Results 7,681-7,700 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: At present it is my intention to attend the 90th anniversary military parade and the State reception following same at Dublin Castle on Sunday, 16 April 2006.

Written Answers — Parental Leave: Parental Leave (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: A review of the maternity protection legislation was carried out in 2000 by a working group, chaired by my Department, which comprised the social partners and relevant Departments and agencies. A review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 was conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. This working group was also comprised the social partners, relevant Departments and the Equality...

Written Answers — Youth Projects: Youth Projects (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The project referred to by the Deputy closed on 31 May 2005, following the withdrawal of service by the employing agency, which informed the Garda Síochána by letter dated 25 April 2005 of their intention to withdraw from the project. Local gardaí ensured that all property purchased by the project with public funding was accounted for and stored for future use. Following the closure of the...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I believe the applicant referred to by the Deputy is resident in Moscow. My Department has established a dedicated visa office in Moscow and when the application is received it will be examined in line with the usual criteria for such an application.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not propose to expand on what I have previously said on the matter of costs. The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Finance has just completed the first stage of an EU restricted tender procedure and will shortly issue full tender documents to the shortlisted bidders. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on costs at this juncture as I do not want to set expectations for...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together. The procurement of a managed digital radio service is well advanced by the CMOD division of the Department of Finance, which is undertaking the procurement on behalf of the Garda Síochána and other blue light and State agencies. It is proposed to roll out the new Garda digital radio system this year. As is appropriate in any major...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides the total number of headline offences, by group, recorded and detected in the Garda division of Roscommon-Galway East for the years 2000 to 2005, inclusive, and up to 28 February 2006. I am pleased to note that the statistics show a decrease of 5.5% in recorded crime when comparing 2004 with 2005, and a decrease of 19.4%...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: For policing purposes the country is divided into six regions, each of which is commanded by a regional assistant commissioner. The duties of the regional assistant commissioners are mainly operational and they are responsible for ensuring the operational efficiency of their respective region and, in particular, the quality of operational management exercised by their respective divisional...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743, or 16.3%, in the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána during that period. I...

Written Answers — Garda Band: Garda Band (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Band are appointed in accordance with the provisions of regulation 14 of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 which provide that: Where the Commissioner is satisfied that a person has special aptitudes, knowledge, skills or technical qualifications which justify his appointment and enrolment under...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The cost of research into public attitudes on crime and law enforcement, conducted by TNS MRBI on behalf of my Department, was €17,175.95, including VAT.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Mar 2006)

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 — State Vehicles: State Vehicles (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Ministers and others pursuant to a long-standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: Taoiseach, Tánaiste, 13 Ministers, President, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, former Taoisigh and Presidents. There are no set rules as to when ministerial cars are replaced but, in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that both local and Dublin metropolitan region traffic division personnel are actively enforcing the three tonne limit for traffic at Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20. From 1 January 2006 to 23 March 2006, 39 summonses have been applied for by the Garda Síochána. I am further informed that...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question has been received and has now been correctly completed. It has been assigned reference number 68/1336/06. The file is due to be referred to me in the next few days and I will give consideration to the...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 to 403, inclusive, together. Ireland ratified the UNCERD Convention in 2000 and was one of the countries that opted for the Article 14 provision, which allows a right of individual petition to the United Nations, all local remedies having being exhausted. In terms of giving legal effect to the convention, I draw the Deputy's attention to sections 97 to 101...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that on 16 March 2005 the individual referred to by the Deputy appeared before Dublin District Court charged with an offence under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended. He pleaded guilty to the charge and the case was adjourned until 27 April 2005 when the presiding judge found the facts of the case proved. Arising from the court's...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the individual referred to by the Deputy had three breaches of discipline adjudicated upon by a tribunal of inquiry set up pursuant to regulation 15 of the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 1989. As the findings of the tribunal were made in private in accordance with regulation 22, it is not Garda policy to disclose in public the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 409, inclusive, 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 all ranks of the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1997 and 20 March 2006 was 10,702 and 12,445, respectively. This represents an increase of 1,743, or 16.3%, in the...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (28 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 410 to 412, inclusive, and 437 together. The number of gardaí who carry arms on duty at any particular time is an operational matter for the commissioner. Instruction governing the use of firearms and practical tactical training is provided for each firearm on issue to the Garda Síochána. Members must achieve the necessary skills and standards to meet the...