Results 17,021-17,040 of 18,737 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations are ongoing in the cases of non nationals murdered in 2004. The Deputy will appreciate it is not the practice to indicate whether arrests have been made or to speculate as to what motives may have been involved in the killings.

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: As envisaged in the Programme for Government, the introduction of mandatory drug testing will be central to supporting future policy on drug supply and demand reduction in prisons. Already prisoners accommodated in the open centres at Shelton Abbey and Loughan House and in the designated drug free areas of the training unit in the Mountjoy Complex, St. Patrick's Institution and Wheatfield...

Written Answers — Garda Band: Garda Band (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: In 1965, the then Minister for Justice announced his decision to dissolve the band which had a total strength at that time of 35. Following a recommendation in the report of the Conroy Commission (1970) the band was re-established by the Minister in 1972, in time for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the force, "because of its significance as a morale booster" for the force. The...

Written Answers — Electronic Tagging: Electronic Tagging (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The use of electronic tagging systems to monitor offenders in other jurisdictions is an issue which my Department has kept under review for some time. As I have explained in my previous replies to the House on this matter, difficulties have been encountered in other jurisdictions in developing fully effective electronic tagging systems, but recent developments in technology may provide...

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Programme: Drug Treatment Programme (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: Drug treatment services for prisoners involve a significant multidimensional input by a diverse range of general and specialist services provided both by the Irish Prison Service and visiting statutory and non-statutory organisations. Particular initiatives put in place include drug detoxification, substitution therapies, drug free programmes involving one-to-one counselling, accommodation in...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I have previously indicated in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 308 of 9 November 2004 and No. 429 of 30 November 2004, it is not proposed to allow asylum applicants to take up paid employment pending a final decision being made on their applications. I believe that extending the right to work to asylum seekers, which would require legislative change, would have a very negative...

Written Answers — Age of Criminal Responsibility: Age of Criminal Responsibility (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans at present to raise the age of criminal responsibility.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question, a Congolese national arrived in the State on 5 October 1998 and applied for asylum. His wife and two children arrived in the State on 7 March 1999. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. This person is the parent of Irish-born children....

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The bodies under the aegis of my Department that are not subject to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts are Censorship of Films Appeals Board; Censorship of Publications Appeals Board; Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; Human Rights Commission; Registration of Title Rules Committee; the Garda Síochána; Garda Síochána Complaints Board; Garda Síochána Complaints Appeal Board;...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently no plans to extend the number of Garda stations open to the public on a 24-hour basis.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 1 January 2005 was 12,209 (all ranks). I am further informed that the personnel strength of Carlow-Kildare Division as at 1 January 2005 was 323 (all ranks). In relation to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has no role in relation to the co-ordination of rape crisis and sexual assault centres. This role is performed by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland which is funded through the Department of Health and Children. As regards the support which my Department gives to rape and sexual assault victims I can inform the Deputy that my Department has recently...

Written Answers — Child Abduction: Child Abduction (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that while the AMBER alert system is used very effectively in the United States of America, its effectiveness is due to the fact that it is designed to work towards achieving a uniform information/publicity plan across different states and to minimize potential delays due to confusion among varying jurisdictions. The Garda Síochána differs in that it...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The details of the revised arrangements for the consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005 was publicly announced on 15 January 2005. Applications should be made on form IBC/05 which is available on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website www.justice.ie. Hard copies...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I have stated on many occasions, the bombings which took place in Dublin and Monaghan on Friday, 17 May 1974 were among the most tragic occurrences in the history of this island. Once again, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those injured, their families and the families of those killed. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has established the Remembrance Commission...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: In so far as I can understand the import of the Deputy's question, let me say that due process or trial in due course of law in the sense that the term describes the regular application of the criminal law through the courts, is a constitutional principle. Apart from constitutional rights, I remind the Deputy that as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I piloted the European...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: Community Service is a valuable sanction available to the courts as an alternative to imprisonment. It is used mainly in the District Courts, which of course deal with minor offences, but it has been used in a small number of cases in higher courts and is administered by the Probation and Welfare Service. The aim of Community Service is to re-integrate the offender into the community through...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was informed on 23 June 2004, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 as amended, that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options of making representations within 15 working days to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons that he should be allowed to remain in the State, to voluntarily...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that communication between Tuam district headquarters station and its sub-district stations is provided via radio and telephone. In the event that a member of the public telephones a sub-district station that is not manned, the phones in the sub-district station will be call diverted to the district headquarters station where the calls will be...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am happy to inform the Deputy that I appointed the individual concerned as a Peace Commissioner in the last week. Correspondence to that effect issued recently to both the Deputy and to the individual in question.