Results 8,461-8,480 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Banking Sector Security: Banking Sector Security (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The recent incident in which a bank worker and her family were held captive and forced to assist in the robbery of a bank in Coolock is the second such incident in recent months and this is clearly a cause for concern. In my meetings with representatives of the banking and security industries this year I have made it clear that I expect the highest security standards to be adhered to by...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government places a high priority on putting in place measures aimed at tackling crimes of rape, sexual assault and other crimes of a sexual nature. The provisional headline crime statistics for the second quarter of 2006 show sexual offences generally decreased by 28% for the quarter compared to the second quarter of 2005 and 10% for the twelve months up to 30 June compared to the same...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173, 197 and 200 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda management analyses available intelligence and selects targets involved in serious criminal activity, particularly gun-related crime. Intelligence-led operations against targets are used by Garda management to combat this type of criminal activity on an ongoing basis. This involves...

Written Answers — Departmental Documents: Departmental Documents (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The total cost to design and produce the document was €16,134.14, inclusive of VAT. Copies of the document, were distributed to all members of the Oireachtas, each County Council Member in Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Meath County Council and other interested parties.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 183 together. As I stated at the time of the Barr Report's publication, it is important that we learn whatever lessons we can from the tragic death of John Carthy. In this regard, and in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, I have forwarded a copy of the Report to the Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate, Ms Kathleen O'Toole. In the...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have agreed a restructuring of the Probation Service. Following an open competition a new Director was appointed in September, 2005. To support the Director and strengthen the management of the Service a new senior management structure for the Service has now been put in place comprising three Deputy Directors and 2 Assistant Deputy Directors. Further work is ongoing to enhance the IT...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 207 together. The publication of the third fourth and fifth reports of the Morris Tribunal underlined the absolute necessity for the Government to continue to implement its radical reform programme for An Garda Síochána. This reform process had its origins in the publication of the Garda Síochána Bill in 2003. Nothing in the latest Morris reports...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 187 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that at present, there are 87 Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers and 8 Juvenile Liaison Officer Sergeants working in various Divisions throughout the country. In addition to this, the National Juvenile Office has...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am actively pursuing the only viable long term remedy to the problems to which the Deputy refers, through constructing new prison facilities in Dublin and Munster. I hope that I can have the support of the Deputy and his colleagues in this regard. The new facilities will, in addition, offer significant improvements in the areas of work training, education and medical services as well as...

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach and I met representatives of the Stardust Victims Committee on 18 September. The purpose of the meeting was to hear from the Committee regarding the detailed submission made by them during the summer, in which they set out their case for a new public inquiry into the tragedy. We emphasised that we did not wish to finalise our thinking on this issue...

Written Answers — Register of Sex Offenders: Register of Sex Offenders (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Sex Offenders Act, 2001 sets out the obligations on persons convicted of a range of sexual offences. A convicted sex offender must notify his/her name(s), date of birth and current home address to the Garda Síochána within seven days of the conviction for the sexual offence concerned or, where the offender is sentenced to imprisonment, from the date of full release from prison....

Written Answers — Chief State Pathologist's Office: Chief State Pathologist's Office (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am continuing to consider a number of options aimed at further enhancing the services provided by the State Pathologist's office, in consultation with the State Pathologist, and have recently received approval for the appointment of a second Deputy State Pathologist, so as to provide additional capacity for the office.

Written Answers — Riachtanas Gaeilge: Riachtanas Gaeilge (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Níl cinneadh déanta fós ag an ngrúpa oibre idir-rannach a bunaíodh chun féachaint le cur chuige oiriúnach a mholadh ó thaobh riachtanas Gaeilge i gcóras oiliúna an Gharda Síochána de. Chuir údaráis na nGardaí in iúl dom, áfach, go bhfuil an grúpa oibre a bunaíodh i gColáiste na nGardaí chun an cúrsa Gaeilge a fhorbairt le haghaidh Gardaí faoi Oiliúint tar éis a chuid...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department recognises the enormous challenges facing Irish society today as a result of the major demographic changes that have occurred in recent years. These challenges are particularly acute since these changes have not been gradual. Indeed, recent statistics indicate that newcomers may now account for up to 10% of the population. As part of the response to these changes, in 2005 I...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Government Ministers and others pursuant to a long standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, 13 Government Ministers, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, Former Taoisigh & Presidents. Factors such as fuel efficiency and safety are taken...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The introduction of a reciprocal system of recognising penalty points awarded to motorists in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland is a matter for the licensing authorities in both jurisdictions, the Department of Transport in this jurisdiction and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland. I am informed that the Minister for Transport has agreed with the UK Minister for State for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can confirm that my Department's decentralisation programme is firmly on target. The Private Security Authority and the Garda Central Vetting Unit are operational in Tipperary town and Thurles respectively. Further advance moves from Garda HQ are planned for Thurles for the first half of 2007. The Land Registry has recently opened an office in Roscommon town and the Office of the Data...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the murder of the person referred to is being investigated. A number of persons have been arrested in connection with this incident. I am further informed that an investigation file has been completed and submitted to the Law Officers. To date no person has been charged in connection with this incident. As this is an ongoing Garda...

Written Answers — Parental Leave Provisions: Parental Leave Provisions (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006, which was enacted on 18 May last, amends the Parental Leave Act 1998 to implement agreed recommendations in the Report of the Working Group on the Review of the Parental Leave Act 1998. It also implements an increase in the maximum age limit of an eligible child to 8 years, agreed subsequent to the publication of the Report in the context of the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the total number of murder offences where a firearm was used, recorded, detected, proceedings commenced and convictions for the years 1998 to 2005 and up to 1 October, 2006. While no level of murder is acceptable, it should be noted that Ireland has one of the lowest murder rates in the western world. For example, the...