Results 11,721-11,740 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Central Statistics Office's recent publication for the first time of the provisional headline crime statistics for the third quarter of 2006 is welcome in providing further expertise and independence in the compilation of such statistics and in acting as an important aid in informing policy formulation and public opinion. While being mindful of the need for caution in the interpretation...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The questions asked by Members usefully draw together all the elements in this area. The figures for seizure last year, to which Deputy Howlin referred, were much smaller than those for this year.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes. Operation Anvil has had significant successes and a great deal of intelligence gathering and surveillance has taken place. One can take two views of the figures. One might adopt the view that there has been a vast increase in the amount of drugs being imported in the last year while the Garda continues to seize the same proportion of them. It is a pessimistic view. The other view...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I imagine the truth lies somewhere along the spectrum between those two views. I am not in a position to say whether there was a vast increase in heroin imports to Ireland, which the Garda is seizing in the same proportion, or whether the force's successes on foot of Operation Anvil have led to more significant seizures as a proportion of the total amount of drugs being imported.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the point. Issues like price on the street are relevant in that context, but they require a great deal of analysis. While I am not in a position currently to tender such analysis to the House, I make the point that there have been spectacular Garda successes in interdicting heroin, cocaine and firearms in recent times. Those successes reflect the fact that gang activity is growing...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: If drugs are cheaper on the streets, it suggests more are being imported. If more are coming in, the Garda may be having a greater level of success in the context of an increased rate of importation. However, it is not possible for me to give an exact judgment on the matter. As I said recently to a Labour Party Deputy, I intend to convene a meeting of the Customs and Excise and Garda to...

Written Answers — Airport Security: Airport Security (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 51 together. Aviation security arrangements at Irish airports are kept under continuous review by both the Department of Transport and the National Civil Aviation Security Committee. That Committee is chaired by the Department of Transport, and both my Department and the Garda Síochána are represented on it, together with a range of other key...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Published crime figures provide information on the number of homicide offences committed each year. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been 20 murders with firearms since the beginning of this year to 6 December. There were 19 murders with firearms recorded for the same period in 2005. All killings, regardless of the circumstances involved, are the subject of a rigorous...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer to my earlier answer to Priority Question number 3 of today's date (Ref. 42179/06).

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

Michael McDowell: 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 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 30 together. The Options Paper on Domestic Partnership prepared by a Working Group established by me in March 2006 was published on 28 November 2006. The Options paper focuses on three distinct types of non-married cohabiting relationships: opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples, and non-conjugal relationships. The Paper presents various options for...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that of the 167 Garda Stations which have detention facilities and custody arrangements for the questioning of suspects, some 131 are currently equipped for the video recording of interviews with suspects. This represents 78% of the Garda stations with detention facilities. Where a Garda station is not equipped with an audio/video system, a person to...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 29 together. Work on the Scheme of the Judicial Council Bill is at an advanced stage of development in my Department and I expect to be in a position to bring it to Government for approval in early 2007. The Bill will build on the Report of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Ethics chaired by the former Chief Justice Ronan Keane. That Report...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to be able to continue to report significant progress with regard to the implementation of the programme of civilianisation in An Garda Síochána. I have provided this House with updates on Garda civilianisation on a number of occasions this year and propose to take this opportunity to recap and elaborate on some particularly noteworthy developments in this regard. A key...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 74 together. The question of consistency in sentencing and the appropriateness of sentences in particular cases is undoubtedly an issue which raises concerns from time to time. It is common in some courts for a Judge to publicly state the reasons for his/her choice of sentence but I would accept that this practice is not universal. I would certainly...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am currently considering an appeal to the Supreme Court of the High Court judgements delivered on 14 November 2006. As the outcome of such an appeal is inextricably linked to the position of the non EU national parents of Irish citizen children referred to in the Deputy's question, I am unable to comment further until the outcome of any such appeal proceedings have been fully decided and...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of Tuesday, 7 November 2006 (ref: 36276/06). The position remains unchanged.

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 194 to 196 of 5 December, 2006.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 85, 86 and 90 together. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that all major criminal groupings and individuals continue to be under active investigation by An Garda Síochána and arising from on-going Garda operations and initiatives, a number of persons have been brought before the Courts to face charges relating to serious criminal activity. I am...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission: Garda Ombudsman Commission (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 73 together. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioners were appointed by the President on the 10th February 2006, following nomination by the Government and recommendations by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Commission is in a preparatory stage at present. I understand that the initial work of the Commission has involved study visits to their...