Results 2,321-2,340 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation file in this case has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. As the Deputy will appreciate, I have no official responsibility to the Dáil in this matter which is one for the Director of Public Prosecutions who is independent in his function.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 319 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Commissioner has accepted the recommendations made in the first report of the Morris tribunal. The Garda Commissioner has established an implementation group under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Peter Fitzgerald, to examine the issues arising from the recommendations...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the provisions of a European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid my Department has nominated the Legal Aid Board as the transmitting and receiving authority for this jurisdiction. Under the terms of this agreement, the nominated authorities are required to assist persons who are applying for legal services in another contracting state in providing assistance,...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Intelligence available to the Garda Síochána indicates that there is cross-Border movement of controlled drugs in both directions. The Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been involved in a number of joint drugs investigations which have resulted in significant seizures, including seizures of cocaine. There is and continues to be close co-operation between the...

Written Answers — Garda Units: Garda Units (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Garda mounted unit currently has a complement of thirteen horses with plans to increase the unit to its full complement of fifteen horses in the near future. The Garda mounted unit is a national resource in support of regional policing requirements and was...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a complaint was received by the Garda regarding the incident referred to by the Deputy and that matter is now the subject of an investigation. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment regarding Garda involvement in the investigation.

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The case of the person referred to by the Deputy remains the subject of close and careful review and I have not yet decided on a release date.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The governor of Mountjoy Prison has indicated a total of 26,071 visits to the prison in the year 2004. The vast majority of these visits were to prisoners and the remainder by persons such as solicitors, gardaí, Irish Prison Service headquarters staff, contractors, catering and delivery staff, addiction counsellors, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Samaritans. While the exact...

Written Answers — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 14 April 2002, two members of the Garda Síochána were tragically killed when struck by a stolen car on the Stillorgan Road in Dublin. Following this, on April 17 the Government decided to provide up to 20 places for offenders aged up to 16 years at St. Patrick's Institution. The contract was not tendered, but was negotiated with the contractor who submitted the lowest tender for a...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: If a person is not happy with the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána, it is open to him or her to make a complaint to the Garda Síochána Complaints Board. The Garda Síochána Complaints Board is currently the statutory body to investigate complaints by members of the public against the Garda. A complaint can be made by writing or by calling to its offices. A complaint can also be...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: In the course of processing the application for family reunification in respect of the person concerned questions arose in relation to the validity of the marriage. This issue is currently being investigated. When the investigation has been completed a decision on the application will be taken at that stage.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer of part which was lodged on 14 June, 1999 — dealing No. D1999CR003738J refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 17 February 2005.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Before a new station can be built in Ballymun, it is necessary for the State to have secured a suitable site there. In that regard, I understand that the Commissioners of Public Works are in negotiation with Ballymun Regeneration Limited regarding a specific site. Once secured, the planning process for the new station can commence.

Written Answers — Children Act: Children Act (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Children Act 2001 is a very complex and comprehensive piece of legislation and, for those reasons, provisions under the Act are being implemented on a phased basis, as was envisaged at the time of enactment. Responsibility for implementing the Children Act 2001 lies with three Departments, the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science mainly in respect of...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Mountjoy Prison complex includes Mountjoy Male Prison, St. Patrick's Institution, the Dóchas Centre and the training unit. I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. I have directed the Irish Prison Service to forward the information requested directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (22 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer of all of folio which was lodged on 5 July 2004 — dealing No. D2004CS007245Q refers. I am further informed that a query issued to the lodging solicitor on 6 September 2004 and that a reminder issued on 17 February 2005. On receipt of a satisfactory reply to this query, the matter will receive further attention...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Before dealing with this amendment, I will provide some background. As Deputies are aware, I obtained the approval of the Government last December for the establishment of an additional Special Criminal Court consisting of seven members. My objectives in this regard were twofold. First, dissident republican groups continue to pose a serious threat to the State. In this regard, I am determined...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I welcome Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's support. Like him, I know that all lawyers share the view that the sooner we return to jury trial in all our cases, the better. It is an important constitutional right but one which the framers of the 1937 Constitution felt could be compromised if, due to the activities of others, the ordinary courts became inadequate for the proper discharge of criminal...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Organised crime type offences do not form part of the backlog. The Hederman committee reviewed the Special Criminal Court and came to the conclusion that the existence of the court was justified by subversive activity alone, that is, it was justified regardless of whether there was or was not some organised crime case which might or might not be sent to the Special Criminal Court. Deputy...

Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: From the Seanad. (23 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: This amendment is effectively to allow for the transference by a court on its own motion or on the application of a triable person or the Director of Public Prosecutions to another Special Criminal Court where only if the first court decides it would be in the interests of justice to do so. In other words, it will be open to any interested party, be it the defence, the prosecution or the...