Results 4,121-4,140 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Let us be clear about this. No more than I could tell the Secretary General to write a cheque for this or that could I ask or direct him to exercise his functions under this proposed section in a manner which was in bad faith, because he has an independent role as an Accounting Officer under statute. If one takes the view that the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: A Minister in these circumstances, in the last analysis, if asked in the House whether there is a document in the possession of the Garda which states A or B, must be in a position by some mechanism, through a responsible office holder, to ascertain whether that is the truth. It would be a sad day if, as Minister, I were to tell the House I could not say a document of such a kind exists or...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: If I had in this amendment vested those powers in a political person such as a Minister, I could well appreciate the Labour Party, with some degree of justification, issuing the press statement it did, and stating: "This man wants to be able to root through every file in the country." However, when the amendment tendered divests the Minister of that power and vests it in the Accounting...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed). (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It would be a sad day if that were not the case.

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 has been passed by the Seanad and is currently awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil. Detailed provisions with regard to changes in the law in the matter of certification and decertification of prisoners as raised by the Deputy were inserted in the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill following agreement of the Seanad on Report Stage....

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Visa applications are processed as speedily as possible having regard to the numbers of applications on hand and the resources available to process them. The application referred to by the Deputy is currently pending examination by a visa officer and a decision on the application should be expected in the very near future.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that given the large number of events that the Garda Síochána is required to police, detailed costings are not available for all venues. Detailed policing plans and costings are only collated for a representative sample of events. However, it is possible to provide the Deputy with the policing costs associated with two major events held in 2004...

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

Michael McDowell: There are plans to provide a new Garda station at Ballyvary, Castlebar, County Mayo. The Commissioners of Public Works are currently considering how best to progress matters. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it is not possible, at this stage, to say when the project to provide the new Garda station will commence. The Garda occupies some 703 Garda stations throughout the country. Many...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda annual report for 2003 gives a breakdown of the number of fixed charge notices issued for speeding by Garda region, as shown in the following table: Region Fixed charge notices issued for speeding Eastern region 21,836 Dublin region 62,434 Northern region 10,106 South eastern region 20,227 Southern region 32,426 Western region 10,823 Total 157,852 Statistics...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: With regard to crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that 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 my...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda district in the Roscommon-Galway east and Sligo-Leitrim divisions, as at 31 December 1997, 31 December 2002 and 21 June 2005 was as set out below. Roscommon/Galway East. District 31/12/97 31/12/02 21/06/05 ...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the area referred to is policed by gardaí attached to Tallaght Garda station. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 21 June 2005 was 176, all ranks. Local Garda management report that there are currently two full time community gardaí...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: With regard to crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the first time in the history of the State 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...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that the applications referred to by the Deputy are associated and comprise: an application for transfer order which was lodged on 23 August 2004, dealing number D2004SM006350T refers; and an application for charge which was lodged on 13 October 2004, dealing number D2004SM008627Q refers. I am also informed that a query issued to the lodging solicitor...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 28 August 2003. In the normal course, it would fall due to be processed in the next few months. My officials will communicate directly with the applicant and the Deputy in the near future regarding the application.

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities are aware of the drugs referred to by the Deputy and I understand there have been small quantity seizures. I am informed by the Department of Health and Children that crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine and is a controlled drug under schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984. As such, it is subject to stringent controls. I am further informed by the...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that given the large number of sporting, concert and other public events that the Garda Síochána is required to police, detailed policing plans and costings are only collated for a representative sample of events. The 2004 All-Ireland hurling final required 94 gardaí of various ranks to be deployed within Croke Park. In addition, 188 gardaí of...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, that is, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, of the Registration of Title Act, 1964, which was lodged on 5 March 2004. Dealing number D2004CR002695J refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, i.e., acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, of the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 25 February 2003. Dealing number D2003CR001976A refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 18 May 2005.

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

Michael McDowell: I do not accept the Deputy's contention. The Garda Síochána Complaints Board investigated a complaint made by the person in question with regard to the matter. The complaints board found that neither an offence nor a breach of discipline on the part of any member of the Garda Síochána had been disclosed.