Results 9,681-9,700 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: In August 2005, I received a submission from the Garda Commissioner on the resourcing requirements of An Garda Síochána. The submission was based on the Commissioner's analysis of the policing challenges facing An Garda Síochána in the medium and longer term, including the implications of demographic change, the need to continue to combat crime and terrorist threats, and the requirements...

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

Michael McDowell: In my reply to Priority Question No. 4 on 27 April 2006, I provided a comprehensive update on the significant progress being made in relation to civilianisation. I am pleased to inform the Deputy, that in the short time since that reply was given, further significant progress has been made. There are now almost 100 staff either working or in training at the Garda Information Service Centre...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 22, 37 and 48 together. There is no doubt that recent events have highlighted communications issues between my Department and the Offices of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor. An examination of communications within the Office of the Attorney General took place some years ago that resulted in some administrative changes in that Office and...

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

Michael McDowell: I understand that on 24 May 2006, the Chief Whip's office received two separate draft private Members Bills by e-mail from the Bills Office with the request that they forward same to my Department. One of these was the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2006 and the other was the Courts (Register of Sentences) Bill 2006. The message accompanying the Bills was that Deputy Jim O'Keeffe would be...

Written Answers — Asylum Policy: Asylum Policy (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have noted the very brief comments on asylum seekers contained in the section on Ireland in Amnesty International's 2006 Report. I am strongly of the view that the State has a comprehensive asylum system in place which is both fair and transparent and compares well with other EU States. Indeed this fact was recently acknowledged by a former UNHCR Representative to Ireland who is quoted as...

Written Answers — Residency Rights: Residency Rights (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: EU Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States was transposed into Irish law on 28 April 2006. I am aware that this has resulted in the granting of more favourable conditions in certain circumstances to such persons than are presently granted to spouses/partners/family members of Irish...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that as at 31 March, 2006 there were 95 Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) working in the various Divisions throughout the country. JLOs are responsible for implementing the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme, which provides an opportunity to divert juvenile...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Education units offering a substantial and varied curriculum are in full operation in all prisons and places of detention, with the exception of Cloverhill Remand Prison where the education unit is now expected to open in the near future. Education for prisoners at these units is provided by a cohort of teachers comprising 210 full-time equivalents, mainly employed by Vocational Education...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I share the concerns expressed about anti-social behaviour and its effects on people. In many such incidents, vulnerable people, often the elderly, are subjected to serious nuisance and forms of harassment which cause significant and persistent distress and interfere fundamentally with their capacity to enjoy quiet and peaceful lives. Often such people are simply too frightened to stand up to...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation file has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in this matter and that a response is awaited. I am further informed that additional Garda enquiries are currently being undertaken, including by way of mutual legal assistance, with another jurisdiction. The outcome of these enquiries will be referred to the DPP in...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that, pursuant to Article 29 of the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, all aircraft, if engaged in international air navigation and carrying cargo, must carry a manifest and detailed declarations of the cargo, in conformity with the conditions prescribed in the Convention. Accordingly, it would appear that the scenario envisaged by the Deputy is not one that...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the details of my reply to Question No. 15 of 27 April 2006. I have nothing further to add to that reply other than to indicate that I expect the Privacy Bill to be published within the next few weeks.

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 34 together. The Deputies can be assured that there is an enormous work programme in place to progress the refurbishment or replacement of specific Garda stations in order to bring them up to the highest standard. Between the start of 2005 to the end of 2007, the Office of Public Works will have spent approximately €112 million on a wide range of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Jun 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 An Garda Síochána is set to rise to a record 12,641 today following 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...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: One of the Government's key policing priorities for 2006 is to continue to target organised crime, including drug trafficking. Efforts under the National Drugs Strategy to tackle cocaine use in particular are broadly based to include measures aimed at both supply and demand reduction, including awareness initiatives. This increasing use of cocaine is, of course, a matter of great concern and...

Written Answers — Civil Partnerships: Civil Partnerships (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 392 to 394 of 23 May 2006. My view is that many same-sex couples may not want to commit to an institution which imposes on them all the rights and duties of marriage. I am aware that many opposite-sex couples are equally reluctant to make this commitment. I also acknowledge that many same-sex couples are seeking full equal status with...

Written Answers — Immigration Procedures: Immigration Procedures (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the Chambers Ireland Study on Immigration Procedures which was published on 25 May 2006 and the recommendations made therein. The question of the most appropriate terminology for classifying persons as not being of Irish nationality is one which I intend to consider in the context of the forthcoming Immigration and Residence Bill. The Deputy will be cognisant of the predicament...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission: Garda Ombudsman Commission (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioners were appointed by the President on the 10th February 2006, following nomination by the Government and recommendations by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Commission is in a preparatory stage at present. I understand that the initial work of the Commission has involved study visits to their counterparts in Northern Ireland and the UK and initial...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that the Prison Service as a whole is a failure. Over 3,000 people are provided with safe, secure and humane custody on a daily basis. I agree that there are aspects of the service which require improvement, and this has already been recognised by me and the Government. In this regard, work has already commenced on replacing approximately 40% of the entire prison estate. This...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission: Garda Ombudsman Commission (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commissioners were appointed by the President on the 10th February 2006, following nomination by the Government and recommendations by both Houses of the Oireachtas. Given the complex and serious nature of the role of the Commission it is important that they be given time to plan and develop their systems before commencing operations. I understand that the...