Results 9,661-9,680 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the allegations in question. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware from a considerable volume of correspondence that both families wish to meet with me to demand separate independent inquiries into the tragic deaths of their sons — deaths which were unrelated save for the fact that both occurred following detention in Garda custody. With regard to the first family I have read the Garda investigation file in the matter and the Director of Public...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) was established in January 2002 to deal with the then known demand for vetting applications. From a child protection perspective, the Unit processes vetting requests in respect of the following: —prospective employees of the Health Service Executive (HSE); —prospective employees of certain agencies funded by the HSE; —childcare places funded by the...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Síochána are allowed to drive official vehicles in two circumstances: (a) they hold at least a class "B" Driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the Chief Superintendent or (b) they have completed an official driving course. Members on provisional licences are not permitted to drive official vehicles. Divisional...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As already indicated in my answer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 491 and 494 on 30 May 2006, in discussions held with my officials at the request of a body called the Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland, representing a number of casino-style operations, the following views and proposals were conveyed in clear terms to that Association. Public policy in the matter of casino gambling in...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have recently approved the application for naturalisation of the person in question. A letter is due to issue to him in the next few days informing him of my decision and the procedures that need to be finalised before a certificate of naturalisation can issue.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are two Ministers of State attached to my Department. Minister of State Frank Fahey, T.D. was appointed by the Government on 29 September, 2004 with responsibility for equality matters, particularly disability. There is no Statutory Instrument in this regard. Powers and duties were delegated to Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D. under S.I. Number 474 of 2002. However, as the Deputy is aware, a New...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána rose to a record 12,641 on 8 June 2006 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...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 to 347, inclusive, together. Headline crime statistics for 2002 to 2005 for the Garda Division of North Cork, which includes the Garda District of Fermoy, are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Death of Former Taoiseach: Expressions of Sympathy. (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I join other speakers in remembering and doing honour to the memory of Charles Haughey who died this morning after battling bravely with a relentless and mortal illness. I convey on behalf of all my party colleagues to his son Seán, our parliamentary colleague, our fondest and heartfelt sympathy on the passing of his father. Although circumstances of...

Mental Health Services. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thank Deputy Wall for raising the issue and I assure him I will bring his remarks to the attention of the Tánaiste. The management and delivery of services at Clonree House is primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive. The HSE has informed the Department of Health and Children that Clonree House opened in December 2005 to facilitate the refurbishment of another residential...

Graffiti Offences. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am standing in for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, but I agree with every word the Deputy stated. Our response to graffiti has not been adequate to date and serious action must be taken on it. The constituency Deputy Gormley and I share has been under sustained attack in recent times. It seems to be spreading everywhere. I will...

Written Answers — Criminal Sentences: Criminal Sentences (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service — which is responsible for the day to day management of the courts — is independent in the performance of its functions. I am responsible for ensuring that the Service is adequately funded and resourced and, in this regard, €111.8m is provided for that organisation in 2006. Having regard to the compilation of a database of...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The inter-departmental group which is examining Irish language training for Garda recruits has met formally on two occasions. However, its members have also been in continuing informal contact on the issues under discussion. The Garda Commissioner had also established a working group to examine the teaching of Irish in the Garda College. I am advised that the two groups have liaised closely...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that policing operations and the deployment of Garda resources are matters for the Garda authorities. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within divisions on a priority basis in accordance with overall policing requirements. However, I am, of course, in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner in order to keep the measures...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: In March 2005, I established a new Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime to devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future and to disburse funding for victim support measures. The Commission is entirely independent in its decision making and examines each application on its merits. The Commission received an application from the Missing in Ireland...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 9 May 2006, my Government colleague, Mr. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D. Minister for State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government responded on my behalf to an Adjournment matter by the Deputy in relation to this case. The response is on the record of this House. In that response, I explained that the processing time was primarily as a result of the increase in the volume of...

Written Answers — State Pathologist's Office: State Pathologist's Office (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, I have already signalled the fact that I am exploring a number of possibilities aimed at further enhancing the services provided by the State Pathologist's Office. This exercise, which is taking place in consultation with the Chief State Pathologist, is in train at the moment and until such time as I have made a decision in this matter it would be premature to say...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that I share the view expressed by the Chief Justice in April last that hastily-prepared legislation can sometimes lead to difficulties, among them the fact adverted to by the Chief Justice on the same occasion that it may be necessary for the Courts to interpret such legislation. It is one of the aims of the process of developing legislation within my Department in...

Written Answers — Legal Protection Measures: Legal Protection Measures (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, sections 18 and 20 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 make statutory provision in relation to the justifiable use of force in order to protect a person or property or to prevent a crime. Section 18 sets out the various purposes for which justifiable force may be lawfully used and not constitute an offence. The force used must be reasonable by...