Results 5,861-5,880 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Preliminary estimates of the cost of providing various services to the Thornton Hall site were prepared as part of the site evaluation process which was carried out by engineering consultants prior to the decision to purchase the site. The report estimated the cost of providing various services, such as mains water, foul sewer, and power including gas and electricity to the site at...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: At the outset, I recall that in October 2004, the Government approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 in line with the commitment contained in An Agreed Programme for Government. I subsequently announced the time-table for implementation of the expansion of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 at a press conference at Garda headquarters on 14 October 2004. The...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 100 together. I refer the Deputies to my detailed reply to Priority Questions Nos. 48 and 49 of today. In particular, I would draw attention to the financial and legislative resources already in place or being put in place to tackle serious crime and the fact that measures to tackle serious crime are kept under continuing review.

Written Answers — Garda Resourcing: Garda Resourcing (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is the Garda specialist unit tasked with the role of tackling organised crime. It carries out this role by conducting intelligence-driven operations in close co-operation with other specialist units specifically, the national criminal intelligence unit, the Garda national drugs unit, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Criminal Assets...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (23 Nov 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 2004 are set out in the following table. 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, murder and manslaughter,...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána at the end of each year from 2000-2004, inclusively, and as at 19 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Year Strength 2000 11,640 2001 11,815 2002 11,895 2003 12,017 2004 12,209...

Written Answers — Drugs Offences: Drugs Offences (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 22 November 2005 there were 527 persons serving prison sentences for drug offences including, possession of drugs for the purpose of sale, unlawful possession of drugs, unlawfully importing or exporting controlled drugs and unlawfully producing a controlled drug. There are no corresponding figures available for October 1997.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (23 Nov 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. The Deputy will be aware, however, that the Garda Síochána publicly confirmed the link between the money-laundering operation and the proceeds of the Northern Bank robbery. As the Garda investigation is...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that the high proportion of the Legal Aid Board's work which comes within the family law field reflects the nature of the demand for its services from clients. The scope of the Civil Legal Aid Act, which governs the work of the Legal Aid Board, is in fact broader than this and law centres undertake other civil law work, including medical and professional negligence...

Written Answers — Drugs Seizures: Drugs Seizures (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible, within the timeframe available, to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Diversion Programmes: Garda Diversion Programmes (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Children Act 2001, which came into law in May 2002, gave a statutory basis to the Garda diversion programme, which includes a restorative justice aspect. This programme has proven to be highly successful in diverting young people away from crime by offering guidance and support to juveniles and their families. In the more serious cases, juveniles are placed under the supervision of Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Diversion Programmes: Garda Diversion Programmes (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects are community based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved, or further involved, in anti-social and-or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve prospects of employability. The projects are funded by my Department...

Written Answers — Migrant Workers: Migrant Workers (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of Thursday, 17 November 2005 on the matter.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that 1,914 recruits have graduated from the Garda college since 6 June 2002. I am further informed that a total of 1,525 members — all ranks — have resigned, retired or otherwise left the Garda Síochána since 6 June 2002. Garda management also states that a...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that during the period 1 January to 31 October 2005, there were 26 road traffic fatalities in the Donegal Garda division. There were also 26 road traffic fatalities during the same period in 2004. In response to recent road traffic fatalities in the Inishowen area, the Garda Commissioner has set up a specialised dedicated traffic unit there. The unit,...

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

Michael McDowell: The Road Traffic Act 1994 provides that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of that vehicle, require that person to go to a Garda station and further require that person submit...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 107 together. The grounds on which an immigration officer may refuse leave to land to a person arriving in the State are set out in section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004. Some 3,732 persons were refused leave to enter the State at the country's ports of entry from 1 January 2005 to 31 October 2005. The main countries of origin of those refused entry...

Written Answers — Prison Population: Prison Population (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The following table sets out the average number in custody in each institution for each year since 1997. Institution 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Arbour Hill Prison 139 139 138 139 137 137 138 138 Castlerea Prison 25 109 195 190 N/A 193 195 210 Cloverhill Prison — — — 213 386 386 375 392 Cork Prison...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In respect of the joint committee's final report on the Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings, the primary recommendations relate to the establishment of a further inquiry into certain aspects of the State's handling of the bombings. In response, the Government, with the Taoiseach as sponsoring Minister, established a Commission of...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: On foot of my proposal, which was made with the approval of the Minister for Finance, the Government decided yesterday that a commission of investigation should be established into the making of a confession by the late Dean Lyons about the tragic deaths of Ms Mary Callinan and Ms Sylvia Shiels in March 1997 in Grangegorman, Dublin 7. Arrangements will now be made to have the relevant draft...