Results 11,881-11,900 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: A number of Deputies have asked if the current policy is failing and I wish to put some facts before the House in this regard. Operation Anvil has seen 20,000 searches for drugs with €14 million worth of drugs recovered. Some 562 firearms were also recovered, separate to the recent amnesty. This operation is constantly chipping away at the edifices of drug barons and their gangs and has...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Regarding Operation Oak, 24 associates of Mr. Martin Hyland have been arrested and 23 have been granted bail. I have stated on a number of occasions that I regard this as very deeply unsatisfactory and have been criticised for doing so because it has been seen as disparaging of the Judiciary. Article 40 of the Constitution obliges this State to protect and vindicate the rights of the...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not acceptable that 23 out of 24 serious drug criminals are at liberty after being granted bail.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I told the Deputy a thousand times, the law is in place, gardaí testify in the cases and oppose bail, yet they constantly find people who have been charged with serious offences are granted bail. I strongly contend that the practice is wrong and must be addressed. A misleading account was given to the Irish public today about the provisions of section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the law of the land. It cannot be the case, if 80% of people charged under section 15A receive sentences of less than the minimum mandatory sentence, that deviations are being considered on the basis of wholly exceptional circumstances. I am giving further consideration to the matter but this Legislature has passed strong legislation — indeed, I have been criticised for...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Timmins did not ask any questions.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should take a long hard look at the record before discussing temporary release.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Every aspect of the State and all Irish people must now unite against this threat. I accept it is a serious threat.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Any person who possesses information must share it in confidence with members of the Garda Síochána.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point that people are reluctant to give information to the Garda.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: If the force received the full backing of his party, I would accept his point.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are people who know their brothers and sisters are dealing in drugs and that lock-ups in apartment blocks and cars in garages are being used in the trade.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are people who are purchasing drugs. We have to be realistic. Everybody who is in possession of information of this kind has a bounden duty to bring it to the attention of the Garda Síochána. I support the comments made today by the Archbishop of Dublin that the community shares the moral duty to help the Garda in this battle.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am behind the Garda and no Minister has spent more time behind the scenes on this issue. I do not come into this House to inform Deputies about everything I am doing but if it is a matter of leadership, I have been leading effectively and behind the scenes.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Stop shouting me down. Deputy Timmins is the man who came up with the idea of boot camps so I do not think he has much to talk about.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I was asked about the leadership I am showing. I have spent hours and days with the Garda to ensure it has the resources to deal with these issues. I have been assured by the Garda that it has the resources it needs to address the problem.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Gregory is aware that the number of gardaí assigned to drugs squads has risen dramatically and now stands at 328.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is for the Garda Commissioner to decide on other matters. I wish this House would unite behind the Garda rather than appear fractious and intent on scoring petty points.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (14 Dec 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 — Weapons Amnesty: Weapons Amnesty (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of €331,608.26 (inclusive of VAT) was spent on advertising and promoting the recent Weapons Amnesty. I am satisfied that the Amnesty, which resulted in the surrender of 1,002 weapons, has been a success and fully achieved its aims. The purpose of the amnesty was to afford people an opportunity to hand in illegally held weapons at their local Garda Station before the introduction of...