Results 10,681-10,700 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda station in Monasterevin was closed due to fire damage on 13th September, 2006. The Office of Public Works have been requested to ascertain the remedial works required to re-open the station. When the proposals are received from the Board and examined by the Garda Authorities, a decision can be taken on how best to proceed, including...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Services: Garda Vetting Services (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006 were made by the Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, T.D., on 29 September, 2006. These Regulations will come into operation on 2 January, 2007. Sections 8(2)(c) and 8(2)(d) of the Regulations provide that (i) a person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure appropriate vetting of all staff, students and volunteers who have...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together. 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 An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of...

Written Answers — Domestic Partnerships: Domestic Partnerships (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no specific budget allocated to the Working Group on Domestic Partnership. Costs arising from the work of the Group are met from the existing vote of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand that the Working Group is finalising the Options Paper on Domestic Partnership for submission to me in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of €331,608.26 (inclusive of VAT) was spent on advertising and promoting the Weapons Amnesty.

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Figures indicate that on 31 October, 2006 there were 52 persons in custody in St. Patrick's Institution who are aged between 16 and 18 years. This figure is made up of eighteen 16 year olds and thirty four 17 year olds.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are plans to provide a new Area Headquarters Station at Carndonagh, Co. Donegal. To this end the Office of Public Works recently advertised in the local and national press for suitable sites. I understand that OPW are currently assessing the responses and their recommendations will be considered by the Garda Authorities and my...

Written Answers — Detention Centres: Detention Centres (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Amendments to the Children Act 2001 included in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 extend the children detention school model to all offenders under the age of 18 and transfer responsibility for the detention of young people to the remit of my Department from that of my colleague the Minister for Education and Science. This role in my Department is managed by a new executive office, the Irish...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of 35 persons expressed an interest in providing accommodation for asylum seekers in response to the advertisement of 10 July 2006. One of these expressions of interest was not received by the closing date of 11 August 2006 and this expression of interest was rejected as being out of time. No other contractual arrangements, apart from those applying to the property in Clondalkin,...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 13, statements on the White Paper on Irish Aid; No. 12, Citizens Information Bill 2006 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 14, statements on Transport 21 (resumed) in accordance with the Order of the Dáil of 2 March 2006. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 13 shall, if not previously...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The package unveiled yesterday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the parties in Northern Ireland is a very significant programme of expenditure over a number of years. We will study it to ascertain what has already been committed and what is new. The Irish Government will makes its intentions known with regard to additional new expenditure and infrastructural development to aid the...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not know whether it will be before that date but the Government will make its intentions clear when it has had an opportunity to study the issues. With regard to the cases of sexual assault, I do not want to comment on pending court proceedings. However, I ask the Deputy to acknowledge at the least that yesterday's charges proved I was correct when I said there was no black hole in the...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The heads of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill will come before Government in the near future for consideration. In that context, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs has indicated that he is seeking legal advice at present to inquire as to whether a change could be made to the Consumer Credit Act to limit interest payments payable under consumer lending. As the Deputy will...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes, that is correct.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not possible at this stage to indicate a date for publication of the register of persons considered unsafe to work with children Bill. The Deputy may be aware that a committee of the House is at present considering child protection issues. One of the issues that has arisen in that context is the question of soft information and whether it is constitutionally possible to have a...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: This is the third week in a row I have indicated that the health Bill will be dealt with in the new year. On the Deputy's other point, when the announcement is made, issues concerning the Border counties will be dealt with in that context. At this stage, I will simply note the commitment of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to the Ulster Canal project,...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Order for Report Stage has been made. It is a matter for agreement among the Whips as to when it will be dealt with.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The electronic communications Bill will be published this session and the Deputy will be in a position to make any criticisms he has of its contents when it comes before the House.