Results 2,201-2,220 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information on the process followed in the selection of the site to replace the Mountjoy Prison complex is available from the minutes of the committee which examined potential sites and which have been posted on my Department's website www.justice.ie. I have been advised that while the committee initially attributed a weighting to cost, it was decided at a later stage that this approach...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I was pleased to note a decrease of 4% in the number of headline offences in the provisional crime statistics for 2004. The statistics show a decrease for the second year in a row. The year on year statistics also show decreases in some of the most serious offence categories. The 2004 figures show that, despite more precise and accurate recordings of crime by the Garda PULSE system, the crime...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 201. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána is currently engaged in discussions with the legal representatives of the family of the person referred to by the Deputies with a view to resolving the concerns of the family regarding the charging of the person. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further at this...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in the following tables. Table 1: Number of applications for asylum received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner to grant Refugee status, at first instance, in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005*. 2002 2003 2004 2005* No. of applications received 11,634 7,900 4,766 393 No. of recommendations to...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Síochána are allowed to drive official vehicles in two circumstances: they hold at least a class B driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the chief superintendent or they have completed an official driving course. The number of gardaí who have passed the official driving course is 5,386. This figure represents...

Written Answers — Disability Issues: Disability Issues (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 105 together. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, with special responsibility for equality in my Department, met the disability legislation consultation group, DLCG, on 27 October last, following publication of the Disability Bill 2004. It later forwarded a written submission on the Bill which included ten key concerns. He wrote to the...

Written Answers — Omagh Bombing: Omagh Bombing (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I would advise the Deputy that neither I nor my Department can procure the court records the Deputy refers to. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Government and I remain willing to assist the survivors and relatives of the Omagh bombing with their civil action to the greatest extent possible allowed by law. Section 8(7) of the National Archives Act 1986 provides for the transfer of...

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

Michael McDowell: The final report of the Garda SMI implementation steering group made a number of recommendations in relation to the regional-divisional-district structure currently in place in the Garda Síochána. The report did not identify which districts, divisions or regions would be affected. The Garda Síochána Bill 2004, which proposes the most fundamental modernisation of the Garda Síochána since...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 247 and 248 together. Ireland has extensive legislation in place to tackle money laundering activities with the main provisions in Irish law relating to money laundering being set out in section 31 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended by section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, sections 32 and 57 of the Criminal...

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The contract signed for the purchase of the 150 acre site at Thornton Hall, The Ward, County Dublin, for the replacement of Mountjoy Prison cost €29.9 million, or just under €200,000 per acre. Land owners were invited by public advertisement to put forward suitable sites for sale in the greater Dublin area. The average asking price of land owners who responded to that advertisement was...

Written Answers — Defamation Law: Defamation Law (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose take Questions Nos. 102 and 203 together. I refer the Deputies to the details of my answer to Question No. 407 of 8 February 2005. I have nothing further to add to that reply other than to say that I intend to bring proposals with regard to the reform of the law on defamation to Government in the near future.

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Carrick Garda station as at 11 February 2005 was one Garda. I am also informed that the personnel strength of Glencolmcille Garda station as at 11 February 2005 was one Garda. In relation to Garda resources generally, I am pleased that the...

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

Michael McDowell: I have previously made clear to the House that allegations of serious wrongdoing by members of the Garda Síochána, such as those broadcast on the "Prime Time" programme, are of serious concern to me. Some of the cases featured in the television programme of 8 January 2004 were previously reported and in the public domain. A number of the cases have been dealt with in the courts or by the...

Written Answers — Racism Issues: Racism Issues (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: In respect of the report of the NGO Alliance and the steps being taken to combat racism I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 734 of 26 January 2005. The Deputy will also be aware that on 27 January last the Government launched the national action plan against racism. The plan provides strategic direction to combat racism and to promote the development of a more inclusive,...

Written Answers — Electronic Tagging: Electronic Tagging (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 222 together. 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. My Department has looked at the experience of a number of countries in the operation of these systems. These include the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Sweden and Australia....

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

Michael McDowell: I have already acknowledged that not all Garda accommodation is of an acceptable standard. That said, however, one of my priorities as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is to ensure, as far as is practicable, that fully adequate accommodation is available for the Garda Síochána. While this is a difficult task, in view of the large number of stations involved and the fact that...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the NESC report referred to by the Deputy has not yet been published and therefore I am not in a position to comment on any findings it might contain until such time as it is published and available to me for consideration. My Department has responsibility for the development of child care to meet the needs of working parents and those in education and training preparatory...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have not, to date, received recommendations from the parole board in the two cases referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Victim Support: Victim Support (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 202 together. In many European jurisdictions victims have the status of a party to the proceedings and there is a much closer relationship between the civil and the criminal law. This jurisdiction, however, has a common law system, where the victim is a witness to, but not directly a party in, criminal proceedings. Provision for victims is made by a...

Written Answers — NESF Report: NESF Report (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have received a copy of the report which has been circulated within my Department. I welcome the report and am pleased to note that considerable progress has been made in recent years concerning many of the areas covered by the report such as equality issues, child care and reintegration of prisoners. In the case of other matters referred to in the report, these are being examined by my...