Results 7,021-7,040 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the ten crime classifications used to show the more serious crimes (headline offences) were first introduced in the Garda Síochána Annual Report of 2000. The Deputy will be aware that, with respect to the year 2000, the Garda Síochána changed the system of crime presentation as part of the PULSE information technology project. Specifically, the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can assure the Deputy that the policy of targeting those involved in drug trafficking remains among the Government's top policing priorities. There is no question of there being any deficiency in the resources, equipment and personnel available to the Gardaí in pursuit of this priority. I wish to inform the Deputy that as proof of the Government's commitment and determination to ensure...

Written Answers — Witness Intimidation: Witness Intimidation (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table shows the number of proceedings commenced for the offence of intimidation of a witness/juror for the years 2001 to 2005. Year Proceedings Commenced 2005 21 2004 30 2003 30 2002 11 2001 6 All information or complaints in relation to alleged witness intimidation are thoroughly investigated by An Garda Síochána. Following...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that seventeen individuals have been prosecuted for money laundering offences in the past five years. In addition a number of money laundering schemes have been uncovered during Garda investigations into serious and organised criminal groupings. I am further informed that the Money Laundering Investigation Unit (MLIU) at the Garda Bureau of Fraud...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: In October 2004, I announced that I was proceeding with the Government's promise to recruit 2,000 additional Gardaí and an implementation plan to achieve that expansion was drawn up in consultation with the Commissioner. That plan envisaged a recruiting strategy that would see the combined strength of the Force reaching some 14,000 Gardaí (including trainees) by the end of 2006. The...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 97 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that strong provisions are in place to combat public order problems including anti-social behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which modernised the law in this regard. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 has also been enacted, the main purpose of which is to provide the...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my Reply to Dáil Question Number 701 of 25 April, 2006, in relation to the case of the person concerned, whereby you will note that he was transferred to the United Kingdom on 13 April, 2006. I now understand that the person concerned re-entered the State illegally, that is to say without proper papers, on or around the 28 November, 2006. He was subsequently...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. The persons in question arrived in the State on 16 April, 2003 and applied for asylum. Their application was refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The persons in question were granted temporary leave to remain in the State on...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 245 of Thursday, 25 May, 2006 (ref: 20285/06), No. 151 of Thursday, 11 May, 2006 (ref: 17743/06) and No. 326 of Thursday, 6 April, 2006 (ref: 14070/06) and the written replies to those Questions. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Applications for naturalisation from the individuals in question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 15 March 2005. Applications received in the second half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 1550 applications awaiting processing before that of the persons in question. It is likely that the processing of these applications in question...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Non-EEA nationals granted permission to remain in the State fall into one of two categories: visa and non visa required nationals. A non visa required national legally resident in the State on student conditions can seek to change their status to allow them enter employment. There are two main ways by which a non visa required national can take up employment, work permit and work...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. Long...

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The witness security programme was established in 1997 under the direct operational control and administration of the Garda Commissioner. The programme was established in response to attempts by criminal and other groups to prevent the normal functioning of the criminal justice system, including threats of violence and systematic intimidation of witnesses. Although legislation was not...

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Some €1.1 million was spent each year in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 the amount was €540,000. These sums are for large capital sums in providing new identities, housing and arrangements for the families.

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not suggest the Deputy has the wrong end of the stick. Doubtless, he will agree that it is a demand led scheme. I make funds available and if the Garda Commissioner believed four or five times that amount was necessary for the administration of criminal justice, I would find the money. There are no external constraints. The Deputy states we have not seen the fruits of the scheme, such...

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The inspectorate, under Ms Kathleen O'Toole, is another option. A review could assess how the scheme is operating and if it could be improved. I am prepared to enhance the existing statutory arrangements if more protection is needed. Statutory protection is afforded to those in the scheme but if more is necessary, I would not hesitate. The best course of action is to determine whether the...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There have been 20 murders with firearms since the beginning of this year to 6 December. There were 19 murders with firearms recorded for the same period in 2005. While any level of murder, by a firearm or otherwise, is unacceptable, it is incorrect to state there has been an upsurge in firearms murders this year. Sadly, it is roughly the same as it was last year. Operation Anvil is...