Results 6,141-6,160 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware the Garda Town Centre CCTV system in Finglas is to consist of nine cameras. It was initially hoped that the monitoring equipment for this system could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station, however a problem arose regarding the provision of suitable space to accommodate the equipment. This is currently being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Public Sector Transfer Network provides that, in the case of transfers to and from certain groups with enhanced superannuation terms, i.e. An Garda Síochána and the Prisons Service, a system of "uniform accrual" must operate. Groups with enhanced superannuation terms are those where service in excess 20 years is doubled, so that 30 years actual pensionable service equates to 40 years...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I thank Members for their contribution to this debate, during which some significant issues have been raised. I propose to deal with a few of them. As for the ratio of judges, Ireland is one of only four common law states within the European Union. The definition of a judge in a civil law state such as Spain or Italy differs greatly from the Irish definition. Judges in such countries are...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: On the other hand, had I introduced a Bill this evening to the effect that the maximum number of judges of the High Court would be 100, I would have received a sceptical reception from Opposition Members. They would have asked the purpose of the Bill and whether I intended to fill the posts when I thought it appropriate, without informing them. This cuts both ways. I am unsure whether I...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Whenever I have had the opportunity, I have stated that I believe our independent Judiciary is of enormous importance.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is perfectly open to Opposition Members to express their views on the adequacy or otherwise of sentencing. They do so frequently and Deputy Gregory probably does so as often as a clock strikes. Equally however, it is also open to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, if he or she thinks that sentencing policy in any area is mistaken, to say so in public. I do not accept the...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: That is a different matter. They are independent under the Constitution. It is up to themselves——

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Lynch's intervention ignores the fact that it is probably the case the Government is criticised from the bench again with the regularity of a clock striking. I personally have been criticised from the bench. I do not get in a huff about it. I just get on with it.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe stated I should avail of my reply to comment on points made during the six o'clock news today. I want him to know I had no hand, act or part in the arrests made today. I did not make any complaint to the authorities on this matter and I did not cause any investigation to take place.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: To briefly reply to Deputy Ó Snodaigh it is my intention to fill all of these vacancies as soon as may be. I understand the judicial appointments advisory board will meet shortly and a panel of suitable people will be available for selection.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Arising from that, my instinct was exactly the same as the Deputy's but the draftspeople in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel told me I was wrong. Being humble as I always am I accepted their advice.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As I stated in my opening speech on Second Stage, the plan is not to have the extra District Court judges assigned to a particular district. The reason for this is to allow them to be effectively deployable at the insistence of the President of the District Court for the sake of flexibility. The districts and their number are currently the subject matter of a proposal to redraw them....

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: With regard to the proposal to include a reference to Part 3 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, I am advised this would be inappropriate. I do not know why. Part 3 of the 2004 Act refers to court funds and a range of miscellaneous matters. Only one of the 23 sections in Part 3 refers to judicial appointments and this is being replaced. Accordingly, I would not accept the amendment.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Whenever legislation is being put through the Houses, one's instincts can make us wonder why we are not taking a certain action. The Parliamentary Counsel always seems to have an answer. On the odd occasion I try to overrule the advice I am given and on the few occasions I have done it the train has come off the rails. It is better to stick to mother's apron strings on such matters.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am very grateful to the officials in my Department who worked on the Bill. I am also very grateful to the presidents of the respective courts for their advice given to me about numbers for appointments. I express my gratitude to the Parliamentary Counsel for the hard work done on the Bill to the usual high professional standards.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The maximum number of ordinary judges of each court is prescribed by law and can only be altered by way of primary legislation. Legislation currently provides that the number of ordinary judges of the High Court shall not be more than 31. When I use the term "ordinary judges" I am referring to judges other than the President of the court in...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: They are on their way.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: No, Deputy. It is not an apology. The statement I have just made is for the record of the House because it is important that when one has an opportunity to talk about the Judiciary without being interrupted, without being misquoted and without being selectively quoted, that one tells the truth. In the case of the Circuit Court, cases are becoming more complex and as a consequence they are...