Results 8,161-8,180 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to priority Questions Nos. 3 and 5, respectively, of today's date.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 36 and 155 together. I regret that it has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputies in the time available but I will be in touch with them when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Most strategies from the business plan in question have been either partly or fully implemented. Where problems have arisen they have related mainly to the need to impose financial restrictions across the Prison Service in recent years against the backdrop of the industrial relations situation prior to agreement with the Prison Officers' Association on the proposal for organisational change...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour Orders: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have recently brought forward proposals concerning anti-social behaviour, including anti-social behaviour orders, as Committee Stage amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004. The Deputy refers to the concerns expressed by the chief executive of Barnardos UK regarding the alleged routine use of anti-social behaviour orders for children in that jurisdiction. I assure the Deputy that in...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Apr 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 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, or 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to priority Questions Nos. 3 and 5, respectively, of today's date.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Dublin metropolitan region. 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 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: An investigation file on the matter has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions and further inquiries are also being conducted. Ireland's anti-money laundering legislation and other measures were evaluated recently by the financial action task force, the leading international anti-money laundering organisation. The report of that evaluation contained a number of recommendations....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I assume the Deputy is referring specifically to section 5(6)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999, which provides that a person who is the subject of a deportation order may, in certain circumstances, be detained for a period not exceeding eight weeks in aggregate. For the reasons set out below I am satisfied that this law fully conforms with international human rights standards. It is important...

Written Answers — Firearms Amnesty: Firearms Amnesty (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose bringing forward a range of measures to strengthen the law governing the control of firearms in the Criminal Justice Bill, 2004, which is currently before the House. These new measures include increases in fines and penalties generally for offences under the Firearms Acts and the creation of mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, for certain firearms offences,...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government's top policing priority for 2006 is to continue to target organised crime, including drug trafficking and the gun culture associated with it, through the use of specialist units and targeted, intelligence-led operations. I assure the Deputy that I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner in order to keep the measures and resources for tackling serious crime under...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In December 2005, as part of a wider package of youth justice reforms, the Government approved the drafting of official amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 which will amend the Children Act 2001. The amendments were forwarded to the Ombudsman for Children on 20 December last. The Ombudsman submitted detailed advice concerning the proposed changes to the Children Act to my colleague,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since the introduction of the new penalty points offences on 3 April, a total of 3,661 fixed charge notices issued for road traffic offences for the nine days up to 12 April. Of these, speeding accounted for 1,738 notices, non-wearing of seat belts for 382 notices and new offences, introduced on 3 April 2006, for 1,541 notices. An additional 60 members of the Garda Síochána, as well as 28...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The current prison capital programme takes account of Council of Europe Recommendation No. R(99)22 concerning prison population inflation. The emphasis in the programme is on replacing outdated and unsuitable prisoner accommodation to ensure that prison overcrowding does not occur.

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region on 17 May, 2005 with a view to addressing the problem of serious crime, such as gun crime, robberies and burglaries and combating an emerging gun culture. At my request, Operation Anvil is being extended outside the Dublin metropolitan region during 2006. I have also obtained funding to enable Operation Anvil to continue as long as...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of each specialist unit within the Garda Síochána, as at 25 April 2006, is as set out hereunder. Unit Year of establishment Personnel Strength Special Detective Unit* 1922 302 National Bureau of Criminal Investigation...

Written Answers — Traveller Community: Traveller Community (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The high level group on Traveller issues was established at the request of the Taoiseach to examine ways of producing a more co-ordinated response from State bodies in addressing Traveller issues with a view to securing improved outcomes. The group's report was published on 21 March 2006 following its approval by the Government. The report includes a wide-ranging set of conclusions and...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Earlier this year I established the working group on domestic partnership. The group is charged with preparing an options paper, to be presented to me by 20 October. The group will consider the categories of partnerships and relationships outside of marriage, including those of same-sex couples, to which legal recognition can be afforded, consistent with constitutional provisions. I am...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 12 April 2006, Mr. Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, stated, inter alia, that, although a final analysis of member states' responses to his Article 52 inquiry was not yet completed, virtually no member state had proper legislative and administrative measures to effectively protect individuals against human rights violations committed by agents of friendly foreign...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I received a proposal from the Garda Commissioner within the past month seeking approval for the creation of 443 new sergeant posts and 73 new inspector posts. This proposal is primarily to cater for the substantial increase in membership of the force now under way. It also aims to increase the number of these posts in front line policing. The increase in strength of specialist units over the...