Results 3,301-3,320 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Project: Youth Diversion Project (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will appreciate, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. It is not therefore open to me to comment or intervene in any way in relation to how a particular case is being conducted, which is entirely a matter for the presiding judge. With regard to the general issue of reserved judgments, the Deputy...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to compile the information requested in the timeframe allowed. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been two persons arrested since January 2005 directly related to public order incidents at the location referred to by the Deputy. Both persons are being dealt with under the juvenile diversion programme. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that a new development for senior citizens is under construction at the complex. On...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there has been no recent upsurge in street prostitution in the area referred to by the Deputy. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that all gardaí at the Bridewell Garda station have been briefed on this matter and are aware of the concerns of residents in the area. In addition to normal patrols there are two plain-clothes gardaí...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy was admitted to the State in December 2001 as a programme refugee. His wife arrived in the State in 2003. I can confirm that the visa applications in relation to his wife's family have been received in my Department. She has been requested to provide further documentation and information in support of the applications and on receipt of same a decision will...

Written Answers — Equal Rights Issues: Equal Rights Issues (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In a case of alleged physical and emotional abuse by the mother of a child, it is open to the father to apply to the court for custody of the child. It is also open to a father to apply to the court, under the Domestic Violence Act 1996 as amended by the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act 2002, for a barring order or a protection order against the mother. Married parents living together are...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been unable to trace any recent correspondence in relation to a visa concerning the person or any family members of the person named by the Deputy. The visa reference numbers quoted by the Deputy numbers 1229469 and 1229470 relate to applications made in August 2003. Formal notification regarding refusal of these applications issued to Abuja on 5 September 2003. The reasons for refusal...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 250, inclusive, together. On becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during...

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the House for inviting me this evening to discuss the important issue of anti-social behaviour orders or ASBOs. I abhor the behaviour mentioned by Senator Brian Hayes. It is by no means normal but it is also by no means unheard of. There are people in society who behave in an anti-social manner. We cannot avoid that fact. There are various remedies available to us but to use the...

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It was they who evoked this opposition.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate them most sincerely.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate those parties most sincerely for seeing the light and for coming on board. There is a slight difficulty in that the Green Party with whom they hope to do business has come out solidly against this proposal.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is not propaganda, that is the case.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to move on to some other points.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Anti-social behaviour orders are not of their nature, and cannot be, the only answer to the problem. More community policing is essential and that is a point on which there appears to be agreement across the House.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I believe the Senator will be slightly disappointed to hear that the record of the party of which he is a member is sadly deficient in regard to policing. In the years 1994 to 1996 there was a decline in the number of police in Ireland.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The numbers went down to 10,804 at the end of 1996.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The annual policing budget in 1997 was just short of €600 million, it is now €1.1 billion. I want Senators to absorb those facts.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In terms of numbers——