Results 11,741-11,760 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: The Government is completely opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition, and our concerns in this regard have been made clear at the highest level of the US Government over an extended period of time. In response, the United States has provided categorical, unqualified assurances that Irish airports or territory have not been used for this purpose. I have repeatedly stated that any...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the volume and street value of heroin seized for the first ten months of 2005 and 2006 is as set out in the table. Year Quantity Estimated Street Value kg € 2005 12 2,400,000 2006 115.75 23,150,000 Of course the Government would view with concern any apparent rise in the level of any illegal drugs being trafficked into this country....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 36 together. I recently published two important reports recommending radical reform of the top management structure of An Garda Síochána. The reports are by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Garda Síochána Advisory Group chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes. By way of background, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate was established in July 2006....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have not yet received the report of Mr Michael Mellett in relation to this matter. I understand from Mr Mellett that his inquiries are at an advanced stage, but that certain material of particular relevance to the inquiry is still in the process of being obtained by him. I cannot give the Deputy a definitive indication of when I might expect to receive the Report, but I am hopeful that I...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 152 of 6 December 2006.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Consultation Paper on Legitimate Defence published by the Law Reform Commission on 20 November, 2006 includes a number of provisional recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware a consultation paper provides interested parties with an opportunity to make submissions on the issues and recommendations set out in the paper. The Law Reform Commission will publish a report containing its...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table shows the numbers of murder offences recorded where a firearm was used and the numbers of detections, proceedings commenced and convictions in respect of those murders for the years 1998 to 2005 and 2006 up to 5 December. While no level of murder is acceptable, it should be noted that Ireland has one of the lowest murder rates in the...

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. A key success in the civilianisation process has been the establishment, of the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) in Castlebar, which now has a staffing complement of 162 civilians and is servicing all Garda regions nationally....

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed that there is no information available in my Department, the Garda Síochána or the Department of Transport to indicate that aircraft at Shannon Airport en route to Cuba were boarded and/or searched.

Written Answers — Departmental Inquiries: Departmental Inquiries (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The work of the Expert Group to which the Deputy refers is ongoing and there was never a specific formal time limit placed by me on its important deliberations. However I can say that there is regular and ongoing contact between the Group and officials from my Department. As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question Number 99 of 7 November 2006 the Group is, with my agreement,...

Written Answers — Garda Discipline Regulations: Garda Discipline Regulations (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána Act, in 2005, made detailed provisions for the making of Disciplinary Regulations for the Garda Síochána. In its report earlier this year, the Garda Síochána Act Implementation Group, chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, acknowledged the requirement for changes to the Garda disciplinary regulations to coincide with the coming into operation of the Garda Ombudsman...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ireland has not opted out of the Directive. It is open to Ireland to opt in to the Directive at any time and consideration is being given to this at present. It is also important to separate the issues of how Ireland deals with victims of trafficking from that of the signature of the various instruments in this area. The current Irish Immigration system allows the authorities to deal with...

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

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Dáil Question number 61 on Thursday, 20th October, 2005 and number 180 on Wednesday, 23rd November, 2005. The consideration given to such cases is the same as that given to other leave to remain applications. The decision not to deport a person who is illegally in the State i.e. grant temporary leave to remain, arises under Section 3 of the...

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

Michael McDowell: Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a legislative basis for the operation of CCTV systems in public places for the purposes of crime prevention and crime detection by the Garda Síochána and community based groups. The Act does not apply to persons operating CCTV cameras on their premises for the purposes of protecting persons or property on the premises or environs. As the...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the recent Annual Report published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) refers to a decrease in the average price of most drug types across Europe as a whole. This assessment is based on the analysis of data supplied to the centre during the years 1999 to 2004 inclusive. As part of its on-going analysis of the...

Written Answers — Victims of Crime: Victims of Crime (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Violence against Women on any level and in any context is a serious crime. Frequently in a domestic context it gravely affects not just the victim but also impacts very negatively on her children. As a crime, it is essential that the perpetrator is prosecuted and brought to justice. It is also essential that the victim receives all appropriate care and support and, should she require it,...

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

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to a recommendation in a report entitled "Inequality and the Stereotyping of Young People", published by the National Youth Council of Ireland and the Equality Authority. I do not agree that there is an urgent need to extend the provisions of the Equal Status Acts on the age ground to people under eighteen. The reason for excluding under 18s from claiming...