Results 5,901-5,920 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Ombudsman Commission: Ombudsman Commission (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will shortly bring to Government and the House proposals for the nomination of the three members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I am sure that the Ombudsman Commission will be anxious to liaise and co-operate with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and equivalent bodies in other jurisdictions to the fullest extent possible within the legal framework that applies in the...

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

Michael McDowell: An archaeological survey of the Thornton Hall site is currently underway. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process. The extent of excavation, if any, eventually to be decided upon will depend on a number of factors including the results of initial work and what parts of the 150 acre site are to be built upon. It is not possible therefore to give an estimate of the...

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

Michael McDowell: The Government has accepted in principle the recommendations in the Ferns Report and has given a commitment to their implementation by all relevant Departments and agencies. A specific suggestion in the Ferns Report is that consideration should be given to the introduction of a new criminal offence which would apply to situations where any person "wantonly or recklessly engages in conduct...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 179 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region on 17 May 2005. Operation Anvil is an ongoing operation. The primary focus of this intelligence driven operation is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting this...

Written Answers — Judicial Ethics: Judicial Ethics (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the proposed Judicial Council Bill which will provide for the establishing of a judicial council with responsibility for a number of matters, including the devising of a code of ethics for the judiciary and the investigation of alleged breaches of that code. It is not true to suggest, as does the Deputy's question, that there is in place at present a...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to by the Deputy was transferred from Castlerea Prison to Wheatfield Prison in order to allow him access to the therapeutic services available there. It is, of course, open to this person to apply for a return to Castlerea Prison. I understand, however, that no such application was ever received. I am also informed that this...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (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 each Garda station in the Mayo division as at 31 December in each year since 1997 and as at 19 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Station 97 98 99 2000 01 02 03 04 19/11/05 Castlebar 58 59 58 59...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, following on from undertakings given by the Government in the Good Friday Agreement, a review of the services and arrangements in place in this jurisdiction to meet the needs of those who have suffered as a result of violent action arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland was conducted. As a result of this review, the Remembrance Commission and the scheme of...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda schools programme — primary — was launched in 1991. The Garda secondary schools programme was piloted in 2003 and officially launched in November 2004. The aim of the Garda schools programme is to teach children sensible and responsible patterns of behaviour in order that they may: lessen the risks they may face through crime; be safer on the roads and at home; positively...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda recruits do not pay for their uniform. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that student gardaí are informed prior to commencement of training that they are required to purchase items of clothing, footwear and bedding for their own personal use. They are also informed that these items may be purchased at the Garda college at...

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

Michael McDowell: The recent recruitment competition which was advertised by the Public Appointments Service in September and October 2005 followed new regulations which I made in September 2005 with the approval of Government to alter the rules governing entry to the Garda Síochána. These changes included clarification on nationality and residence requirements and removed the requirement to hold a...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 61 on Thursday 20 October 2005. A total of 413 unaccompanied minors, who have now reached the age of 18 years, have been refused refugee status since 1 January 1999. A total of 211 of these have been decided to date under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, resulting in 108 deportation orders, 72 grants of conditional...

Written Answers — Rehabilitation of Offenders: Rehabilitation of Offenders (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In general, there is no provision in Irish law allowing for the expunging of criminal convictions from the Garda criminal records. However, with the introduction of the Children Act 2001, provision was made for a limited "wiping of the slate" in respect of most offences committed by persons under 18 once certain conditions have been met. The provision in the Children Act, which came into...

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 Carlow-Kildare division as at 21 November 2005 was 331 across all ranks. The personnel strength of the Garda station at Kill, County Kildare as at 22 November 2005 was three across all ranks. The local Garda management is...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. The Garda authorities inform me that there has been a decrease in the recorded instances of burglary and car theft from 831 in 2000 to 822 in 2004 in the Naas Garda district, which includes Kill. I am further informed that the personnel strength of Kill Garda station as at 22 November 2005 was three across all ranks. Kill Garda station is...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the position of the application in question.

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 Kerry division as at 22 November 2005 was 266 across all ranks. I have been further informed that the personnel strength of Tralee Garda station as at 22 November 2005 was 87 across all ranks. Garda management will continue to...

Written Answers — Ground Rents Abolition: Ground Rents Abolition (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: As regards the abolition of ground rents, a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions of the existing ground rents legislation has been heard and judgment is awaited. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate to proceed with proposals for further legislation in this area until the outcome of this case is known. As regards expired leases on dwelling houses,...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A working group chaired by my Department and representing the Department of Transport, the Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies, carried out an in-depth examination into the engagement of private sector interests in the provision and operation of speed cameras. On the basis of the group's report, my colleague the Minister for Transport and I presented proposals to Government in July...

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

Michael McDowell: The Government has approved in principle the development of a new prison complex on the Thornton site on a value for money PPP basis. The Prison Service is currently preparing a detailed assessment of the project in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines for the provision of capital projects through public private partnerships which will result in a detailed business case being...