principle to merge the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority into a new Human Rights and Equality Commission. The purpose of this change is to promote human rights and equality issues in a more effective, efficient and cohesive way. Minister Shatter will bring forward legislative proposals in the first part of 2012 to establish a new Human Rights and Equality Commission. The essential objective of this body will be to champion human rights, including the right to equality. It will play a key role in:

• encouraging State authorities to put respect for human rights and equality at the heart of their policies and practices;
• monitoring compliance with international and constitutional human rights standards;
• helping people to understand what their rights are and how to protect them;
• promoting political debate on human-rights and equality issues, in particular by providing consultative opinions on proposed legislation;
• appearing before the superior courts as amicus curiae ('friend of the court') to assist the courts with the interpretation of human rights standards;
• investigating human rights and equality concerns, and
• publishing and promoting research and reports on human rights and equality issues.

On the 6

October Minister Shatter announced the appointment of a Working Group to advise him on the establishment of a new and enhanced Human Rights and Equality Commission. The Minister expects to receive the Working Group Report early in 2012 and will then be in a position to finalise the draft legislation required to establish the new unified Commission.

24.       

  The Minister published the report of Mr Frank Callanan S.C., into the circumstances related to the deaths of Cpl Fintan Heneghan, Pte Mannix Armstrong and Pte Thomas Walsh on 21 March 1989, while serving with C Company, 64

Infantry Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in the Lebanon (UNIFIL). Mr Callanan was appointed by the Minister, in April 2011, to carry out the inquiry, which encompassed a review of all available documents and interviews with all persons, as considered appropriate by him.   

25.       

On the 13

July 2011, the Minister for Justice, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., published the Commission of Investigation Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. In response, the Ministers brought forward a comprehensive range of measures designed to address not just the type of problem highlighted by the Commission's report on Cloyne but provide the foundation for an immeasurably strengthened system of child protection. These measures include: the Criminal Justice (Withholding Information on Crimes Against Children and Vulnerable Adults) Bill; the National Vetting Bureau Bill and revised Children First National Guidelines which, following the Government decision, will be placed on a statutory footing.

Following a decision of the High Court on the 16

December 2011, the Department of Justice and Equality published the redacted parts of the Cloyne report on the 19

December 2011.

26.       

The Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in 2011 cost an estimated sum in excess of €57 million, being €10 million more than originally budgeted for by the previous government in Budget December 2010.

A sum of €47 million is available under the December 2011 Budget for Criminal Legal Aid in 2012 and the decrease in fees will contribute to the necessary reduction in Criminal Legal Aid costs.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, following the approval of the Minister for Finance, signed new Regulations into law imposing a reduction of 10% in the fees payable under the criminal legal aid scheme. The Regulations came into force on the 13

July 2011.

The Regulations apply to various fees payable to solicitors and counsel under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme for appearances in the District Court and for appeals to the Circuit Court and in the fees payable in respect of essential visits to prisons and other custodial centres and for certain bail applications. The decrease also applies to fees payable under the Ad-hoc Garda Station and CAB Schemes and to payments to professionals engaged by the defence as expert witnesses and to those providing translation/interpretation services.

27.       

On the 5

December 2011, Minister Shatter announced plans, prepared by the Commissioner under the draft policing plan for 2012, for the closure of 31 Garda stations throughout the country and for a reduction in the public opening hours of 10 Garda stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.  The plan also formally recognises the closure of eight other Garda stations which, while still listed as Garda stations, are already non-operational and will not re-open. We presently have 703 Garda Stations, 47 of which are in Dublin. An Garda Síochána, like all public service agencies, must introduce new efficiencies so as to make the best possible use of available resources.  This will mean focusing resources on frontline operational services.  In some cases it will mean using a different model for delivering a policing service to a local community, through a rationalisation of Garda stations and revised patterns of patrols. It is expected that there will be a further consolidation of Garda Stations in 2012.

28.       

Minister Shatter made an Order, on December 19th,  under the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 prescribing certain registered relationships entered into by same sex couples in other jurisdictions as entitled to be treated as equivalent to civil partnership under Irish law. The Order will come into effect on 25th December 2011 and details 32 countries/states in respect of whom registered relationships are now recognised. The registered relationships to which recognition is now being extended include: Civil Partnerships from the Isle of Man, Civil Partnerships from South Africa, Civil Unions from Illinois, USA, Marriages from New York, USA, Domestic Partnerships from Oregon, USA, and Civil Unions from Rhode Island, USA.

