Results 1,021-1,040 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the Irish Prison Service and the Irish Medical Organisation are engaged in separate contacts with the Labour Relations Commission about the possibility of convening further conciliation talks in an effort to resolve the matters in dispute. I have asked the director general of the Irish Prison Service to keep me briefed on the progress of these contacts. My overriding...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 85 together. As I remarked in my reply to Deputy Ó Snodaigh's priority question, the Irish Human Rights Commission produced a 32-page document of observations on which it would not be possible in the limited time available for parliamentary questions for me to give a detailed response. I propose instead to concentrate here on the principal points made...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my recent reply to Question No. 30 of 5 May 2004 on this matter. The position remains unchanged. As regards the issue of the availability of firearms, the Deputy will be aware that the holding of a firearm is strictly governed by the provisions of the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 2000. The Garda Síochána take all appropriate action to ensure that illegally held firearms are...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 67 of 5 May 2004 in which I indicated that I am considering proposals for a new prison drugs policy and examining whether it would be effective in ridding our prisons of drugs. It is my intention to publish the new policy in due course.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in tabular format, a copy of which is being circulated to Deputies.

Written Answers — Defamation Law: Defamation Law (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 31 and 145 answered together of 5 May 2004. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána, all ranks, as at 28 May 2004 was 11,964. In April 2000, the Government agreed, inter alia, to a system of delegated authority under which recruitment is carried out to maintain the strength of the force at an agreed...

Written Answers — Garda Organisational Structures: Garda Organisational Structures (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Garda SMI implementation steering group looked in detail at a range of areas within the Garda Síochána and its report puts forward recommendations for broad based reform of the structure, management and service delivery of the organisation. I am having the report examined in my Department and will give careful consideration to all of the steering group's recommendations and to the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: When I appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights on 9 December 2003, I addressed in detail, with particular reference to the activities of criminal gangs, the measures I intend bringing forward to enhance the investigation and prosecution of criminal offence. I intend to provide for measures that require legislative provision in the...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: A broad range of strong legislation is available to the Garda to enable serious and organised crime to be confronted effectively. Our criminal legislative framework reflects international developments to respond to the growth of organised crime and specific measures enacted to meet our particular domestic situation. With regard to initiatives in this area, I draw the Deputy's attention to the...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The issues highlighted by the visiting committees to the various prisons and places of detention are being addressed through the prisons capital building programme. For example, at Limerick Prison, a new block with space for 100 prisoners has recently been opened and a new education and services building will commence construction in the next few months. I also recently announced that, I am...

Written Answers — Witness Security Programme: Witness Security Programme (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Following a judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Garda authorities instituted a review of the procedures of the witness security programme, which operates under the direct control and administration of the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that this review is ongoing. The review includes consideration of the relevant judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal;...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to the recent Supreme Court decision of 17 May 2004 in the case of McK and D, which found that the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 has no application where the criminal activity in question has occurred outside the State. An amendment to ensure the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 can be applied to seize and confiscate assets, which are situated in this jurisdiction and...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda mountain bike unit was introduced on a pilot basis on 5 June 2001 in two districts — Tallaght and Raheny — within the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR. Following an evaluation of the pilot project the mountain bike unit was extended within the DMR and to the Galway and Limerick divisions in 2002. Additional bicycles were...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I have previously outlined to the House, I am still consulting the Garda authorities and the Office of the Attorney General to assist me in making a decision on the request for an inquiry into the murders in question. I will make a decision on the request as soon as all relevant advice is received and considered.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: In accordance with the recommendation of Mr. Justice Peter Cory, I secured Government approval in December last for the establishment of a public inquiry into the murders in 1989 of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Bob Buchanan. The Government further approved that the public inquiry will take the form of a tribunal of inquiry pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry...

Written Answers — Citizenship Rights: Citizenship Rights (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Chen case referred to by the Deputy is one in which the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice is of the opinion that Mrs. Chen, in availing herself of the treaty provisions that grant a right of residence to her daughter and by extension to herself, is circumventing the provisions of United Kingdom law which restrict the right of residence of nationals of non-member states. I...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Legal Aid Board does not process information relating to the length of waiting lists for free legal aid. However, it records the time the person longest on the waiting list has waited. The following table shows the length of time the person longest on the waiting list has waited as of April 2004 by law centre. The board operates a procedure whereby priority is accorded for certain...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Safety is an extremely important factor in the purchase of patrol cars for the Garda fleet. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the commissioner has directed that a working group should be set up under the chairmanship of a chief superintendent with the following terms of reference: ''Examine and make recommendations, taking into account cost factors and value for money, on the...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 5 May 2004 on this matter. The position remains unchanged.