Results 9,001-9,020 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 16 June 2006, the European Commission adopted a Communication containing a proposal for an authorisation by the Council to open negotiations for a new agreement with the US on the use of passenger name records. This proposal was subsequently adopted by the Council of Ministers on 27 June. Arrangements are currently being made for the relevant negotiations to commence shortly.

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of Wednesday 31 May, 2006.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The numbers of headline offences, by group, committed by persons on bail for years 2004 and 2005 are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. I am further informed that 2004 was the first year information relating to the offences committed by persons on bail was published. Comparable statistics for years prior to 2004 are not...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I have been...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that an operation to target drug dealing within Dublin's north inner city has been extended by local Garda management to include the specific area referred to by the Deputy. This operation includes both uniformed and plain clothes Gardaí. Since the start of this operation, three people have been arrested for the possession of drugs for sale or...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The public office in Burgh Quay houses the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and the Visa Office, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. The Deputy in his question may be mixing up the functions of the two offices. The responsibility for the issuing of re-entry visas lies with the Visa section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service who took over this role from the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy, insofar as it relates to projects funded from my Department's own Vote is set out as follows. As can be seen from the details supplied, these projects relate to important public policy issues and services rather than the provision of public relations advice to myself in any personal capacity. The Deputy will see from the table below that disability...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 to 404, inclusive, together. The staffing of my constituency and private office and that of my Minister of State Mr. Frank Fahey T.D. is set out in the following table. Civil Servants Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Michael McDowell. T.D. Minister of State Mr. Frank Fahey T.D. Private Office Constituency Office Private Office...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below (with the exception of the year 2002 for which a total figure is not available in the time provided). This expenditure relates to notifications on matters of important public interest as well as awareness raising measures spanning the broad range of activities and programmes underway in my Department. Notably, for example, total...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no role in the prosecution of offences and information on the reasons for the adjournment of cases is not, therefore, available to me. With regard to the Deputy's request for the number of cases which have been adjourned since 2000 and the dates of their adjournment, the Courts...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: It would appear from the information supplied by the Deputy that a Coroner's inquest has been held in this case. The Coroner's function in this regard is an independent, quasi-judicial one and the Minister has no role in this process. Insofar as the authorisation of an exhumation is concerned, the position is set out in section 47(1) of the Coroners Act, 1962. This provides that the Minister,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is referring to the recent appearance by the Secretary General of my Department accompanied by the Director General of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and other officials before the Public Accounts Committee which was reviewing the Appropriation Accounts for 2004 and the C&AG's report thereon including a review of the cost of deportations of failed asylum seekers...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since 1970, Fine Gael and the Labour Party have governed together for 12 years out of the 35. There have been just five years when real income per head in Ireland fell. In every one of those periods Fine Gael and the Labour Party were in government together. Fine Gael and the Labour Party equal slump. That is the fundamental equation of Irish politics. Anybody with any memory knows that Fine...

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: When one adds to Fine Gael and the Labour Party, the Green Party, Deputies Joe Higgins, Cowley, Gregory, Finian McGrath, Healy and others, it would be a recipe for a major slump. When we have Deputy Kenny's Stan Laurel and Deputy Rabbitte's Oliver Hardy, this is another fine mess into which they hope to get the people.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: A slump coalition of Fine Gael and the Labour Party would mean increased unemployment. When the rainbow coalition left office in 1997, unemployment stood at a figure of 10.9%.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is what the Labour Party and Fine Gael stand for.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I want to discuss the cohesion of the Opposition. As the Taoiseach has noted, last week Fine Gael introduced the Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2006 and Labour Party Deputies sat squirming with embarrassment because they knew it was a stunt.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: On the question of the age of consent, Fine Gael and the Labour Party are sharply divided.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Let us turn to tonight's business, defence and neutrality. Fine Gael wants a European defence capability but the Labour Party and the Green Party do not agree. A Fine Gael candidate in my constituency wants a European army.

Government Record: Motion. (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: On the question of neutrality, does Deputy Kenny propose to give the Labour Party and the Green Party a double veto on the triple lock?