29.       

On the 6

December 2011 the Government announced its decision not to proceed with the legislation to abolish upward only rent review clauses in existing business leases.   Substantial work on the preparation of a Bill was completed during the year by the Minister and the decision was taken with a great deal of regret.  The Government was advised that any legislative scheme involving interference in the contractual relationships of private parties would find it extremely difficult to survive a Constitutional challenge. In addition, it was advised that any model proposed would require the payment of compensation to landlords whose rights were infringed, in order to ensure that the proposal would be compatible with the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.  The Government is strongly of the view that payment of compensation to landlords in such circumstances could not be justified in the current economic climate. Alternative approaches to addressing the issue were considered.  The Minister for Finance outlined in his Budget speech that NAMA will play a role in dealing with the problems caused by upward only rent reviews which apply to NAMA properties. NAMA has now published its policy guidance which will inform the approach to be taken where relevant tenants are experiencing difficulties in paying rents.  Where there is a failure to reach agreement on revised contracts the policy guidance provides an opportunity for NAMA to approve rent reductions where it can be shown that rents are in excess of market levels, and that the viability of the tenant is threatened.  The policy also provides for the appointment of an independent valuer to ascertain current market rent. Where a tenant is not getting satisfaction he or she can contact NAMA directly.   

30.       

The Programme for Government provides for the initiation of a detailed legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Red Cross in Ireland to improve its functioning in the light of changing circumstances. A draft Order that would amend the Irish Red Cross Order 1939 is currently being examined by the Office of the Attorney General. When the text of the draft order has been settled, the Minister will bring the draft legislation to Government for approval. A comprehensive review of all Red Cross legislation, and in particular the primary legislation, will then be commenced in accordance with the commitment given in the Programme for Government.

31.       

The European Union Court of Justice Zambrano Judgement (March 2011) prevents an EU Member State refusing a parent who has minor dependent children, who are EU citizens, the right to reside in the Member State of residence and nationality of those children:-

At the direction of the Minister, Departmental officials are examining all cases before the courts (approx 120) involving Irish citizen dependent children to which the Zambrano judgement (which concerns only children born prior to the 2005 Citizenship Referendum) may be relevant. The relevance of Zambrano to others seeking to remain in the State is also under examination and, in the best interests of Irish citizen children, 682 parents have to date been granted Irish residency rights. Decisions made to date have resolved 108 cases which were before the courts at the date of the Zambrano Judgement. This sensible and pragmatic initiative is being taken in the best interests of the welfare of eligible minor Irish citizen children and to ensure that the taxpayer is not exposed to any unnecessary additional legal costs.

32.       

Launched a consultative process on a draft Bill in relation to a much needed and long overdue overhaul and consolidation of landlord and tenant law.  Submissions were invited, by the 31

May, from interested parties. The Government has subsequently approved drafting of the Bill. The Minister expects the Bill to be published in 2012.   

33.       

Devised and launched Ireland’s first formal Visa Waiver Programme designed to assist in the promotion of Ireland as a quality business and leisure destination in markets which would not have been regarded as traditional source countries for tourism to Ireland.  Under the provisions of the Programme, which will run as a pilot from 1

July 2011 to 31

October 2012, nationals of 16 specified countries who presently need a visa to enter Ireland and who obtain a visa to enter the UK for a short term visit will not need to obtain a separate visa to include a visit to Ireland on their itinerary.  In addition, special arrangements have been put in place to facilitate visits to this State by nationals of these 16 countries who are long-term residents in the UK. It is hoped that this arrangement will encourage a substantial increase in tourists visits to Ireland and in particular, result in a significant number of people who visit London for the 2012 Olympics also visiting Ireland.

34.       

Initiated the first substantive response by Government to address the issue of the circumstances of the women and girls who resided in the Magdalene Laundries.  On the Minister’s proposal, agreed by Government, the following has taken place:

1)        An Inter-departmental Committee has been established, chaired by Senator Martin McAleese, to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalene Laundries, to clarify any State interaction, and to produce a narrative detailing such interaction. Senator McAleese had been asked to provide an initial progress report within three months of the Committee commencing its work. On the 25

October, 2011, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, published the interim progress report of the Inter-Departmental Committee set up to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalene Laundries.

