Results 4,321-4,340 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in the following tabular format. Table 1: Number of applications for asylum received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner* to grant refugee status (at first instance) in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005**. 2002 2003 2004 2005** No. of applications received 11,634 7,900 4,766 1,901 No. of...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the concerns of residents regarding anti-social behaviour and acts of vandalism in communities and, along with my commitment of introducing new legislation to assist in combating this, I am assured by the Garda authorities that all available resources are actively targeting the problem. Ensuring public safety by reducing the incidence of public disorder and anti-social behaviour...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána maintains regular contact with other police forces through established channels which provide for the structured exchange of information and intelligence, including information and intelligence relating to organised crime. Gardaí also participate in many international fora in relation to organised crime. Moreover, they participate at all levels of Europol activity. The...

Written Answers — Prison Suicides: Prison Suicides (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the contents of the 2004 report of the Visiting Committee of Arbour Hill Prison, which was presented to me on 12 January 2005. The full text of the visiting committee's report has been publicly available on the website of my Department since 5 April 2005. I deeply regret that two suicides of prisoners occurred at Arbour Hill Prison in January 2004 and in August 2004,...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will not be asking the Government to consider seeking the resignation of the Garda Commissioner. I have full confidence in the Garda Commissioner to bring forward any necessary measures which are appropriate to him in the light of the findings and recommendations in the Morris reports.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Details of legal costs incurred by the State in respect of members of the force represented at the Morris tribunal and related court costs are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy. As regards Garda expenses the position is that investigations are undertaken as part of normal duties. Therefore, the multitude of different costs incurred by the inquiry into the death of Mr. Barron...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 63 together. I am advised by the Garda authorities that currently there are 130 Garda stations equipped with audio-video facilities. A recently conducted Garda survey indicates that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations 1997 are now being recorded. Interviews are not recorded...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Strong provisions are already in place to combat all categories of crime. With regard to public order offences the primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. I was pleased to note a reduction in assault causing harm in 2004 compared with 2003. This trend has continued in 2005 with a 15% reduction in assaults causing harm in the...

Written Answers — Children Act 2001: Children Act 2001 (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that the Children Act 2001 is a 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...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I want to emphasise that the Government places a high priority on putting into place measures aimed at tackling crimes of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and other crimes of violence against women. In this regard, my Department, which is one of five Departments with responsibilities in this area, plays a major role in that it has responsibility for legislative initiatives and...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 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 personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 22 June 2005 was 12,186 — all ranks. It is proposed to induct approximately 1,100 Garda students to the Garda College in 2005, consisting of four intakes of approximately 275 students. The first of these...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Some 18,000 applications for temporary permission to remain in the State were received under the revised arrangements for consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State from the non-national parents of children born in Ireland before 1 January 2005. Of this number, over 7,300 applicants have to date been granted temporary permission to remain in the State. Some 48...

Written Answers — Firearms Amnesty: Firearms Amnesty (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, in my speech on Second Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, I announced to the House my intention to introduce amendments to the Firearms Acts, in the course of Committee Stage of the Bill, which will establish a statutory basis for a period during which firearms can be surrendered to the Gárda Síochána. The proposed amendment will allow me, by order, to...

Written Answers — Prisoner Health: Prisoner Health (23 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 in relation 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 — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have noted the recommendations of the Combat Poverty Agency policy statement on child poverty. The €499 million Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 already has an equal opportunities and social inclusion perspective and facilitates the further development and expansion of child care facilities to address the needs of parents, particularly those from low-income families, in...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 14 on Tuesday, 17 May, last. Since then, a further charter flight to Romania was carried out on 1 June 2005, returning a total of 58 persons including eight minors. Of these, 36 were subject to deportation orders, 19 had been refused leave to land in the State and a further three persons returned home voluntarily after withdrawing their...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Investigations are undertaken as part of normal duties. Therefore the multitude of different costs incurred by the inquiry into the death of Mr. Barron and by the related investigations referred to by the Deputies were accounted for in the normal manner under the relevant general sub-heads of the Votes concerned. For this reason it would not be possible to retrospectively cost the named...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of murders in which firearms were used in respect of each year from 1998 to 22 June 2005 are as set out in the table below. I am informed by the Garda authorities that murders involving the use of firearms tend to have lower conviction rates than other murders. This is not unique to Ireland. The number of violent deaths, namely, murder...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The control of the importation, manufacture, storage, sale and use of fireworks is provided for under the Explosives Act 1875. As the Deputy will be aware last February I published a fireworks policy consultation document and initiated a process of consultation with a view to bringing forward proposals for amending and strengthening the provisions in the 1875 Act. My Department has received a...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The tabular statement below outlines the number of freedom of information requests received by my Department in the first six months of each year requested. A significant number of requests received by my Department relate to personal information type requests from staff members and clients of my Department followed by requests of a non-personal nature ranging from statistical type...