Results 9,681-9,700 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: 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 of the Force during that period. I have been further...

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

Michael McDowell: There are currently no plans to establish a Garda Sub-Station in the ward three area of Waterford City. The Garda authorities point out that the opening of any new Garda station would necessitate the deployment of additional Garda personnel to indoor administrative duties. Such personnel can be utilised more effectively in providing a visible Garda presence on outdoor policing duties.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government places a high priority on putting into place measures aimed at tackling crimes of rape, sexual assault and other crimes of a sexual nature. All sexual offence cases are the subject of rigorous investigation by the Gardaí. All available resources are employed in respect of all sex offence cases to bring these investigations to a successful conclusion. Investigation files are...

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

Michael McDowell: The Irish criminal justice system has served the people well since the foundation of the State. In particular, our criminal justice system has acted down the years as a vital bulwark, protecting our citizens from the very real threat posed to the State from subversion and terrorism. Political accountability for the criminal justice system is vested in the Minister for Justice. As the current...

Written Answers — Prison Therapeutic Services: Prison Therapeutic Services (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are three forms of direct therapeutic intervention for sex offenders currently operating within the Irish prison system. These are as follows: individual counselling from the Irish Prison Service's Psychology Service and from the Probation and Welfare Service; the Sex Offender Programme which has been in operation since 1994; and one-to-one interventions by visiting psychiatrists who...

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

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is in fact referring to my reply to Parliamentary Question no. 531 of 30 May 2006. In response I can confirm that 21 Garda stations in the Sligo/Leitrim Division do not have fax machines.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The parents of the persons in question were granted permission to remain in the State in accordance with the revised arrangements for parents of an Irish child born before 1 January 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme. The persons concerned have applied for permission to remain in the State on the basis that they are dependents of people granted residency under the IBC/05 scheme....

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I have repeatedly stated, no level of illegal drug consumption in a prison setting is acceptable to me or to the prison authorities. It is my intention and that of the Irish Prison Service to take all necessary measures to eliminate drug misuse among prisoners. There are currently a range of measures employed in the Irish Prison Service with the aim of eliminating both the supply of and...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The new Irish Prison Service Policy and Strategy, entitled Keeping Drugs out of Prisons fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government to publish a plan to end all heroin use in Irish prisons as well as my own commitment to achieving a drug-free prison system. The new Policy and Strategy provides, for the first time, a coordinated and consistent national approach to eliminating the...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently drafting a document which will provide detailed instruction and guidance on the implementation of Mandatory Drug Testing.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 28 April, 2006 I made the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 which transposed into Irish law the European Directive on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. The Directive replaced nine previous Directives and amended one European Regulation, No. 1612/68, on the freedom...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: In line with international practice I introduced a fee for immigration registration certificates with effect from May 27 2006. The introduction of such a fee had been flagged both in the Immigration Act 2004, and in the discussion document containing the outline policy proposals for an Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill. Non-EEA nationals who register with an immigration registration...

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...