Results 5,521-5,540 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 64 evidential breath testing instruments (intoxilysers) in use in Garda stations and 439 instruments in use for road-side screening (alcometers) which are allocated on a Divisional basis as shown in the following table. Division Alcometers Intoxilysers Carlow / Kildare 19 3 Cavan / Monaghan 19 3 Clare 9 4 Cork City 24 1 Cork North...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Irish Consulate in Damascus and sent to the Irish Embassy in Cairo for processing. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 5th March, 2007. The application was refused because the Visa Officer was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant had demonstrated a...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am not in a position to answer off the top of my head as to whether the prison rules as drafted provide for it. I will undertake that we will insert a paragraph in the rules to mirror section 31(7).

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I appreciate what the Deputy is driving at. To be honest, transport vehicles could involve Garda cars and vans being inspected, and the amendment could also require the inspector to go to all the courthouses around the country to look at cells there.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Courthouse accommodation is being upgraded.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: There is no rehabilitative aspect in those courthouse cells. Most of them are now up to a good standard.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: They are very bare and temporary and are simply places where a prisoner sits for a very short period. They are not a prison and are effectively under the jurisdiction of the Courts Service. I do not want to extend the inspector's role to that particular semi-State organisation.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: There has been no undue delay in the publication of reports, with the exception of one incident where there was a disagreement on the content of the report. This was not from the perspective of its criticism but on the question of whether it was legal to be published in the form I received it. When these reports come in, it is reasonable for Department officials to read and consider them.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: They should be in a position to draw to the Minister's attention aspects of the report that are critical.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: If there is an aspect relevant to Government, the Minister should be in position to notify the Government that a particular report could have national or governmental significance. With the way bureaucracy works, a period of between eight and 12 weeks for the report to be digested and considered at the appropriate levels is reasonable. It is reasonable for the Minister also, if there is...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Sometimes the Minister might have to wait for a response. The day the report is published the Minister will be asked what the response is to it.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: If, for instance, there is an indictment of the prison system, the Minister should be in a position to have the other side of the story heard before he or she comments. One cannot just reply "I do not know" to whether an issue is right or wrong and look to find out if a matter is true or false. The public will not accept a Minister looking for time to answer such a question.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Between eight and 12 weeks is sufficient.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: There may be some particular reason. For example, there could be significant criticism of a particular governor.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: In that case, I would feel at the very least that I would have to be in a position to explain to the governor that this is coming down the tracks and that I would publish the report because it is in the public interest for it to be known. The governor would have the opportunity to tell his or her side of the story before I am asked to comment in public. This is reasonable and otherwise we...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: No, but I am just indicating the other extreme. I am not suggesting it should be done. The three-month period is the norm but I do not propose to put it into legislative form. It is a reasonable period of time and it will only be in exceptional circumstances when it will not be met. For example, there may be injunctions etc. placed against the publication of a report.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: They would be exceptional reasons. I do not want to put in place a statutory limit because it is unnecessary.

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: If there were any abuse of this or dilatory behaviour, the inspector is always in a position to indicate publicly that the Department is sitting on the reports. If the inspector makes such a statement, the Minister will be in the dog house. There is goodwill in these matters. If the inspector expects the reports to be acted on, absorbed and appreciated by the system of Government, the...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 49: In page 29, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: 36.—(1) A prisoner who, without the permission of the governor of the prison, possesses or uses a mobile telecommunications device, or a person who supplies such a device to a prisoner without such permission, is guilty of an offence and liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5,000...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: To be historical, prison rules provide for wine and so on to be sent to certain classes of prisoners. Those rules have fallen into desuetude and will be brought to an end, as the new prison rules will prohibit alcohol. There are good reasons for this, as alcohol in prisons affects the security and safety of prisoners seriously, starts rows and so on. While I take Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point...