New Garda Inspectorate study

Minister Lenihan announces details of new Garda Inspectorate study – examination of Garda resource allocation and development of a Garda Charter
Progress reports on implementation of Garda Inspectorate recommendations published
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, today announced that he has asked the Garda

Inspectorate to examine the allocation of Garda resources and also to provide advice on the development of a Garda Charter as proposed in the Programme for Government. Progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in their previous three reports have also been published today.
Resource Allocation Study
The Minister has requested the Garda Inspectorate to examine and report to him on how the allocation of Garda resources can be improved. Announcing the new study, Minister Lenihan said: "An Garda Síochána now has more resources – people, equipment, transport and finance – than ever before in its history. This significant investment of public funds must be used in the most efficient and effective manner to protect public safety and combat criminal activity. The Garda Inspectorate can play an important role in examining resource allocation, bringing its knowledge and experience, and international best practice, to assist An Garda Síochána in improving the way it operates."
The Study’s Terms of Reference, set by the Minister for the Garda Inspectorate, are attached.
Development of Garda Charter
The Minister has also asked the Inspectorate to advise him on the development and implementation of the Garda Charter. Commenting, the Minister said: "Garda resources must be targeted where they can have most effect and can respond rapidly and satisfactorily to the needs of communities in all parts of the country. An Garda Síochána is progressing initiatives in this area and I look forward to receiving the Inspectorate’s report and recommendations on this issue and their advice on how best a Garda Charter can be introduced to help improve customer service and responsiveness."
The Study’s Terms of Reference, set by the Minister for the Garda Inspectorate, are attached.

Recommendations implementation Progress Reports
Progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate in their previous three reports have also been published today.
The first three reports of the Garda Inspectorate were as follows:
• Report on the Senior Management Structure• Review of Practices and Procedures for Barricade Incidents, and• Policing in Ireland, Looking Forward.
The update tables show the current state of progress in implementing the recommendations of these reports. Over one third of the recommendations are already implemented and by the end of the third quarter of this year over 80% will be implemented.
Speaking about the recommendation implementation reports, Minister Lenihan said: "I am satisfied that significant progress is being made in implementation of the Garda Inspectorates Recommendations and I congratulate the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Inspector on the progress made to date."
The Progress Reports are available on the websites of the Garda Inspectorate, www. http://www.gsinsp.ie/, and An Garda Síochána, http://www.garda.ie/.
3 April 2008

Note for Editors
The terms of reference proposed for the new study are as follows:
Allocating Garda resources and the development and implementation of the Garda Charter
a. Allocating resourcesTo examine and report on how the allocation of Garda resources can be improved. This will include
• an examination of the current system of managing the availability of resources within An Garda Síochána for front line operational duties;
• an analysis of the demand for policing services (emergency and non-emergency) and its distribution over time (through the day, week, and year). The geographical spread of such demand and the differing requirements in urban and rural locations should be examined;
• an examination of the current resource allocation system for members of An Garda Síochána, including rostering and overtime, to see how well resources are made available to match demand for services and other operational requirements;
• an examination of potential alternative resource allocation systems to see whether there can be improvements in the match between availability of resources and the workload;
• an examination of the consequences for resource allocation of issues such as special leave, term time working and medically restricted duties.
b. Developing and implementing the Garda CharterTo advise on the development and implementation of the Garda Charter proposed in the Programme for Government which will set out targeted response times and levels of service which the public can expect including frequency of high visibility patrols in urban and rural communities.
To examine data currently available and to make recommendations on improving data availability on response times and the levels of service (including frequency of high visibility patrols) provided by An Garda Síochána.
To consider any similar service charters or relevant systems operating in other police services and to report on how the experience in those services can be used in developing and implementing a system in Ireland.
To recommend on how a system can be implemented incrementally having regard to the availability of resources and the systems for the deployment of such resources.

Garda Síochána Corporate Plan 2007-2009
An Garda Síochána has currently in existence a Garda Customer Charter, a Declaration of Ethical and Professional Standards and is also significantly advancing the development of a Customer Relationship Model for all our customers in line with the commitment given under the Strategic Imperatives in the Garda Síochána Corporate Plan 2007-2009 and the Garda Síochána Change and Modernisation Agenda. This model when complete will enable An Garda Síochána to develop focused strategies that are informed by the needs, expectations and motivations of our various client and customer groups.

