Results 10,561-10,580 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Child Pornography: Child Pornography (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have received a copy of the recently published third report of the ISPAI hotline which was launched recently by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and I have noted its contents. Child pornography is illegal in this jurisdiction and in most other jurisdictions throughout the world. Under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, one of...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Priority Questions Nos. 3 and 5 today, of today's date.

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: A voluntary code of practice, which sets out the agreed principles and minimum standards for the movement of cash was signed on 24 June 2005. Its objective is to encourage the highest standards of operation and, having due regard to the specific circumstances of each organisation, the implementation of integrated end-to-end solutions to create safe secure and efficient cash handling. The...

Written Answers — Garda Medical Support: Garda Medical Support (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: My attention has been drawn to issues raised by delegates to the recent annual conference of the AGSI regarding the level of medical support available to the Garda Síochána in dealing with both crime suspects and victims of crime, especially rape or other sexual assaults. The Irish Medical Organisation wrote to my Department in March of this year on these issues. Subsequently, the Garda...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The most immediate response to the reports of the Morris tribunal was to address the cases of individual wrongdoing or gross negligence uncovered. Following publication of the first report a superintendent was dismissed by the Government. Two superintendents criticised in the second report subsequently retired. Disciplinary action in respect of members of the force below the rank of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, or 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during that period. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána has legislative powers to photograph suspects who have been detained under the provision of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, as amended, the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and suspects arrested under the provision of section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, as amended. Nothing prevents a member of the...

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position remains as set out in my response to Deputy McGrath on 28 March to Question No. 352.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The report referred to in the Deputy's question is entitled, All our Children — Child Impact Assessment for Irish Children of Migrant Parents, by the Children's Rights Alliance which was commissioned by CADIC — Coalition Against the Deportation of Irish Children. The report was furnished to my Department on 24 April 2006. The report will require examination but, on a preliminary basis, it...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application for residency in the State for the person in question is currently being processed. A request for further documentation has issued and on receipt of the required information a final decision will be made.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Apr 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, or 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Supreme Court in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions v Patrick O'Connor considered the application of EC Directive 72/166/EEC in this jurisdiction. The court held that random, non-discriminatory checks were permitted, but that if checks are to be random they should not be aimed against foreign registered cars only. The enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts by members of the...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the fleet management — transport — section of the Garda Síochána is under the control of a chief superintendent and has the following personnel. Superintendent 1 Fleet Manager (Civilian) 1 Sergeant 5 Garda 7 Clerical Officers (civilian) 4 There are two sergeants and five gardaí directly involved in the servicing and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 20 April 2006 and is currently awaiting examination by a visa officer. The application will be considered in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position on Garda retirements is that members of the force who joined before April 2004 can retire on full pension after 30 years service, provided they are aged 50 or over. Members at the rank of garda, sergeant and inspector must retire by the age of 57, while members at superintendent rank and higher can remain in the force up to the age of 60. Members who joined after April 2004,...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together. Student gardaí are not appointed as members of the Garda Síochána until attestation, following successful completion of phases I to III, inclusive, of the Garda Síochána training programme. On attestation, newly appointed members are assigned to the various Garda divisions by the Garda Commissioner. Any statistics on Garda strength...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that prior to the rollout of the fixed charge processing system on 3 April 2006 a number of non-penalty point offences were dealt with by the fines on the spot system. Since 3 April the use of hand-held devices and notepads replaced the fines on the spot system and all offences are being dealt with under the fixed charge processing system. This system...

Written Answers — Legislative Procedures: Legislative Procedures (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, it is well established that the Oireachtas may delegate the power to make rules, orders, regulations etc., to the Government, a Minister or other authority in order to carry out the main purpose of the law which the Oireachtas has enacted. Rules etc., made in purported reliance on such a law can be, and have on occasion been successfully, challenged in the courts,...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. Those conditions are that the applicant must be of full age, or by way of exception, be a minor born in the State; be of good...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question.