Results 7,421-7,440 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: However, I must reflect further on this and I am grateful to Senator Henry for raising the issue. I cannot accept amendments along those lines now.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: With regard to the proposal that the Oireachtas and not the Government should decide the contracts, the Attorney General's office advises that a decision in this regard is most suited to the Executive. Amendments Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, insert additional conditions on the performance of functions by a prison custody officer, including that he or she must demonstrate respect, ensure the...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is middle ground between myself and the Senator. Section 6(7)(b) states that a condition of the certificate is that the custody officer complies "with the provisions of this Act and any prison rules relating to the treatment of prisoners in custody". I can apply any rules I want in the area to guarantee the safety and welfare of prisoners. It is not as if they are excluded from the...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Custody officers must receive training, as appropriate, under the legislation. Every prison custody officer will not have to be a fully trained psychiatric nurse.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It depends. For example, a prisoner suffering from schizophrenia could be moved from a prison to a psychiatric hospital and it may not be appropriate or practical to have him or her accompanied by an officer with psychiatric training. We cannot have a situation in which someone cannot be moved and must be left untreated because a person with psychiatric training is unavailable at the time....

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: No.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not propose to impose upon the custody officers a degree of training or skills that I would not impose on an ordinary prison officer asked to do the same function. No additional danger is posed by the fact that a person is being dealt with by a prisoner custody officer rather than by an ordinary prison officer. Section 6(6)(c) requires that the person "has undergone such course of...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Amendment No. 11 proposes that the definition of "applicant" would also include a person who makes an application for a certificate on behalf of another person. The current definition makes it clear that "applicant" includes a person who applies for a certificate and a person on whose behalf someone else applies for a certificate. The original wording is broad enough to address an applicant....

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will not accept the amendment. During the course of the debate on the Garda Síochána Act in the Lower House, Deputy Jim O'Keeffe pointed out that the phrase "the Garda Síochána" was used extensively in the original 1920s legislation. He stated that what was good enough for Kevin O'Higgins was good enough for him, which will have a strong effect on Senator Cummins.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Services: Garda Vetting Services (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the processing time within the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) in respect of valid applications for Garda vetting received from the Health Service Executive (HSE) is four weeks. Any further time frame involved in the filling of posts for which vetting is required is solely a matter for the recruiting organisations, which are aware of this Garda...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the auctioneering profession is currently regulated under the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts 1947 to 1973. Following from the recommendations of the Auctioneering/ Estate Agency Review Group, work is underway on new legislation, the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill, which will modernise the regulatory framework in this area and extend it to...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: In relation to the specific matter raised by the Deputy, there are no current plans to proceed along the lines proposed. As I have stated in the past, the Government is committed to developing North/South co-operation across a full spectrum of areas and we will continue to promote closer cooperation between the two jurisdictions wherever it will prove beneficial to the people of this island....

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority was established as and from 4 November, 2006. The Property Registration Authority replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the...

Written Answers — Rural Policing Initiative: Rural Policing Initiative (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have asked the Commissioner for an update on the matter referred to and I will forward it to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Garda Youth Diversion Projects are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development and promote civic responsibility. The Garda Youth Diversion Projects are funded by my Department and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the deputy was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 15th November, 2006. A decision in respect of the application in question will be made in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 23rd October, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 8th November, 2006. The application was refused on the grounds that it is not general policy to permit any person, whether related or not, to join or visit any persons who have been granted residency in the State...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in the period from 1 July to 22 November 2006 there were 8 summonses and 10 fixed charge penalty notices issued in respect of breaches of the three tonne limit on Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown. During this period there were thirty convictions in relation to the breach of the three tonne limit at this location. It will be appreciated that...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Nov 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 the 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 — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Nov 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 the 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...