2)        The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch TD met with the four religious congregations and representatives from Justice for Magdalene, Magdalene Survivors Together and London Irish Survivors who represent former residents of the Magdalene Laundries. Their discussions included addressing the following matters:

i.        The making available by the congregations all records maintained by them with regard to the residents of the Magdalene Laundries to enable all available information about former residents to be shared with them and also made available for appropriate research purposes.

ii.        The provision of information concerning the number of persons currently residing with or in the care of the religious congregations who originally commenced such residence in the Magdalene Laundries and who have remained in their care.

iii.        To discuss the putting in place of a restorative and reconciliation process and the structure that might be utilised to facilitate such process.

35.       

Obtained Cabinet approval for Memorandum of Understanding for support and cooperation between this State’s Forensic Science Laboratory and the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory which Memorandum was signed and implemented by Minister Shatter and Minister David Ford in Armagh on the 8

June 2011.

36.       

Secured Government approval for the recruitment of contract staff to assist in tackling backlog and delay in Garda Vetting. At the time of the Minister’s appointment it took an average of 12 weeks to determine vetting applications. This timeline has been reduced to an average of 5 weeks.  

37.       

When the new Government came into office on 9th March there was a backlog of approximately 22,000 citizenship applications awaiting decision, approximately 17,000 of which had been awaiting decision for in excess of 6 months with an average waiting time of 25 months.  Approximately 15,000 of these have been determined so far this year. This substantially exceeds the full year total of citizenship applications determined in 2010. The Minister for Justice and Equality put in place improved systems for more efficiently processing Citizenship Applications and arranged for more user friendly application forms and web access to such forms. In addition, the Minister devised and presided over the first formal Citizenship Ceremony ever held in this State. Following on from the success of the pilot ceremony held in June in Dublin Castle a series of further such ceremonies took place in July, September and December. Citizenship Ceremonies will continue to be scheduled into the future.

38.       

Since taking office the Minister has visited the following prisons:

1)        Mountjoy Prison

2)        St Patrick’s Institution

3)        Dóchas Centre

4)        Cork Prison

The Minister will be making further prison visits during the first half of 2012.

39.       

Initiated at a European Council Meeting of Justice Ministers a process to provide a European wide framework for the establishment in European Union countries of Criminal Asset Bureaus which replicate the Irish CAB and steps toward the enforcement across the European Union of Court Orders made to seize the proceeds of crime where such proceeds are held in one EU country and have derived from criminal activity in another EU country.   

40.       

At meetings of the European Council of Justice contributed to the development of the newly proposed EU Regulation detailing the rights of victims of crime to provide a uniform protection for such victims across the European Union.

41.       

The Minister for Defence initiated the necessary steps to ensure that the process of producing a new White Paper engenders broad and informed debate regarding Ireland’s defence policy. The Minister has engaged with his officials in this regard. Whilst preliminary work on the preparation of a new White Paper had been ongoing, the Minister has decided to expand the planned consultative process by initiating the preparation of a Green Paper on Defence. This discussion paper will act as a catalyst to ensure an appropriate level of debate on Defence and inform the development of a new White Paper. It is hoped to have the Green Paper finalised and published in the first half of 2012.

42.       

The recommendations of the PA Consultants Report on the restructuring of the Medical Corps have been designed to meet the demands and needs of the Defence Forces and implementation is progressing. The Minister is committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and overseas. Approval was obtained from the Department of Finance for the holding of a competition for the appointment of Doctors to the Defence Forces Medical Corps. This competition is underway.

43.       

The Office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is the independent appeals mechanism for the Defence Forces internal Redress of Wrong System.  In the period from March 2011 when Minister Shatter was appointed, to June 2011, all 17 outstanding cases were dealt with by him and a final determination issued to the Ombudsman.   Minister Shatter has given a final determination on a total of 33 cases in the period March to December 2011.

44.       

The Minister has visited the following military facilities since his appointment:

1)        The Military Cadet School in the Curragh Camp, Kildare

2)        The Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh, Co. Kildare

3)        Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin

4)        The Naval Base in Haulbowline

5)        Collins Barracks, Cork

6)        Custume Barracks, Athlone

7)        Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks, Renmore

8)        Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel

9)        McKee Barracks, Dublin

45.       

Presided over graduation ceremonies of members of An Garda Síochána in Templemore and the commissioning ceremony of members of the 86

Army Cadet class.

