Results 4,341-4,360 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I have made clear that an apology is due on behalf of the State to everyone who has been wronged by Garda misconduct in Donegal, and this, of course, includes the McBrearty family. The terms of the apologies will be settled as part of the resolution of the related civil actions currently before the courts. As regards any offer of a financial settlement of the case currently before the High...

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

Michael McDowell: I am 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 21 June 2005 was 12,186, all ranks. I am further informed that the total number of personnel allocated to community policing duties on a full-time basis as at 21 June 2005 was 459, all ranks, and that the total...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, in the light of allegations in 2002 about the handling by the church of child sex abuse, I announced my intention to introduce legislation for a new procedure which would enable focused and efficient investigations into matters of significant public concern to be undertaken, the Commissions of Investigation Act was subsequently enacted in July 2004. My Department is...

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

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, is currently accommodating close on 8,000 residents representing over 100 nationalities in 84 centres throughout 25 counties. The RIA places particular emphasis on meeting, to the greatest extent possible, the dietary needs of residents and, in this regard, 28-day menu cycles are in place in all large centres. In small centres menus are cycled on a...

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

Michael McDowell: The Government is not proposing to take action against any member of the force above the rank of superintendent arising from the second report of the Morris tribunal.

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that during each allocation of probationer gardaí cognisance is taken of vacancies which arise as a result of transfers or retirements. The needs of the Donegal division will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The national disability strategy, launched by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on 21 September 2004 represents the Government's targeted response to delivery of disability services. The launch involved seven Ministers with direct responsibility for the various elements of the strategy because of the cross-cutting nature of the issues involved. The strategy has been advanced by a...

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

Michael McDowell: As I have previously outlined to the House, an outside chief superintendent has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

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

Michael McDowell: I have no proposals to seek the amendment of the terms of reference of the Morris tribunal at this time.

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the publication of the 2004 annual report of the Garda Síochána Complaints Board. The report sets out the work of the board for the year and the progress made in a number of areas. I do not intend to go into detail on these as they are set out in the report itself and referred to in my press release of 14 June when I launched the report. That said, I note with satisfaction that...

Written Answers — Inquiries into Garda Activities: Inquiries into Garda Activities (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 61 together. Mr Shane Murphy, SC, has agreed to conduct a review of the Garda Síochana papers relating to the making by the late Mr. Dean Lyons of false inculpatory statements in the course of the Garda investigation into the murders of Mary Callinan and Sylvia Shiels at Grangegorman on 6 and 7 March 1997. Mr Murphy's terms of reference are as follows:...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The signature by Ireland of the three conventions, namely: (i) the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism [CETS 196]; (ii) the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings [CETS 197]; and (iii) the Council of Europe Convention on the Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism [CETS...

Written Answers — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that a contract has been signed for the purchase of the site and that plans are being formulated at present regarding the prison development. These will be made available in conjunction with the statutory planning process. In accordance with the Department of Finance regulations, the Prison Service is currently preparing a business case regarding the development for...

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

Michael McDowell: Disciplinary issues in relation to members of the force below the rank of superintendent are matters for the Garda Commissioner. I am satisfied that the Commissioner will take whatever measures are appropriate in relation to members at those levels arising from the second report of the Morris tribunal.

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

Michael McDowell: I have made clear that an apology is due on behalf of the State to everyone who has been wronged by Garda misconduct in Donegal, and this of course includes the Gallagher family. The terms of the apologies will be settled as part of the resolution of the related civil actions currently before the courts.

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

Michael McDowell: Senator Maurice Hayes is the chairperson of the implementation advisory group which I established to facilitate the timely implementation of the Garda Síochána Bill. The terms of reference of the group are: to review preparations for the timely implementation of the Garda Síochána Bill, with particular reference to the (i) establishment of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, (ii)...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The World Organisation against Torture, OMCT, registered a complaint against Ireland and four other countries with the European Committee of Social Rights under Article 17, rights of children and young persons to social, legal and economic protection, of the Council of Europe Revised European Social Charter. The complaint was made under Article 3 of the additional protocol which allows...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the Sex Offender Act 2001 provides for separate legal representation for complainants in rape and other serious sexual assault trials where an application is made to the court in the course of the trial to adduce evidence or cross-examine on the subject of the complainant's past sexual history. When preparing this legislation the legal advice available to my...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation remains ongoing. When the investigation is completed, a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I am further informed that Garda personnel from the southern Garda region, Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and Criminal Assets Bureau are involved in the investigation, and liaison is also ongoing with...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that substantial progress is being made with the investigation into the crimes referred to by the Deputy, with searches being conducted by members of the Garda Síochána resulting in 26 persons being arrested and questioned. Firearm, drugs, cash and other property were seized during these searches. Two persons have been charged and are before the courts...