Results 10,761-10,780 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Graffiti Offences. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: My experience has been that even in very well policed areas, those who term themselves "graffiti artists", whom I call "graffiti vandals", will carry out their work. Second, I am not inclined to agree with the proposition that there are legitimate and illegitimate graffiti. The fact that some vandals are technically more skilled than others does not excuse what they do. If there is a call...

Graffiti Offences. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that frustration at the lack of amenities leads a person to purchase various cans of spray paint, to spend a night mapping out his or her proposed work of graffiti and to return to complete it on another occasion. I do not think this represents a cry for help regarding the provision of more swimming pools. I do not accept that proposition.

Graffiti Offences. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy is observant, he will know that such works are mapped out one week and completed at a later stage.

Crime Levels. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been 16 murders with firearms from the beginning of the year to 6 November. I am also informed that detections have been made in seven of these cases, with proceedings commenced in four. All killings regardless of the circumstances involved, are the subject of rigorous investigations by the Garda authorities. The identification of the...

Crime Levels. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is thanks to Deputy Jim O'Keeffe.

Crime Levels. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Mandatory minimum sentences were introduced on 1 November. That is why the weapons amnesty expired the previous day. Such sentences are now contemplated under the law and I look forward to their being vigorously imposed by members of the Judiciary to whom it falls to implement the new law. I agree with the Deputy that people, particularly those involved in gangland situations, seem to...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: When I published the report of the Auctioneering/Estate Agency Review Group in October 2005, I announced that the Government had accepted its recommendation for the establishment of the Property Services Regulatory Authority to control and regulate the provision of property services provided by auctioneers, estate agents and property management agents. The Government Legislation Programme...

Written Answers — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that due to a delay in some Garda Stations making their returns to Garda Headquarters, a conclusive figure of weapons surrendered under the recent Amnesty will not be available until later this week. However, to date 627 weapons, and not 368 as referred by the Deputy which were surrendered under the Amnesty, have been returned to Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 137 together. As the Deputies will be aware, last month, the two Gardaí in question were found not guilty on all counts preferred against them, on direction of the trial judge. Both persons had also been subject to disciplinary proceedings pursuant to the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 1989. Regulation 38 of these Regulations provides that...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my reply to a Priority Question from the Deputy on 27 April 2006 I comprehensively set out the position in relation to the process of civilianisation in An Garda Síochána. While I will recap on progress to date, I would like at the outset to state that significant progress is being made on recruitment to a range of new civilian posts, including: 31 posts in the Garda Telecommunications...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 148 together. In my reply to Question 109 of 2 November, 2006, I noted that the circumstances under which a death is reported to the relevant coroner falls within the jurisdiction of that coroner, being a quasi judicial authority charged with the independent investigation of death. A coroner has the entitlement, under section 18 of the 1962 Coroners...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Following an open tender competition I have accepted the highest offer for the site of 6.33 acres at Shanganagh Castle.The proceeds from the sale of this site in addition to approximately 21 acres previously disposed of to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council will meet in full the cost of the site at Thornton Hall. This, contrary to what the Deputy is suggesting, represents excellent value...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 123 together. As the Deputy is aware, Athlone and Mullingar are two of 17 areas set to receive a Garda CCTV system under the Garda CCTV Programme. The Garda authorities are currently finalising a detailed Request for Tender (RFT) for the outsourced service provision of 14 of these Garda CCTV systems in the following towns: Athlone, Carlow, Castlebar,...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that while there has been a slight increase in the quantity of freebase or crack cocaine seized in this jurisdiction over the past two years, this still represents a small proportion of the total number of cocaine seizures recorded annually. However, the Garda authorities also inform me that most of the recorded seizures of freebase cocaine, have to date...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: In order to carry out urgent environmental works, since September 2006, access for workers to a site at Bellanaboy, Co. Mayo, has been required to be facilitated by the Garda Síochána, in the face of protest action by some local campaigners, supported by groups and individuals from outside the area. These groups have at times sought to prevent the workers from travelling to the site in...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Following the establishment of the Commission of Investigation set up to look into the Dean Lyons case, I established an Expert Group to report to me on the adequacy of Garda training, protocols, regulations and procedures, in assessing the fitness of persons to be interviewed and on the recording of any bona fide reservations of an individual member of a Garda investigation team as to the...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 25 October, 2006 members of An Garda Síochána, with the assistance of a wide range of government and non-government agencies, dealt effectively with a major incident involving a serious threat to life and property, which resulted in a group of people being left homeless in the early hours of the morning. I understand that an offer was accepted...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Deputy is referring to an interview given by Mr. Gerry Adams recently in which, according to the transcript available to me, he said '. . . for example lots of concerns raised yesterday about the role of MI5 in the north . . . I have similar concerns about the role of MI6 in the south . . .' In response to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 25 October, 2006, I indicated...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a total costing of the event will not be available until all expenditure claims have been processed and paid. Due to the large number of claims involved, it will be a number of weeks before this information is to hand. I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that following negotiations between the Ryder Cup organisation and An...

Written Answers — Fireworks Offences: Fireworks Offences (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of 45 licences were issued during the month of October, 2006 for the importation of fireworks under the Explosives Act, 1875. The 1875 Act was amended by the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 and, on 1st August, I signed an order bringing all sections of the Act relating to fireworks into immediate effect. These amendments provide for new offences governing the possession of illegal...