Results 8,941-8,960 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Deportation Orders. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I agree the information should be available but I note from the information in the table that no clarification has been added. Deputy Howlin asked how to decide between a commercial and a charter flight. Depending on the nature of a passenger on a commercial flight, a garda may have to be handcuffed, or in close proximity, to the passenger.

Deportation Orders. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is in case he or she becomes disruptive on the plane. One immigration officer had his arm broken by a person resisting deportation. Disruptive passengers may necessitate flights to be grounded and arrests made. The views of other passengers must be taken into account, especially on long-haul flights, if a significantly disruptive passenger is on a plane. It is not an exact science but the...

Deportation Orders. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Any person in danger of violence etc. in the host country is entitled to resist deportation on refoulement grounds. If somebody is brought from Dublin to Lagos, for example, by airplane, arrangements are made by an advanced party of gardaí for reception and processing in Lagos. Arrangements are made for overnight accommodation for such people if they so wish. After that, these people are in...

Deportation Orders. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: My experience is that 16 year olds and 17 year olds who come in from a number of these states, and one state in particular, have crossed half the world to get here. Very frequently the account given shows a considerable degree of independence of mind on their part. Their histories show that these are functioning people with a good appreciation of their whereabouts etc. Once a person is of...

Independent Inquiries. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The independent statutory inquiry process established by me pursuant to section 12 of the Dublin Police Act 1924, as applied and amended, has been under way for some time following the appointment of Mr. Hugh Hartnett, SC, on 14 September 2005 to conduct it. Mr. Hartnett decided that the inquiry was to be held in private and he is not, under his terms of reference, required to report to me on...

Independent Inquiries. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of some press coverage of the kind the Deputy referred to, and some of it has not been completely fair. As I understand it, the particular incident coming before the District Court occurred at a time before there was public controversy relating to the Brian Rossiter case. That was not brought to the public's attention in the press reportage. The public dimension to the case came...

Health Services. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. The Department has been advised by the HSE that the allocation in 2006 for the north-east hospital network is €216 million....

Mental Health Services. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thank Deputy Wall for raising the issue and I assure him I will bring his remarks to the attention of the Tánaiste. The management and delivery of services at Clonree House is primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive. The HSE has informed the Department of Health and Children that Clonree House opened in December 2005 to facilitate the refurbishment of another residential...

Graffiti Offences. (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am standing in for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, but I agree with every word the Deputy stated. Our response to graffiti has not been adequate to date and serious action must be taken on it. The constituency Deputy Gormley and I share has been under sustained attack in recent times. It seems to be spreading everywhere. I will...

Written Answers — Criminal Sentences: Criminal Sentences (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service — which is responsible for the day to day management of the courts — is independent in the performance of its functions. I am responsible for ensuring that the Service is adequately funded and resourced and, in this regard, €111.8m is provided for that organisation in 2006. Having regard to the compilation of a database of...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The inter-departmental group which is examining Irish language training for Garda recruits has met formally on two occasions. However, its members have also been in continuing informal contact on the issues under discussion. The Garda Commissioner had also established a working group to examine the teaching of Irish in the Garda College. I am advised that the two groups have liaised closely...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that policing operations and the deployment of Garda resources are matters for the Garda authorities. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within divisions on a priority basis in accordance with overall policing requirements. However, I am, of course, in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner in order to keep the measures...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: In March 2005, I established a new Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime to devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future and to disburse funding for victim support measures. The Commission is entirely independent in its decision making and examines each application on its merits. The Commission received an application from the Missing in Ireland...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 9 May 2006, my Government colleague, Mr. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D. Minister for State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government responded on my behalf to an Adjournment matter by the Deputy in relation to this case. The response is on the record of this House. In that response, I explained that the processing time was primarily as a result of the increase in the volume of...

Written Answers — State Pathologist's Office: State Pathologist's Office (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, I have already signalled the fact that I am exploring a number of possibilities aimed at further enhancing the services provided by the State Pathologist's Office. This exercise, which is taking place in consultation with the Chief State Pathologist, is in train at the moment and until such time as I have made a decision in this matter it would be premature to say...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that I share the view expressed by the Chief Justice in April last that hastily-prepared legislation can sometimes lead to difficulties, among them the fact adverted to by the Chief Justice on the same occasion that it may be necessary for the Courts to interpret such legislation. It is one of the aims of the process of developing legislation within my Department in...

Written Answers — Legal Protection Measures: Legal Protection Measures (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, sections 18 and 20 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 make statutory provision in relation to the justifiable use of force in order to protect a person or property or to prevent a crime. Section 18 sets out the various purposes for which justifiable force may be lawfully used and not constitute an offence. The force used must be reasonable by...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: In August 2005, I received a submission from the Garda Commissioner on the resourcing requirements of An Garda Síochána. The submission was based on the Commissioner's analysis of the policing challenges facing An Garda Síochána in the medium and longer term, including the implications of demographic change, the need to continue to combat crime and terrorist threats, and the requirements...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my reply to Priority Question No. 4 on 27 April 2006, I provided a comprehensive update on the significant progress being made in relation to civilianisation. I am pleased to inform the Deputy, that in the short time since that reply was given, further significant progress has been made. There are now almost 100 staff either working or in training at the Garda Information Service Centre...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (8 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 22, 37 and 48 together. There is no doubt that recent events have highlighted communications issues between my Department and the Offices of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor. An examination of communications within the Office of the Attorney General took place some years ago that resulted in some administrative changes in that Office and...