Irish Prime Minister Ahern to step down

From Reuters
Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:29:00

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Bertie Ahern will step down as Ireland's prime minister on May 6, bowing to mounting pressure for him to go early following a string of embarrassing appearances in the witness stand at an anti-corruption tribunal.
"It is my intention to tender my resignation to President McAleese on Tuesday 6 May," Ahern, flanked by his cabinet colleagues, told reporters in Dublin.
Ahern, one of Europe's longest serving heads of government after almost 11 years in office, had previously said this would be his last term in office but that he did not intend to go until it ended in 2012.

Source: eircom net International News

Today's Comment:
Although he admits mistakes but he was sure he never handled any money for corruption.
His resignation has surprised many of his party members.
He done very well in the last 10 years.
Now he would be looking for a more european job!
the question is who would be the next candidate? we trust he will be good for the country.

Immigration Bill 2008 Not Fair

THE MUSLIM LOBBY IRELAND
themuslimlobby@yahoo.ie

Immigration Bill 2008

Commenting on this bill was a nightmare experience and a blow to the Constitutional rights of the Irish citizen.
It is not too late to make amendments and address issues of interest.

The Muslim Lobby Ireland would like to remind the Fianna Fail party and Junior Minister Conor Lenihan TD to whom we pledged support and voted for in the 2007 election, that he promised to help immigrants not make life hell for them in Ireland.
We are demanding that Fianna Fail fulfil their responsibility for integration by stopping this Bill or seriously amending it, which further discriminates against non nationals in the State.

Breaching the UN refugee and human rights conventions.

This Government has called for a visa amnesty for those Irish immigrants who are under similar circumstances in other parts of the world, like those in the USA. Would they like to see these Irish citizens, being dealt with as harshly as this Bill proposes to deal with irregular immigrants in Ireland?

The Bill is "aimed at cutting down the opportunity for marriages of convenience for immigration purposes.

Difficulties to immigrants and their families

No Family Reunification


No Appeals

Powers to remove detainees

The Bill can give more power to those officials in government to abuse the law. Also the Bill infringes on the constitutional rights of the native Irish citizen in their choice of who they would like to marry. The implementation of the Bill would also incur additional costs over what the immigration process cost is now.
Comment By Bashir

Link to full report
http://themuslimlobbyireland.blogspot.com/2008/03/immigration-bill-2008-objection-to-lot.html

IMMIGRANT COUNCIL OF IRELAND said:
"Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill requires significant amendment to achieve a fair system: ICI"


New Immigration Bill has Serious Flaws
Press Release29th January 2008New Immigration Bill has Serious FlawsChanges Needed to Ensure Fairness and Due Process

FLAC press release. For immediate release. 29 January 2008FLAC reaction to Immigration Residence and Protection Bill 2008In its first reaction to the Immigration Residence & Protection Bill which was published today, FLAC, the non-governmental organisation campaigning for equal access to justice, has raised concerns about the protection of the rights of immigrants to access fair and transparent procedures.“While the Minister quite naturally wants to set up a fast, efficient immigration system, our concern is that a fair balance must be maintained between efficiency and rights” according to FLAC’s director general Noeline Blackwell.

The Lisbon Treaty

VIEW TREATY DOCUMENTS

Treaty text [745.4KB]

Protocols and declarations [330.1KB]

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Last Updated: 17/03/2008 11:41
Business group backs Lisbon Treaty

Business body Ibec today became the latest group to back the Lisbon Treaty claiming a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum would boost the economy and create jobs.
The organisation, which represents 7,000 employers nationwide, said it would also attract investment and protect the country's business interests.
It comes just days after anti-treaty group Libertas claimed if the document was ratified it would create inequality among EU member states and damage the economy.
"The treaty will ensure that key national interests are protected," said Ibec's Director of EU and International Affairs Brendan Butler. "Our ability to set our own tax policy is guaranteed along with arrangements concerning foreign direct investment.
"This means that Ireland will remain among one of the most attractive places in the world to invest.
"Each previous treaty has created new opportunities for Irish business and has helped create more jobs. This treaty will do the same," he said.
Mr Butler said a yes vote would secure Ireland's place in Europe. In the coming weeks Ibec will launch a major campaign setting out why people should support the treaty.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last week announced the Lisbon referendum would be held in the second week of June.
A day later anti-treaty group Libertas unveiled its 'No' campaign and argued a vote in favour of the treaty was a vote against the founding principles of the EU.
It argues that if ratified Ireland's voting power would be weakened while states like France and Germany would be boosted.

