Results 2,261-2,280 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: While I am responsible for providing the money for investment in the Garda fleet, it is for Garda management to decide upon the allocation of the vehicles. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that there is an adequate number of patrol cars available in each Garda division to meet requirements. The current profile of the Garda fleet is as follows. Cars (incl....

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, with the exception of the Garda national radio network and the public access call-box system, all communications systems in place are relatively modern and up to date. The currency of those systems is reviewed yearly and, subject to the appropriate funding being available, they are upgraded or enhanced as necessary and appropriate to the...

Written Answers — Drug-Related Crime: Drug-Related Crime (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are aware of the identity of a number of Irish citizens who currently reside outside this jurisdiction and are believed to be involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. Many of these individuals choose to reside abroad for a variety of reasons not least of which are the ongoing activities of the Garda Síochána in counteracting...

Written Answers — Drug-Related Crime: Drug-Related Crime (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that international co-operation between law enforcement agencies is achieved in a number of ways including: the exchange of strategic intelligence on the activities and modus operandi of criminal networks involved in the international trafficking of controlled drugs; the exchange of operational intelligence on the activities of criminal organisations...

Written Answers — Penalty Points System: Penalty Points System (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together. I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy when the information is to hand.

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of each Garda station in County Kildare as at 1 February 2002 and 1 February 2005, is as set out in the following table: Station February '02 February '05 Naas 77 77 Clane 6 6 Kill 3 3 ...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of hours each Garda station in County Kildare is open during a 24-hour period is as set out in the table hereunder: Station Hours Naas 24 Celbridge 9 Clane 3 Maynooth 9 Kill 3 Kildare 24 Newbridge 24 Robertstown 3 Kilcullen 3 ...

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

Michael McDowell: It is not clear what "international norms and best practice" the Deputy is referring to in this question. The interim target of increasing the strength of the Garda Síochána to 12,200 was met and exceeded by the end of November 2004 and a recruitment campaign is now well under way to further increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line the commitment in An Agreed...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda district in each Garda division in the Dublin metropolitan region as at 1 July 2002 and 1 February 2005 is as set out in the following tables: D.M.R. North Station 2002 2005 Coolock 188 191 Raheny 160 175 Santry 213...

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

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Assets Bureau keeps its resources under ongoing review in the light of its workload and any additional requirements, from time to time, are brought to the attention of the Garda Commissioner. The commissioner is responsible for the deployment of overall Garda resources. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the value of property stolen as a result of aggravated burglary, robbery from the person, robbery of cash or goods in transit and robbery of an establishment or institution in the past 12 months amounts to €6,665,864. Of the 2,901 offences reported, 33% were detected. An offence is recorded as detected when one or more persons are identified as...

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

Michael McDowell: The use of specialist Garda units in the fight against organised crime, such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Garda national drug unit, all of which operate under the assistant commissioner in charge of national support services, has enabled the Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime, including...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to give a breakdown of the number of motorists fined for driving whilst using their mobile phone. The use of a mobile phone may be a factor in the commission of an offence of dangerous driving, careless driving or driving without reasonable consideration. It is not possible to quantify the number of prosecutions for any of these...

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

Michael McDowell: Applications for naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the citizenship section of my Department in December 2002. The applications were submitted to me in January 2005 and I decided not to grant certificates of naturalisation at that time. The persons in question were informed in writing of my decision on 3 February 2005.

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I pay tribute to Senator Norris for the work he has done in the past, and continues to do in this Bill, on the rights of cohabiting couples. This Bill, and the debate last May on the rights of non-marital and one-parent families, are valuable contributions to the development of policy in this important area. I do not agree with Senator Ross's point that this is a simple matter and should be...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that the Senator should charge anybody in this House with homophobia.

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I could say the same about Senator Terry and question her on the same point but it would be equally unjustified. I acknowledge on behalf of the Government that the position before the law of same sex couples, and others in caring relationships, including extending State recognition to civil partnerships between such persons, needs to be addressed. We cannot walk away from, ignore or postpone...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not know what the term "conjugal" means in that context if it is not designed to mean something akin to sexual in nature. I do not think two elderly bachelors living in a farmhouse in County Kerry would regard their relationship as conjugal, even if they were fully committed to looking after each other.

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: In these two sections, which are not simply details but central issues in the Bill, there are major constitutional, philosophical and discriminatory issues to be addressed. Irish law already takes into account in a number of ways non-marital relationships. As referred to earlier, capital acquisitions tax has been changed. The Guardianship of Infants Act, as amended, provides for the...