Results 15,421-15,440 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The force has grown from roughly 10,800 in 1997 to 12,150 today.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The force will reach 14,000, with people in training and those fully qualified, as early as the end of 2006. I am delivering on the Government's commitment to expand the Garda Síochána. Unlike other parties I am not presiding over a period when the number of gardaí went down——

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——year after year while they were in office.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I also remind Members of this House that the Opposition parties did not make any commitment in 1997 or in 2002 to increase the number of police. On the contrary——

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——the former Deputy Shatter wrote a cynical letter suggesting it could not be done and would not be done. What is more, the Labour Party was entirely silent on the issue. In fairness to Fine Gael in 2002, it took a constructive position and stated it would put in place a commission to look at the question of increasing the strength of the Garda Síochána.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The strength of the Garda Síochána is now at an all-time high and will be——

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——over 14,000.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is the case that the headline crime rate has fallen from 29 per 1,000——

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Can I just——

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In 1995——

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: When the Senator's party was in office, the headline crime rate was 29 per 1,000 of the population.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Last year it was 25 per 1,000 of population.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Headline crime has gone down emphatically since then.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am very grateful for the Chair's valiant attempts to uphold the dignity of this House.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The fact is, and this House knows it well, that anti-social behaviour must be dealt with on a number of fronts. It must be dealt with in terms of disadvantage and the education system — keeping those children who are most at risk in education by all possible means. It must also be dealt with through community policing, as has been said. I was glad my Department was in a position to assist...

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not know whether he wants to have ASBOs to prevent people from using his front door as a lavatory. Law-abiding people such as Senator Norris are entitled to the protection of the law just as much as everybody else.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Abstaining is most uncharacteristic of the Senator.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The equal opportunities child care programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, is a central pillar in the Government's child care strategy and is intended to increase the availability and quality of child care supports for parents in employment, education or training. The programme is funded by the Exchequer and the European Union Structural Funds as part of the regional operational programmes of the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 to 322, inclusive, together. In regard to crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 to 326, inclusive, together. As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...