Results 2,161-2,180 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: With respect, if asked to choose between the judgment of the Commissioner or the Deputy on this matter, I am inclined to accept the views of the former. I have never seen the Garda code and am not in a position to confirm or deny the statements made by Deputy Cuffe. He may well be right, but he may also be wrong. I do not know. I am told the last edition of the code was produced in 1995 and...

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that. Perhaps the difference in view between Deputy Jim O'Keeffe and me explains why so little was accomplished when his party was in office.

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: My predecessors in those days spent their time reading the Garda code instead of getting on with their jobs.

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will convey the views of the Deputy to the commissioner.

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Last December, I sought and received Government approval to establish an additional Special Criminal Court with seven members. My reasons for seeking the establishment of a second court are twofold. First, dissident republican groups continue to pose a serious, active threat to the State. I am determined to ensure that persons intent on challenging the legitimacy and authority of the State...

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that a number of years after the Good Friday Agreement was entered into, it is still not functioning properly. There are groups on this island still engaged in paramilitarism, not merely dissident republicans but also the provisional IRA. That organisation has proved in the past to be ruthless in its intimidation of people involved in the criminal process. I need only...

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am very grateful.

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: In its review, the majority of the Hederman committee stated the threat posed by paramilitaries or organised crime is sufficient to justify the retention of the Special Criminal Court. There is no advantage for me in organising a second Special Criminal Court. The Supreme Court stated in respect of people charged with serious offences that the fact they are likely to commit further serious...

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: From January 2002 to the end of December 2004, 12 charter flights were engaged for the purpose of deportation of persons illegally residing in the State. A total of 341 persons were deported in this way at a total cost of €1,363,201. Details of these charter flights, that is, dates, destinations, numbers deported — broken down into adults and minors in so far as this information is...

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: A total of 341 persons were deported, of whom 20 were children.

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: On a handful of occasions, parents who were deported brought their Irish born children with them.

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is nothing disgraceful about that.

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: If it is a disgrace, it is a disgrace that is common to all Europe.

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not see the Deputy's point.

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am satisfied that for the proper and effective conduct of our immigration law it must be understood by people who illegally come to Ireland and attempt to remain here that the State will deport them. If we had a system under which I decided it was not worth a candle to send them home, the result would be catastrophic. More and more people would come to Ireland, effectively challenging the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the scheme of a judicial council Bill to Government for approval with a view to publishing the Bill itself in the first half of this year. The preparation of the scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I am engaged in a number of necessary consultations on the draft scheme at present. The Bill will establish a judicial council with...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information sought by the Deputy and furnished to me by the complaints board is set out in the attached appendix which is being circulated to members with this answer. As the Deputy will see, the annual number of complaints over the period in question has ranged from 1,175 to 1,405, with the figure for last year being 1,232. Complaints referred to as having gone through the entire process...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Ministers and others pursuant to a long-standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: Taoiseach; Tánaiste; 13 Ministers; President; Chief Whip; Ceann Comhairle; Attorney General; Director of Public Prosecutions; Chief Justice; former Taoisigh and Presidents. There are no set rules as to when ministerial cars are replaced but, in...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Policing arrangements for public events and in locations generally, along with the allocation of Garda resources, are solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. However, I understand from the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána is not aware of any decision having been taken in relation to Shamrock Rovers playing at Dalymount Park. As I am sure the Deputy will understand, in the event...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that within the Bridewell district, which covers the Dublin 7 area, there are two plain clothes gardaí assigned to deal with incidents of prostitution. In addition to this, both regular patrols and district detective units are also involved in dealing with incidents of prostitution in the Dublin 7 area. I understand that response times are...