Results 5,961-5,980 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the allegation that Gardaí leaked information to the media in this case was fully investigated by Superintendent E.P. MacEoin. The High Court's determination was critical of the Garda Síochána but was not definitive in relation to any specified individual member of the Garda Síochána. Notwithstanding the High Court's decision there was...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 72 together. On 13 February 2007 I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice Bill 2007. This legislation is being brought forward to counter the threat posed by crime gangs which, as I have repeatedly stated, represents one of the most significant threats to our society since the advent of the paramilitaries in the 1970s. It is against that...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 33 together. Garda Youth Diversion Projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved or further involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission: Garda Ombudsman Commission (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 43 together. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioners were appointed by the President on the 10th February 2006, following nomination by the Government and recommendations by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Garda Ombudsman Commission is planning to commence operations in May 2007. In order to meet this deadline, the Commission is now engaged in...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Yesterday I received the report from the Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate into the review of practices and procedures for certain types of incidents. The Report sets out a number of recommendations for dealing with such incidents. The report is being considered by my Department and I have forwarded a copy to the Garda Commissioner.

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As papers relating to the seizure of drugs referred to in the Deputy's question are before the Director of Public Prosecutions at present, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 1 of today's date.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Any interpretation of the crime figures has to factor in the increase in population. In 1995, with a population of 3.6 million, there were 28.5 crimes per 1,000 of the population. In 2006, with a population of over 4.2 million, there were 24.5 crimes per 1,000 of the population, a significant reduction by any standard. During the two full years of the Rainbow Coalition Government (1995 and...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Public satisfaction with An Garda Síochána in Ireland is significantly higher than in other countries, higher than the PSNI, higher than any UK police service and higher than in any EU country. National surveys of public attitudes to the Garda Síochána, satisfaction with service and policing priorities have been carried out every year since 1999. The Garda Annual Policing Plan 2006...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Assistant Commissioner has been appointed to assess the impact of the recommendations of the report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case for An Garda Síochána with a view to recommending remedial action where necessary. This assessment is ongoing at present and is nearing completion. I am informed that the Commissioner is expecting to receive a report on the matter...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation into the murders of the persons referred to are ongoing. I am further informed that an investigation file has not been forwarded to the Law Officers at this time. The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further as there is an ongoing Garda investigation.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Government Legislation Programme published on 30 January provides for publication of the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill in 2007. Pending enactment of the legislation, I have established an Implementation Group to assist and advise on practical matters relating to the new body and to prepare for the new licensing system. A Chief Executive designate has also been appointed...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The subject matter of this question is before the courts and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 79 of 7 December, 2006 where I outline in detail the progress made under the National Action Plan Against Racism (NPAR) since its launch in January 2005. I am sure that the Deputy will agree that considerable progress has been made under all of the key objectives of the intercultural framework underpinning the NPAR: Protection,...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The recommendation in question of the Irish Human Rights Commission is based on the premise that our existing law on the temporary release of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. There has been no specific finding of a court to this effect and my advice is that premise is questionable. The question of the compatibility of our...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation into the murder of the person in question remains ongoing. I am further informed that this investigation involves local Garda resources supplemented and assisted by resources from national Garda units, as well as close liaison with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 55 together. Operation Anvil commenced in the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) on 17 May, 2005. It is an intelligence led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and...

Written Answers — Recidivism Rate: Recidivism Rate (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the findings of the recent research by the Institute of Criminology in University College Dublin to which the Deputy refers. I can inform the Deputy that the Researchers received the full co-operation of the Irish Prison Services in carrying out the research. The findings are in line with international experience, and I understand that they may in fact be considered to fall in the...

Written Answers — National Women's Strategy: National Women's Strategy (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 47 together. The National Women's Strategy is currently being finalised with a view to bringing it to Government shortly, and, in this regard, the target date for publication of the Strategy is by end of March 2007. While the preparation of the Strategy has been time-consuming, it has involved a significant amount of research and consultation with a...

Written Answers — Prison Redevelopment: Prison Redevelopment (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Approximately 21 acres of land was sold to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in 2005. Prison Service Officials were at the time informed by the Council that it had no interest in the remaining 6.3 acres including the buildings, which were subsequently sold by public tender competition in October, 2006 to Castlethorn Construction for €20.6m. Following the disposal of the 6.3 acres the...