Results 6,301-6,320 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Having briefed Mr. Feeney on the issue, I had hoped he would see that it was inappropriate to have such a person in a position of such importance and that the CPI would replace Mr. Connolly.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There was great resistance to such a proposition.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: When I heard Mr. Connolly on the radio repeatedly saying that these allegations lacked substance, I decided that I would accede to the request of Independent Newspapers to give it a copy of the application form so that the truth of this matter would be established.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not the case that I thought that FARC money was going to go to the CPI. The CPI was very adequately funded, as the Deputy knows. It is my view that the provisional movement, after its second ceasefire, sent that team to Colombia to bring money back to Ireland in exchange——

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——for know-how in terrorism and explosives, which has cost the lives of hundreds of people since in Colombia.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Timmins asked why the Irish Government assisted in the provision of bail for the Colombia three. This happened at the request of the gentlemen behind him who all claimed that lives of the Columbia three were in danger if they remained in prison. They skipped bail as soon as they were given it. The Irish Government——

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thought the Deputy claimed to be a democrat.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Government was told by Deputy Finian McGrath and others that the lives of these men were in danger as long as they were in prison. As a humanitarian gesture inspired by these gentlemen and no one else, they got bail and then they skipped it. That is what happened.

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an Teachta Ó Conchúbhair, le cead an Tigh. I welcome the introduction of this Private Members' Bill by Deputy Rabbitte and his colleagues in the Labour Party. It has a very specific focus, namely, to address certain deficiencies in the current law pertaining to the conduct of an inquest by a coroner. These deficiencies — the restriction on the...

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: This speech will be more sincere.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 to 370, inclusive, together. There have been no deportations to Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Angola or Kenya in the past year. It should be noted that consideration is given to the non-refoulement provision in section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended, before making a deportation to any country. My Department uses extensive country of origin information...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I informed the Deputy in reply to Question No. 192, which was for answer on 7 December, 2005, I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the information requested is not readily available in the detail sought. I will communicate further with the Deputy when the Garda authorities have compiled the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned has been granted leave to remain in the State for one year. This decision has been conveyed to him in a letter dated 9 December 2005. Upon receipt of this letter, the person concerned is advised to contact the Garda national immigration bureau, located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, to obtain the appropriate registration.

Written Answers — Prisoner Health Report: Prisoner Health Report (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 24 November, 2005. I understand that the salary costs of the research team undertaking the study referred to by the Deputy were met by the resources of the national forensic mental health service at the Central Mental Hospital. My Department provided the remainder of the funding required.

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (13 Dec 2005)

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

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the person in question has been asked to produce his driving licence and certificate of insurance at his local Garda station on four occasions in the past two years. Complaints have been made by the person in question on many occasions when he has been in contact with the Garda. These complaints have been, or are currently being, investigated...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The final report of the Garda human rights audit was publicly launched in March 2005 and is available on the Garda website, www.garda.ie. I fully support the Commissioner in commissioning and publishing the Garda human rights audit which identifies certain shortcomings in respect of the force in an open and transparent manner. The audit focuses on: the need for An Garda Síochána to further...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have asked the Garda Commissioner for information on the case raised by the Deputy and I will contact him again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to is serving a life sentence. He has been informed that the parole board will next review his case in early 2006 and I will make a decision on how best to proceed with this case once the advice and recommendations of the parole board has been received.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Sligo-Leitrim division as at 31 December 1997 was 257 in all ranks. The personnel strength of the Sligo-Leitrim division as at 9 December 2005 was 269 in all ranks. This...