Results 6,721-6,740 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Forensic Testing. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The legislation has been sent for drafting and I hope to publish it in the summer of this year. I agree with the Deputy that this is a very important area of science and criminology. I am working at the moment on an ambitious programme to give the Forensic Science Laboratory, an important State service, a new home, and to do so as rapidly as I possibly can. I hope to provide facilities in a...

Forensic Testing. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will not comment on any individual person or case. I am not in a position to do so and it would be inappropriate to act in the manner the Deputy invites me to. I agree that the basis on which people volunteer information or a sample should not be abused. If they are led to believe that what they volunteer is to be used solely for the purposes of one particular investigation then that should...

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am assured by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána is capable of operating the expanded fixed charge and penalty points system when it comes into effect on 3 April 2006. In this regard, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the fixed charge processing system, using hand-held machines which currently process the offences of speeding and the non-wearing of seat belts, is...

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: When this proposal was originally adopted it was decided to adopt a phased approach to ensure the early implementation of the system. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that an outsourced payment collection system, integrated with the PULSE system, is being put in place and will be operational on 3 April 2006. The Deputy is a bit behind the times in terms of PULSE.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should put his ear to the ground again. He will find out that the system is improving dramatically, helped by the establishment of dedicated call centres intended to relieve the pressure on individual gardaí queueing up at terminals to make their inputs.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: An interaction capacity with the Courts Service computer system had to be put in place for summonses and other matters. A number of systems had to be married and time was needed to ensure this worked.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been assured that it will work. We also had to find a method of payment which would exclude gardaí because I did not want officers sitting behind counters in stations and taking money.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: We have instead given a contract to An Post, which will begin to operate a centre in every Garda division. By the end of the roll-out, it will be possible to pay for penalty points in every post office. Fixed penalty points will be recorded on a person's licence and, in the event of the fine being unpaid by the end of the relevant period, warning notices will be automatically sent out,...

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: In terms of the guff coming from me——

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not bring road traffic Bills, the policy on which is laid down by the Department of Transport. I am not washing my hands of the situation but the use of mobile telephones is not within my remit.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is somebody else's business.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have no doubt it will be dealt with. Deputy Costello will be pleased to learn that I attended a meeting this morning with a number of other Ministers and the Attorney General, at which I was told the relevant road traffic legislation will be given the greatest priority.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The requisite changes of the law will be introduced and pushed through with speed. I hope he will not consider it an indecent speed.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I fully accept the points made by the Deputy but we have to remember a number of issues. It cannot be denied that the number of deaths on the roads has climbed relative to an exponential increase in the number of cars. With 800,000 cars the figures were roughly comparable to what they are now with 2 million people. That cuts both ways because in many parts of the country it is not possible to...

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: A number of specific issues arose for consideration today. I compliment RTE on using a news programme the other day to highlight the issue. I was alarmed to estimate that 20% to 25% of the names of people who died in accidents scrolling up the screen were non-nationals. We have to get across to them that they have a collective problem.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not doing that.

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will have to revert to the Deputy on the latter question. I appreciate his point that on-line payment is a sensible way to deal with the matter. On the remuneration basis, I understand that a fee per item basis is being contemplated. That is the only way An Post can incentivise post office owners and managers around the country. It will not be a question of giving people incentives to hand...

Road Traffic Offences. (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Most recent road traffic deaths have involved single vehicle incidents, which raises questions about individual responsibility.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the policy of direct provision. Direct provision is the means by which the State discharges its obligations to provide for the basic requirements of asylum seekers. For the most part, this represents a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: In relation to bail in general, I would point out to the Deputy that during the term of office of the rainbow coalition the number of prisoners on temporary release reached an all-time high of 20% at one stage. As a result of the action of this Government, this so-called revolving door system operated by the rainbow coalition has been stopped and the percentage of the prison population on...