46.       

  On 8th September 2011, the Minister hosted a Seminar in Farmleigh on Irish and Finnish Perspectives on European Security and Defence Policy.  The purpose of the meeting was to share perspectives on defence policy issues.  This is of mutual benefit as both Ireland and Finland are neutral, militarily non-aligned countries which are members of the EU but not members of NATO. The seminar was very successful and has provided a template for similar meetings with other partners in the future. The seminar was attended by senior personnel from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence as well as senior military officers from both countries.  In addition a number of Academics from both countries attended.

47.       

  On 25

October the Minister for Defence obtained the approval of the Government to lay the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Austro/German Battle group before Dáil Éireann and move a resolution in Dáil Éireann seeking its approval.  Subject to the approval of Dáil Éireann, the Minister will sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the Austro/German Battlegroup. As part of our participation in this Battlegroup, Ireland is required to sign the Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to provide a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to participate in the Battlegroup which will be on standby for the second semester of 2012. The Austro/German Battlegroup Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement between the participants, namely Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which sets out principles in relation to the operation, deployment and management of the Austro/German Battlegroup.

48.       

On 27

September, Minister Shatter secured Dáil Éireann approval for Ireland’s participation in two EDA projects. One of the projects relates to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Protection and the other relates to Maritime Surveillance.  Both of these projects will contribute to Defence Forces capability.

49.        On 3

October the Minister launched a seminar on

which was organised jointly by Enterprise Ireland and the Defence Organisation. The objective of the seminar, which was attended by representatives from academia, industry and the European Defence Agency (EDA), was to afford Irish industry and research institutions an opportunity to engage with the EDA, and to hear from the Defence Forces about initiatives in their area of capability development.  This is in support of Government policy to promote and support investment in technology research and development and put in place incentives for companies engaged in research and development. The key note address was provided by Madame Claude France Arnould, Chief Executive of the EDA.   

50.       

  The Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, T.D., and the Minister attended the annual Defence Forces Cavalry Corps Remembrance Day at the Defence Forces Training Centre, Plunkett Barracks, Curragh Camp.

51.       

The Minister attended the unveiling of a monument in Kilbehenny, Co Limerick to Trooper Patrick Mullins, who died as a result of hostile action while on service in the Congo on the 15

September 1961.

52.        

Secured the agreement of Government that the Defence Forces would stabilise at 9,500 on an annualised basis up to and including 2014 and would not fall below that number. This brought to an end the continuing decrease in Defence Force numbers which occurred in previous years. 

: Secured the agreement of Cabinet for the closure of four army barracks to ensure a more efficient use of resources and to increase the army numbers available for frontline services. The Minister also initiated a reorganisation of the army from a three brigade to a two brigade structure to maximise efficiencies and the army’s operational capability.

53.       

For the first time expressions of interest were sought through public advertisement from suitably qualified and experienced persons for nomination as Ireland's representative to the

expressions of interest were also sought through public advertisement from suitably qualified and experienced persons for nomination as Ireland's representative to the

, expressions of interest were sought from members of the public interested in serving on the 3-person

advertisements inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the public who wish to be considered for appointment to the new

were published on the 7 December 2011. For the first time in eighty five years a competitive recruitment process in relation to the appointment, by Government, of a

was conducted by the independent Public Appointments Service in September 2011.

54.       

The Minister personally engaged in conducting negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure with regard to the estimates for each of his Departments for 2012.

55.       

The Minister has attended EU Justice and Home Affairs Council Meetings  and also EU Defence Ministers meetings to coordinate and cooperate on crucial EU issues of common interest.

56.       

David Forde, Minister for Justice Northern Ireland; Matt Baggott, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; Theresa May, UK Home Secretary; Owen Patterson, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Damien Greene, UK Minister of State for Immigration. The Minister has also, on the margins of EU meetings attended by him and at meetings of the EPP regularly throughout the, year met with and discussed issues of common interest with his European Union counterparts.

57.       

  On the 25th of November Minister Shatter, together with Minister of State Hugo Swire of the Northern Ireland Office met with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains and with members of the families of those who disappeared during the troubles, including those whose family members' remains have been located by the Commission and those whose remains have not been discovered.  He assured them of the two Governments continuing support for the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains and for doing whatever is possible to locate the remains of loved ones and further initiatives that could be taken to seek crucial outstanding information from those may know the whereabouts of remains.