Results 5,141-5,160 of 18,749 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Garda Investigations. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am satisfied that the Garda Síochána is fully and properly investigating the unfortunate death of Terence Wheelock. Deputy Costello made a number of points. I have been informed that Mr. Wheelock was found hanging from a ligature that was tied around his neck and suspended from a permanent fixture in the cell, which was an alarm buzzer panel. I have been further informed that the ligature...

Garda Investigations. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am simply informing the Deputy of my understanding of the circumstances in question. He will appreciate that the cell continues to be in daily use. When the Garda discovered that a ligature had been suspended from the alarm button in such an unlikely manner——

Garda Investigations. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——the responsible thing to do was to photograph the panel as it was found and to replace it so that it could not be used in such a manner again. If an event of this nature was to happen again, I am sure Deputy Costello would be the first to say that to leave the panel in such a condition was evidence of gross Garda negligence. I wish to clear up any doubt by reminding the House that such...

Garda Investigations. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Tribunals of inquiry operate in public, but commissions of inquiry do not. Deputy Costello should consult the relevant legislation for further details. It was always likely to be a private inquiry, unless the Deputy would have preferred me to have established a public tribunal of inquiry. I hope Mr. Hartnett's inquiry will proceed rapidly to investigate all the issues involved. I do not...

International Agreements. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: A bilateral agreement on immigration matters, including re-admission, was concluded in 2001 between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The agreement has not yet been officially ratified by the Nigerian side so there is not, as yet, in existence a co-ordinating committee as provided for in Article XIX of the agreement. Notwithstanding its...

International Agreements. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Every country of the European Union returns people to Nigeria. If I was to take on board the ill-considered views of the Deputy on this matter, nobody would be returned to Nigeria.

International Agreements. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: He is not. A couple of others have equally ill-considered views, perhaps including Deputy Finian McGrath.

International Agreements. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: If I were to state in the House, as Deputy Cuffe invites me to do, that nobody who comes to this country from Nigeria will be sent back there, the result would be plain for all to see.

International Agreements. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is saying that. He is suggesting that nobody should be sent back there.

International Agreements. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputies cannot have it every way. There has been a significant flow of people from Nigeria to Ireland, where they claim asylum, with a very high rejection rate. The predominant motivation of the great majority of people who come to Ireland and claim asylum has been economic — let us be honest about it. If this country, which has had an inordinately high flow of asylum seekers from...

Garda Equipment. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have always recognised the need to provide the Garda Síochána with secure radio communication systems. As the Deputy is aware, a pilot digital radio system covering the Dublin north central division and traffic section, Dublin Castle, has been completed by the Garda Síochána. Following its completion the Garda Síochána prepared and submitted to me a detailed business case for the...

Garda Equipment. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The contract is now the subject matter of a tender procedure which I hope will be concluded in the next few weeks. I hope after that we will be in a position to sign a contract with the successful tenderer for the roll-out of a national digital radio system for the Garda Síochána.

Garda Equipment. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Deputy for reminding us that this system is so antiquated. I remind him that it was not dealt with in the lifetime of previous Governments.

Garda Equipment. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am the Minister who is dealing with this issue. I have avoided the pitfall which was put to me of purchasing an entire system with a huge capital outlay. I have decided instead do it on an outsourced, service basis so that the Garda will have a proper system. If there is anything wrong with it, it will fall to the account of the service provider and not the Garda. I fully accept the point...

Garda Equipment. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As usual, the job, which was left undone by others, is being done by me.

Garda Equipment. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I notice there were no supplementary questions.

Drug Seizures. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The national drugs strategy addresses many of the problems of drug misuse across a number of pillars — supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research — and implementation of that strategy across a range of Departments and agencies is co-ordinated by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in particular by the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern....

Drug Seizures. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: To set the record straight, we are talking about kilograms rather than grams. Some 3 g would not be a great seizure rate in any year and we are talking about a very considerable trade in cocaine. I hope the Deputy does not take this point amiss but the majority of cocaine coming into Ireland comes from South America and a very considerable amount of it comes from Colombia. Persons not too...

Drug Seizures. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I agree with the Deputy that we have a considerable problem with cocaine and crack cocaine as an emerging aspect of the cocaine problem. I agree with him that it would be great if we could devote more resources to the battle against drugs. However, Garda resources have been used on other issues, as the Deputy knows. I hope part of the peace dividend, once the various paramilitary...

Communications Masts. (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The agreement was made in June 1997 between Esat Digifone, now O2, and the Commissioners of Public Works, the Minister for Finance, the Garda authorities and the Minister for Justice. I was not party to that agreement, as the question implies.