Source: 2008 ireland.com

Last Updated: 06/03/2008 16:54
Government publishes Lisbon Treaty Bill
Elaine Edwards
The Government has published the Bill amending the Constitution to adopt the Lisbon Treaty that will be put to the vote in a referendum.
The Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 will enable the State to ratify the Reform Treaty signed in December last. No date has yet been set for the referendum, but Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has indicated it is likely to be held in the last week of May or the first week of June.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley also today established a Referendum Commission to provide information to the public about the treaty.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today the Dáil will begin to debate the bill "immediately after" the Dáil returns from its Easter recess. Mr Ahern said the Oireachtas could extend the period of debate if necessary but he expected the referendum to be in late May or early June.
The EU treaty will give the bloc a long-term president, a more powerful foreign policy chief and more democratic decision-making, and more say to European and national parliaments. It replaces the constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Mr Ahern said he had "great faith in the Irish people" backing a "yes" vote despite the treaty being a "difficult document" to understand for some.
"When they see that virtually all of the political parties in the Republic, all of the trade unions, all of the employers, all of the other social partners are very much in favour of it ... I think they will take their lead from that," he said. It is clear from all polling on the Treaty to date, that the more information that people have, the more likely that they will vote Yes Lucinda Creighton, Fine Gael European affairs spokesperson
Ireland will be the only member state to hold a referendum to enable it to ratify the treaty. The other member states have either ratified it or are expected to do so through parliamentary procedures.
Labour Party spokesman on European affairs Joe Costello welcomed the publication of the Bill.
"The next step is to announce the date for the holding of the referendum on the Lisbon Reform Treaty. The sooner the date is set the sooner the preparatory work can begin" he said.
Fine Gael European affairs spokeswoman Lucinda Creighton said a "meaningful and truthful" debate must begin on the content of the treaty and that a date must be set.
"It is clear from all polling on the Treaty to date, that the more information that people have, the more likely that they will vote Yes. Let's ensure that a factual debate begins immediately," she said.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour are campaigning for a Yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty. The Green Party has not adopted an official position on it after a vote of its members failed to reach the required majority in order to allow it to do so.
While some senior members of the Greens favour a Yes vote, others, such as former MEP Patricia McKenna, are opposing the State's ratification of the treaty.
Sinn Féin is also opposing it. The party's agriculture spokesman Martin Ferris and Northern Ireland agriculture minister Michelle Gildernew are visiting Roscommon and Leitrim today to meet with local community groups and farmers.
Mr Ferris said the party is "actively engaging with rural communities as part of our campaign against the Lisbon Treaty".
Source 2008ireland.com

Almost two-thirds undecided on treaty
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0126/breaking3.html?via=rel


Originally called the Reform Treaty, the Lisbon Treaty was drawn up to replace the draft European constitution after it was thrown out by voters in France and the Netherlands in 2005.

The Lisbon Treaty was signed in the Portuguese capital by leaders of the EU's 27 member states in December 2007.
Governments have been asked to ratify the Treaty in 2008 with a view to it coming into force in 2009.
How similar is the new treaty to the draft constitution?
It contains many of the changes the constitution attempted to introduce, for example:
A politician chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months
A new post combining the jobs of the existing foreign affairs supremo, Javier Solana, and the external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, to give the EU more clout on the world stage
A smaller European Commission, with fewer commissioners than there are member states, from 2014
A redistribution of voting weights between the member states, phased in between 2014 and 2017
New powers for the European Commission, European Parliament and European Court of Justice, for example in the field of justice and home affairs
Removal of national vetoes in a number of areas
Most European leaders acknowledge that the main substance of the constitution will be preserved.
Reform Treaty in detail
If it contains the same substance, why is the Lisbon Treaty not a constitution?
The constitution attempted to replace all earlier EU treaties and start afresh, whereas the new treaty amends the Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht) and the Treaty Establishing the European Community (Rome).
It also drops all reference to the symbols of the EU - the flag, the anthem and the motto - though these will continue to exist.
How long did it take to agree the treaty?
The effort to draft a constitution began in February 2002 and took two-and-a-half years, but that text became obsolete when it was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Work began in earnest on a replacement treaty during the German EU presidency, in the first half of 2007, and agreement on the main points of the new treaty was reached at a summit in June that year.
Negotiations continued behind the scenes over the following months before a final draft was agreed by the leaders of the 27 member states last October.
Why was the constitution dropped?
France and the Netherlands said they would be unable to adopt the constitutional treaty without significant changes, following the 2005 referendums.
The UK also pressed hard for a modest "amending treaty", which could be ratified by means of a parliamentary vote, like earlier EU treaties.
Could the Lisbon Treaty also end up being rejected?
Yes. If just one of the EU's 27 member states fails to ratify the treaty, it cannot come into force.

