Results 9,741-9,760 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I have been...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below. The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has a budget of €1,100,000 for 2006. The Commission is charged with the disbursement of funding for victim support and assistance measures. The Commission received 40 applications for funding following a national advertising campaign and formal application process during April 2006....

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Gardaí are investigating a number of complaints regarding this type of fraud. As the Garda investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment further as this time.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that funding is made available by my Department through the Probation Service for a range of facilities and programmes that support the work of the Service in the management of persons who are on court ordered supervision in the community, have been released from custody and where there is capacity for or risk of re-offending. The Probation Service supports sixty six...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I assume the Deputy is referring to misconduct which is comprehended by the terms of reference of the Morris Tribunal. There has been one major Garda investigation whose primary focus concerned Garda misconduct arising form the events in Donegal. That investigation, which was carried out by Assistant Commissioner Carty, was wide-ranging and covered a number of issues arising from the original...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a certificate confirming the Irish citizenship of the person in question was signed on 15 May 2006 and passed to the Department of Foreign Affairs shortly after for onward transmission to the individual concerned.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The processing by my Department of the application from this group for funding is being finalised following some exchange of correspondence and I expect that a decision will be made shortly on the application.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are 19 civilian staff currently employed in the Cavan/Monaghan Division. There are also three members of An Garda Síochána in receipt of an Ex-Gratia allowance to perform clerical duties who could be released to policing duties if civilian staff were available. However, as the Deputy will be aware, progress in relation to the appointment of additional Clerical Officers to Garda...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 623 to 626, inclusive, together. My Department was first contacted about this matter in June 2005. A request for information from the Pat Finucane Centre was transmitted to my Department via the Department of Foreign Affairs. Officials of my Department, in turn, passed this request to An Garda Síochána, and a comprehensive record search was conducted in...

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: If the House is willing to discuss the amendments made in the Seanad together, I am happy to accede to the Deputy's suggestion. The first amendment made by the Seanad relates to section 5. It was on foot of an adaptation of a Fine Gael amendment in that House and it provides that a record shall be made as soon as is practicable but a failure to record the direction with regard to the...

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: None of these amendments is contentious. Four of them arise from Opposition amendments and give effect to those amendments, whether they were made by this or the other House and whether they are applicable to the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill or this Bill. I do not expect the Deputies to have any difficulty with the amendments.

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The eyes of the media are on us. The Deputy can be absolutely sure of that.

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thank Deputies for contributing to this debate. There is consensus that the amendments made in the Seanad were sensible and I am glad this House is willing to identify with them and accept them without division. I fully accept it is embarrassing for Fine Gael and the Labour Party to contemplate division. Within two weeks they have divided three or four times on matters of central...

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Cuffe made the point that one should be conscious of the causes of crime. I agree completely that one should be, because remedial and reactive measures are not the only way that society deals with criminality and the causes of crime. I remind the Deputy that the resources to which he addressed his mind just a moment ago do not emanate from nowhere. They come from the pursuit of...

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The crucial thing that must always be remembered is that those parties that consistently opposed efforts to create a congenial climate for the creation of resources in this society should now rethink their positions. I am a good man for rethinking my position.

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Other Deputies seems to be totally blind to the fact——

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——that they opposed, tooth and nail, every single tax reduction to which they are now irrevocably committed to maintaining, when they were put before this House.

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: They voted against every Finance Bill and every measure that was introduced to make Ireland successful.

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: They have a sad attachment to the outdated ideology of another era.

Criminal Justice Bill 2006: From the Seanad. (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: It may well be that in the remaining eight, nine or ten months of the life of this Dáil——