Results 4,621-4,640 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The assessment and provision of security for Government Ministers is a matter for the Garda Síochána. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not in the public interest to disclose funding levels in respect of such security matters because this information may provide an indication of the level and kinds of security in operation.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans to amend legislation in respect of the specifics of this case.

Written Answers — European Arrest Warrants: European Arrest Warrants (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 to 551, inclusive, together. The European Arrest Warrant Act came into operation on 1 January 2004. Two persons have been surrendered from Ireland to the UK generally during this period. One of these was to Northern Ireland. Neither of the cases was terrorism related. There have been no persons surrendered to date to other EU countries on foot of European...

Written Answers — Racist Attacks: Racist Attacks (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence to suggest that a neo-Nazi group is active in the Dublin area. However, I am further informed that, on 18 June last, a number of persons were arrested in connection with firearms offences. The associated Garda investigation is continuing in an effort to establish if the arrested persons have any links to such organisations...

Written Answers — Racist Attacks: Racist Attacks (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 offers comprehensive protection to persons having hatred incited against them on account of their race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, membership of the travelling community or sexual orientation. Public incitement to hatred, on any of the above grounds, is a criminal offence under section 2 and section 3 of the 1989...

Written Answers — Recidivism Rate: Recidivism Rate (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The study to which I believe the Deputy refers in his question, Supporting Families of Drug-Dependent Offenders, examined the level of support that was available to families of drug dependent offenders in four European countries. The purpose of the study was to find out what services were available and what services were valued or desired by offenders and their families. This study did not, I...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that a preliminary hearing has been held by the Louth county coroner and that the inquest is due to be held on 5 September 2005 at the coroner's office inDundalk. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the coroner in question has requested a number of Garda files in this case, which have been provided to him.

Written Answers — Treatment of Prisoners: Treatment of Prisoners (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The probation and welfare service operates under the aegis of my Department and has in the region of 430 staff and an annual budget of approximately €45 million. The objective of the service is to reduce re-offending and protect the public. It provides assessments on offenders to the courts and is responsible for the proposal and implementation of community sanctions. It also provides a...

Written Answers — Treatment of Travellers: Treatment of Travellers (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I note with interest the observations of the Committee for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, CERD, in respect of the issue of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group. As the Deputy is aware, the CERD defines "racial discrimination" as any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The Government is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statement in respect of the individual Votes within the Justice Group for 2004. Vote Net Estimate Provision €000 Surplus to be Surrendered €000 Surplus to be Surrendered as a % of the Net Estimate Provision Justice, Equality & Law Reform 339,098 5,812 1.71 Garda Síochána ...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The costs of implementing the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003 are met from my Department's administrative budget and cannot readily be distinguished from the cost of providing services generally. The provision in respect of 2005 is expected to be sufficient to meet any needs arising in the current year.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together. This person has instituted judicial review proceedings challenging the deportation order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on it.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the numbers of prosecutions for breaches of the three tonne limit on Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, for the years 2002 to 2005, inclusive, are shown on the attached table: Year Prosecutions 2002 8 2003 2 2004 5 2005 48

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Garda authorities that eight criminal cases were initiated in connection with allegations of criminal behaviour on the part of some gardaí in Donegal division. Details are provided in appendix 1 of this reply. A total of 89 plenary summonses in respect of civil actions have been served on the State in connection with the allegations of wrongful behaviour of members of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that complaints made to the Garda Síochána in respect of allegations of the kind referred to by the Deputy are thoroughly investigated by it in order to establish the facts of the complaint and to gather evidence in order to determine if a prosecution is warranted for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Provisions for victims are made by...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Neighbourhood watch was established in 1985 as a crime prevention measure for urban areas and there are approximately 2,600 neighbourhood watch schemes in operation nationwide. In common with other community schemes, it enlists the voluntary help of the community in co-operation with the Garda and is most suitable for urban areas. Although no dedicated departmental financial allocations have...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 230 posts in the Land Registry are scheduled to be relocated to Roscommon town. The Land Registry's implementation plan in respect of this move is available on my Department's website. The selection process with regard to property solutions to fulfil the accommodation brief for the staff decentralising to Roscommon is progressing and the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that residency has been granted to the person in question and that she was advised in writing of the decision on 21 June 2005.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 569 together. Preliminary estimates of the cost of servicing the Thornton Hall site were prepared as part of the detailed site evaluation process which was carried out by engineering consultants on a number of sites. This placed the total estimated cost of providing mains water, foul sewer and power including gas and electricity to the site at €8.5...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (30 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the Censorship of Publications Board currently has one vacancy for a member due to the death of one of the members. The Irish Legal Terms Advisory Committee has two vacancies, one being for chairperson due to the resignation of Mr. Pádraig Ó hUiginn. The other vacancy is due to Mr. Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh taking up a position in the European Court of Justice....