Some experts say the UK's opt-out from the Charter of Rights is leakyThis time, all but one of the EU's member states are having the treaty ratified in parliament, which is less likely to cause an upset than holding a referendum.
Ireland is the only country committed to holding a referendum. That will take place in late May or early June 2008.
Although Irish voters rejected the Nice Treaty in 2001, most political parties in the country have given their backing to the new document and a "No" vote is thought unlikely.
Denmark had been planning to have a referendum on the constitution, but Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said that it would not be necessary to have a vote on the treaty because a government investigation had concluded no transfer of sovereignty was involved.
Will the Lisbon Treaty transfer powers from national governments to the EU?
Although the Danish government would say there is no transfer of sovereignty, opinions differ.
The EU exists by virtue of the fact that countries agree to pool sovereignty in certain areas.
The new treaty deepens co-operation in some areas, and extends it to new areas.
Does the Charter of Fundamental Rights feature in the new treaty?
No. There is a reference to it, making it legally binding, but the full text does not appear, even in an annex.
The UK has secured a written guarantee that the charter cannot be used by the European Court to alter British labour law, or other laws that deal with social rights. However, experts are divided on how effective this will be.
Q&A: Charter of Fundamental Rights
Are any countries seeking opt-outs?
Ireland and the UK currently have an opt-out from European policies concerning asylum, visas and immigration. Under the new treaty they will have the right to opt in or out of any policies in the entire field of justice and home affairs.
Poland is also due to sign up to the guarantees on the Charter of Fundamental Rights negotiated by the UK.
Denmark will continue with its existing opt-out from justice and home affairs, but will gain the right under the new treaty to opt for the pick-and-choose system.
Mr Rasmussen has announced that a referendum will be held during the lifetime of the existing parliament on scrapping his country's opt-outs.
Which countries have ratified the Lisbon Treaty so far?
Hungary's parliament was first to endorse the treaty. Malta, Slovenia, Romania and France have also done so.
When will the new treaty kick in?
The treaty should come into force in 2009 but different parts will take effect at different times:
The High Representative on foreign affairs could start work by late 2008, as long as the treaty has been ratified
The new-look European Parliament would not appear until after the European elections in June 2009. In fact, that poll will be seen partly as an endorsement of the new arrangements
The new president of the European Council could also start work at that point
Although a new commission will be chosen in 2009, its size may not be slimmed down until 2014
Some extensions of qualified majority voting (QMV) in the European Council are already in place, such as the appointment of the commission president and the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy - but Poland's objections over voting weights mean the redistribution of votes will not come in until after 2014
Some of the higher profile aspects of the treaty could begin to appear by the end of 2008 but it could be 10 years before the process is complete.

Source BBC News

Todays Funeral procession Thursday 27/3/2008

May Allah shower Mercy on the young souls.

نتقدم بالتعازي الحارة لذوي المفقودين وانا لله وانا اليه راجعون.

Ireland has been shocked to learn that "IMAN AYADI & AYAH ALZUBER" died in the tragic accident that happened on the way to Galway for a trip for young girls.

The Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty: public meeting (April 2, Dublin)
The Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty will be held in the next couple of months. Do you know what is in the Treaty? If you talk to people in your organisation, do you know what to say to them if you are asked questions? Have you questions about the Treaty?If you would like to make sure you know the Treaty, come along to Labour Women's Open Meeting to ask the questions and get the answers. When the day of the Referendum comes, make an informed decision. Know the Treaty. The Lisbon TreatyEurope – What’s It All About?‘Women ask the questions’What does the Treaty mean for women?What does the Treaty say about my family, our jobs, the environment?What will change?I want to know the Treaty.Labour Women Open EventWed 2nd April (11am-1pm)European Building, Molesworth St Dublin 2Speakers: Brigid Laffan UCDJoe Costello TDParty Leader Eamon Gilmore TDChair: Cllr Niamh BhreathnachEveryone welcome!Make up your mind about the Treaty –
Be informed!

