Results 7,921-7,940 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table shows the number of murder offences recorded, detected, proceedings commenced and convictions, where a firearm was used, for the years 1998 to 2005 and in 2006 up to 2 November. All killings regardless of the circumstances involved are the subject of a rigorous investigation by the Garda authorities. The identification of the motive and...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Annual Report for 2005 of the Comptroller and Auditor General includes a chapter on the acquisition of a Site for Prison Development. The Department of Finance granted sanction for the acquisition of the site on the condition that procurement guidelines were followed. Contrary to the implications of the Deputy's question all the relevant procurement guidelines were followed by my...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that training and education programmes in St. Patrick's Institution are almost non-existent. On the contrary, there are a number of workshops currently in operation — covering Woodwork and Joinery; Computer Training; Industrial Cleaning and Industrial Skills. A Metal Workshop is also due to open soon. Some young persons also work in the kitchen and...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Tender documentation have been issued to the candidates short-listed to compete for the design, construction, finance and maintenance of the prison development at Thornton Hall. It is intended that work should commence in 2007 and is expected to be completed within 3 years. The precise date for completion of the project forms part of the tender process. In relation to the estimated cost of...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 152 together. I understand that the Working Group on Domestic Partnership is finalising the Options Paper for submission to me in the coming weeks. Following its receipt, I intend to bring the Options Paper to Government with a view to early publication.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: An Assistant Commissioner has been appointed to assess the impact of the Report's recommendations for An Garda Síochána, with a view to recommending remedial action where necessary. An analysis of the processes employed during the interviews of the person referred to is also being carried out. Following a review of the original investigation by an Assistant Commissioner, a number of...

Written Answers — European Court Judgments: European Court Judgments (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 189 and 190 together. My Department has consulted with the Office of the Attorney General and with the Department of Finance about the implications of the judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the case referred to by the Deputies. As the Deputies will appreciate, under EU law, indirect discrimination on the ground of sex, in issues relating...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Gardaí at Coolock Garda Station are investigating the death of the person referred to and have arrested a number of persons in connection with the incident. An investigation file has been completed and submitted to the Law Officers. To date no person has been charged in connection with the death of the person referred to.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The provision of services to the Thornton Hall site to service the prison development has been the subject of detailed discussions between the relevant officials at Fingal County Council and the Irish Prison Service and its technical advisors. Discussions have also been held with the various utilities including the Electricity Supply Board. Arising from these discussions, agreement in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that despite the high level of enforcement activity by An Garda Síochána, as evidenced by the number of arrests for drink driving over the October Bank Holiday week-end, there still exists a hardcore element in our society who persist in engaging in drink driving. An Garda Síochána will continue this high level of enforcement activity, through the...

Written Answers — Departmental Procedures: Departmental Procedures (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 154 of 3 October, 2006 in which I referred to a conference due to be held on 6 October 2006 in compliance with recommendation no 16 of the examination into the Attorney General's Office by an official from the Department of Finance. An official from my Department attended that conference and, as a follow up to it, discussions are taking...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Office of Public Works will shortly be publishing a planning notice in respect of the construction of a bridge to facilitate the development of the prison facilities on the island. The construction of the bridge, which will be followed by the prison development on the island, is scheduled to commence in 2007.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department approved funding in 2004 to the Institute of Criminology at UCD for research on sentencing under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. The research report was recently received by my Department and its findings are being considered by the Internet Advisory Board. I am informed by the Garda authorities that in all cases where criminal activity is alleged the matter is...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, amendments to the Children Act 2001, introduced in the Criminal Justice Act 2006, effectively raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 7 years to 12 years, in all but the most serious cases, and this provision was commenced on 16 October 2006. In the preparation of the recent legislation on the matter, careful consideration was given to getting the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I made a speech in Limerick concerning rebalancing criminal justice arose from concerns that the rights of the prosecution and the rights of the defence be evenly balanced. Having regard to the major changes which our society has undergone in recent years I consider that the principles underpinning our criminal justice system, while having largely served us well, were developed in a different...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 3 October, 2006.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since my announcement of a special €5M Integration Fund to help integrate legally- resident immigrants, my Department has established a variety of schemes and initiatives for its effective dispersal. A total of €2M has been allocated to local partnerships working on locally-based initiatives and a further €1M to national and regional NGOs working in the relevant area. The funding is...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The total number of applicants for the Garda Reserve at 6 November was 7,125. The first interviews were held in September and involved 374 candidates. The first group of 37 trainees commenced phase one training in Templemore on 30 September 2006. They are currently in phase two of their training and are expected to complete their training in December. Of those interviewed in September, not...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 218 together. 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...

Written Answers — Restorative Justice: Restorative Justice (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that proposals for the establishment of a working group to review restorative justice nationally and internationally were received from the Probation Service on 2 November, 2006. The terms of reference and composition of the group are currently being considered. I would hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly.