Results 981-1,000 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Freedom of Information. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: On the contrary, a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act does not bind the Minister not to release that information to any other person before the request is dealt with. There is no monopoly on information under the Freedom of Information Act. I know some Ministers have made a habit of releasing such information to everybody if one person asks for it except in the case...

Freedom of Information. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I accept none of those propositions. It is perfectly reasonable to put important information, which is about to be released, into the hands of somebody who will be objective about it rather than put it in the hands of somebody who will make political use of it. Far from politicising the process, by handing it to an independent journalist rather than to a political opponent, the public is much...

Freedom of Information. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: There is a misconception, particularly among Opposition Deputies, that if they make a freedom of information request they will be the first to receive the information and that nobody else will receive the information, so that they can put the first spin on it and hunt through it for the bits of it they want to release to put the worst possible complexion on any matter.

Freedom of Information. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am very sorry to say that I do not play a naïve game of politics like that. While I play a robust game in politics, I will not enable my opponents to spin against me without having at least the opportunity to put my side of the story into the public domain.

Freedom of Information. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I will uphold the rights of a free and independent press wherever necessary.

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda Síochána that it is examining the costs and benefits of developing spatial information functionality as an extension to the PULSE system. When this has been done, the merits of developing such a system will be considered alongside other information systems priorities. In this regard, my Department has recently given approval to the Garda authorities to carry out an...

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Garda radio network is the subject of a later question and I do not want to trespass too much on another Member's business. A proposal to roll out a €100 million to €200 million digital radio network for the Garda is under consideration and a pilot project has already been conducted. I am addressing the issue head-on.

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I do not concede that. It is technologically poor by reference to the capability of a proper digital system. As Minister, I am facing head-on the issue of the introduction of a digital radio communications network for the Garda. The necessary resources will be substantial and it will require considerable effort to ensure that whatever system we chose is the right one and economical. The same...

Computerisation Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I imagine that as part of the strategy for 2004 to 2009, a pilot programme to evaluate spatial technology will probably be deployed.

Road Safety. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am strongly of the view that some non-core functions carried out by gardaí could just as effectively be carried out by persons without full Garda powers. This is especially true of some aspects of the enforcement of road safety. The current provisions of the Road Traffic Acts specify that certain elements of the administration of its provisions should be carried out by members of the...

Road Safety. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I do not wish to anticipate the results of the working group's studies. By definition, fixed grey-box speed cameras produce a record of the kind in question. As there is no garda sitting inside the box, whatever it produces must constitute a record of a car and its speed. Nobody else is there to witness an offence. While the record is not furnished on the spot to the motorist, it is furnished...

Road Safety. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am not in a position to state what the costs would be. It would be unwise to do so as there will eventually be some form of tendering process.

Road Safety. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: This is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Brennan. I am not passing the buck or trying to abdicate responsibility but, as far as the legislation is involved, responsibility for developing policy and choosing different systems rests primarily with the Department of Transport. It used to lie with the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I agree...

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Office of Public Works was asked earlier this year to assist in the identification of possible sites for a complex to replace the current prison facilities centred around Mountjoy Prison. The Office of Public Works subsequently made inquiries which included the placing of advertisements in the national press and, arising from this process, approximately 30 potential sites have been...

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I detect a certain reluctance on the part of Deputy Costello to see this change take place. If I thought for a minute that it made sense to continue developing the city centre location as a prison site, I would have found that much more convenient, but it is not acceptable. It is not possible to provide a proper modern prison on the Mountjoy site with all the necessary medical and other...

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Regarding the timescale, I aim to make an early decision on this project. We have under consideration approximately 30 sites proffered by their current owners. Some of these appear to be suitable for our purpose. I do not propose to publish this list for the obvious reason that these people have tendered their land in confidence and have indicated prices.

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: They are all within easy access of Dublin city.

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: What was Deputy O'Keeffe's other question?

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: While it is difficult to put an exact value on the complex of buildings at Mountjoy in the context of redevelopment, I imagine it is somewhere between €40 million and €80 million. The cost of acquiring the land for a new premises would be possibly between €7 million and €15 million in current use terms.

Prisons Building Programme. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Depending on what is built, the new buildings would cost approximately €100 million to €120 million.