Source: Active link

Immigration Bill 2008 Objection to the lot

to: Ronan.Lenihan

THE MUSLIM LOBBY IRELAND

themuslimlobby@yahoo.ie

Immigration Bill 2008

Commenting on this bill was a nightmare experience and a blow to the Constitutional rights of the Irish citizen.It is not too late to make amendments and address issues of interest.

The Muslim Lobby Ireland would like to remind the Fianna Fail party and Junior Minister Conor Lenihan TD to whom we pledged support and voted for in the 2007 election, that he promised to help immigrants not make life hell for them in Ireland.

We are demanding that Fianna Fail fulfil their responsibility for integration by stopping this Bill or seriously amending it, which further discriminates against non nationals in the State.

The Bill requires foreign nationals who are legally resident in the State to carry new permit cards. This is an infringement of civil liberties, and this will not give a chance for the integration of non nationals, as it acts as a discriminatory measure.

What the Bill should do, is to deal with irregular immigrants with tough measures without breaching the UN refugee and human rights conventions. This Government has called for a visa amnesty for those Irish immigrants who are under similar circumstances in other parts of the world, like those in the USA. Would they like to see these Irish citizens, being dealt with as harshly as this Bill proposes to deal with irregular immigrants in Ireland?

The Bill is "aimed at cutting down the opportunity for marriages of convenience for immigration purposes." Restrictions on marriage might bring hardship to both foreign and native people wishing to marry partners of their own choice.

Difficulties to immigrants and their families

The Bill, gives wide-ranging powers of arrest and detention to a member of the Garda Siochána of an immigrant failing to make reasonable efforts to establish his or her true identity.This is contrary to the human right conventions.

Landing in the State and applying for asylum is a right of any asylum seeker. People should not be sent to a country where their lives or liberty would be in danger, without an opportunity to claim protection.

Family Reunification:

The new bill will seriously limit the freedom of Irish citizens to marry non-EU nationals and bring their spouses into the country.Family members in the State should be granted residency rights.

Ireland is the only member of the EU not to have primary legislation covering this issue of family reunification on the human and constitutional rights of migrants and their family members.

Those who come to live, work and pay taxes in Ireland should be entitled to family reunion as people who deserve to have a normal family life. This is in accordance with removing isolation and suffering, which act as barriers to integration.

The fact that the Minister has the power to deport a person from Ireland without any right of appeal, is in itself is a breach of the constitutional and UN convention rights for asylum seekers. You might as well open a Guantanamo detention centre in Ireland and import the Americans to torture detainees and interrogate them.

This is utterly not right.We ask the Minister to consider seriously changing such displacement of the law.

Appeals:

We draw the Minister's attention that the right of appeal is granted for every human to be heard again, if he/she feels unjustly treated. An appeal mechanism should be initiated through an independent appeals body for all immigration and asylum-related applications.Also victims of exploitation and human trafficking should be addressed in a humane manner, bearing in mind people never flee their country unless they have genuine political or economical or social problems.

Powers to remove detainees

The Muslim Lobby Ireland, is outraged with regard to the power given to the Gardai to detain asylum seekers in centres and police stations.This can give Ireland a bad image internationally. It can also prevent Ireland meeting its international human rights obligations, in particular to those seeking protection, from current war zones, natural disasters and persecution.

The power concentrated in the hands of the Minister and the Gardai is beyond reasonable standards.

Most legal immigrants, (those with status and still seeking status) are law abiding and trying their hardest to make the best of the chance which has been given to them, (refugee status or otherwise) to piece their life together again. Therefore, not much threat actually comes from such people. Hence the safety and security of the State is preserved. There is no excuse to extradite a person on security grounds unless substantial evidence is at hand.With this Bill the legal principle 'innocent until proven guilty' is not substantiated, as an asylum seeker may be deported on the basis of unfounded allegations that are made against them.Also, the Bill states that an individual who has been 'charged with any crime or offence' can be deported, giving more power to the Minister and Gardai.Reading between the lines of section 5 of the Bill suspicion alone may give adequate reason for the arrest and detention of non nationals. This is contrary to the 1948 UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Breaching constitutional rights:

The Bill can give more power to those officials in government to abuse the law. Also the Bill infringes on the constitutional rights of the native Irish citizen in their choice of who they would like to marry. The implementation of the Bill would also incur additional costs over what the immigration process cost is now.

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