Results 2,961-2,980 of 18,727 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that generally, with the exception of the Garda national radio network and the public access callbox system, Garda communications and IT systems nationwide, including those in County Kildare, are relatively modern and up-to-date. The currency of these systems is reviewed on a yearly basis and, subject to the appropriate funding being available, are...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the total number of Garda vehicles assigned to the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare is as set out in the following table: Station Cars Vans Bikes 4x4's Vehicles Leixlip 2 0 0 0 2 Athy 2 0 0 0 2 Celbridge 2 0 0 0 2 Clane 1 0 0...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Carlow-Kildare division as at the 11 of April, 2005 was 324, all ranks. The number of hours each Garda station in County Kildare are open during a 24-hour period is as set out as follows: Station Hours Naas 24 hours ...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: 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 — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The site selection process was undertaken by a committee which included the Irish Prison Service, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Office of Public Works and a commercial property expert. The minutes of the committee's deliberations have been published. I am satisfied that proper procedures were followed and I reject any suggestion to the contrary.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that Dunlavin Garda station forms part of the Baltinglass area. The personnel strength of Dunlavin Garda station as at today, 12 April 2005, is one garda. The personnel strength of the Baltinglass district as today is 54, all ranks. I am further informed that...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Carnew Garda station as at today, 12 April, 2005 is one garda. In addition, I am informed that local Garda management has allocated an additional garda to Carnew Garda station on a temporary basis since 3 January, 2005. Policing at...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Let us have a tribunal.

Garda Stations. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am grateful to Deputy Deenihan for raising this matter and affording me the opportunity to explain the latest position regarding Castleisland Garda station. There was an arson attack on Castleisland Garda sub-district station in March 2001 which caused extensive smoke damage to the station. Following this incident, the Office of Public Works identified alternative temporary accommodation,...

Garda Investigations. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I have already put on the record of this House, the murder in 1991 of Mr. Eddie Fullerton, who was then a Sinn Féin councillor on Donegal County Council, was a most dreadful and heinous crime. I use the words "murder" and "crime" in respect of it. Regardless of who did it or why they did it, it is a murder and a crime, and the Deputy might note that. Unfortunately, to date, nobody has...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position with regard to legal costs for the family in question has been raised on many occasions in this House. Before dealing with the costs issue, it might be helpful if I outline for the House the current position in regard to the tribunal as I understand it. Mr. McBrearty senior gave evidence to the tribunal last week. He returned yesterday and, having completed giving his evidence,...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: On the question of legal representation for the family, I would have expected that the family would be reassured by the prompt manner in which Mr. Justice Morris addressed the issue of costs arising out of the first module. It is clear that the chairman is well aware of the issues of the various parties with regard to their legal costs and has acted expeditiously. Costs are being dealt with...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——and to guarantee their costs even if they choose not to co-operate with the tribunal or abide by its orders. That would be wholly wrong and I will not do it. It is a matter of profound regret to me that for one reason or another these issues should continually arise in this House. I want to make it clear that I will not change my mind. It would be grossly unfair of me to change my mind...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It would be wrong for me to say that I would make an exception in respect of other people who had counsel and solicitors working for them whose counsel withdrew for some reason that I still cannot understand, bearing in mind what I was used to when I was a barrister in practice. I cannot now reverse course and suddenly select one group of people for treatment, and I will not do so. The sooner...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——from that tribunal and the fact that lawyers for some reason or another were not willing to act for the McBreartys when other lawyers were willing to act for other people in similar circumstances will not affect the fairness or the validity of the tribunal's findings. I have said on a number of occasions in this House, and I repeat it, that I am not for turning on this issue. It would...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will not interfere arbitrarily in this tribunal's affairs in a manner which would undermine its authority to get at the truth because the truth is what everybody in this House wants to see established.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is open to any non-national to apply for a certificate of naturalisation if he or she satisfies the statutory criteria set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. A general precondition is that the applicant worker must have been lawfully resident in the State for a continuous period of one year immediately before the date of application and for a total of four...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: This case came under the terms of the Dublin II regulations, formerly the Dublin Convention. The regulation is intended to prevent the phenomenon of "asylum shopping" across Europe and sets out criteria for determining which member state is responsible for examining an asylum application. At the same time it guarantees applicants that one state will process their application, thereby...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 81 answered along with Questions Nos. 96, 137 and 743 of yesterday's date.

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the vehicle in question, a 1.6 Ford Focus marked patrol car, was crashed on 28 November 2004. Due to the damage sustained, the vehicle was written-off. In the event of a Garda vehicle being involved in an accident, the Garda driver forwards a completed MT15 form to the fleet management section. The MT15 is a preliminary report of the...