Results 8,181-8,200 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 158 and 163 together. The Private Security Authority, in conjunction with the National Standards Authority of Ireland, is currently developing a standard, which will underpin licensing for the cash-in-transit sector of the security industry. The detailed operational aspect of the standard will be a confidential document retained by the Garda Síochána....

Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána maintains an up-to-date assessment of the threat of attack from international terrorist groupings through analysis of intelligence gathered from domestic and international sources. Security threat assessments of this kind are furnished by the Garda Síochána at regular intervals to the Government and me. Although it is not the practice, and it would be contrary to the...

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

Michael McDowell: I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner to keep the measures and resources for tackling serious crime under continuing review, and to this end I will continue to do ensure that every necessary resource is made available to the Garda Síochána. In this regard, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána as at 31...

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

Michael McDowell: I share the concerns expressed about anti-social behaviour and its effects on people. In many such incidents, vulnerable people, often the elderly, are subjected to serious nuisance and forms of harassment which cause significant and persistent distress to the people concerned and interfere fundamentally with their capacity to enjoy quiet and peaceful lives. Often such people are simply too...

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

Michael McDowell: In his annual report for 2005, the Data Protection Commissioner states that the transposition of Directive 2006/24/EC on telecommunications traffic data into Irish law will offer an opportunity to review the provisions of Part 7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, which provides for the existing statutory framework for the retention of and access to telecommunications data...

Written Answers — Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is continuing to deliver on its core mandate of providing compensation to persons who have been the victim of violent crime and I pleased to be able to say that its financial allocation for 2006 is €5.041 million, representing an increase of 48% over 2005. Arrangements have also been put in place so as to facilitate the implementation by the...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 7 April, I met with senior representatives of the major cash-in-transit companies, the major financial institutions and the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. I convened this meeting in the aftermath of armed raids on cash-in-transit vehicles in the previous week and two foiled attempts the previous day. At a very frank and positive meeting, I impressed upon all...

Written Answers — Child Pornography: Child Pornography (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have received a copy of the recently published third report of the ISPAI hotline which was launched recently by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and I have noted its contents. Child pornography is illegal in this jurisdiction and in most other jurisdictions throughout the world. Under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, one of...

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 today, of today's date.

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: A voluntary code of practice, which sets out the agreed principles and minimum standards for the movement of cash was signed on 24 June 2005. Its objective is to encourage the highest standards of operation and, having due regard to the specific circumstances of each organisation, the implementation of integrated end-to-end solutions to create safe secure and efficient cash handling. The...

Written Answers — Garda Medical Support: Garda Medical Support (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: My attention has been drawn to issues raised by delegates to the recent annual conference of the AGSI regarding the level of medical support available to the Garda Síochána in dealing with both crime suspects and victims of crime, especially rape or other sexual assaults. The Irish Medical Organisation wrote to my Department in March of this year on these issues. Subsequently, the Garda...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The most immediate response to the reports of the Morris tribunal was to address the cases of individual wrongdoing or gross negligence uncovered. Following publication of the first report a superintendent was dismissed by the Government. Two superintendents criticised in the second report subsequently retired. Disciplinary action in respect of members of the force below the rank of...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities 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 that period. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána has legislative powers to photograph suspects who have been detained under the provision of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, as amended, the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and suspects arrested under the provision of section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939, as amended. Nothing prevents a member of the...

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position remains as set out in my response to Deputy McGrath on 28 March to Question No. 352.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The report referred to in the Deputy's question is entitled, All our Children — Child Impact Assessment for Irish Children of Migrant Parents, by the Children's Rights Alliance which was commissioned by CADIC — Coalition Against the Deportation of Irish Children. The report was furnished to my Department on 24 April 2006. The report will require examination but, on a preliminary basis, it...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application for residency in the State for the person in question is currently being processed. A request for further documentation has issued and on receipt of the required information a final decision will be made.

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

Michael McDowell: The Supreme Court in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions v Patrick O'Connor considered the application of EC Directive 72/166/EEC in this jurisdiction. The court held that random, non-discriminatory checks were permitted, but that if checks are to be random they should not be aimed against foreign registered cars only. The enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts by members of the...