Results 11,961-11,980 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to was committed to Castlerea Prison on 6 October, 2006. He was sentenced to a total of 6 months imprisonment for possession of articles with intent and reckless discharge of firearms. On 25 October, his transfer to Loughan House was approved and this transfer was effected the following day. Allowing for remission, he was due to complete his sentence on 10 January, 2007....

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

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

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: As I stated in reply to Question no. 104 of the 9th November 2006, my colleague, the Minister for Transport, has raised this suggestion with me. The Secretary General of my Department subsequently brought the proposal to the attention of the Courts Service, which has now forwarded its views. Traffic courts are held on a regular basis in Dublin. In the judgment of the Courts Service,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the enactment of the Road Traffic Act 2006, the procurement procedure for the provision and operation of safety cameras by a service provider is underway. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is intended that the service provider will be required to collect and process all data on speeding obtained by the mobile and fixed safety cameras used. The service provider will...

Written Answers — Fireworks Offences: Fireworks Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Section 80 of the Explosives Act, 1875 (as amended by section 68 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006) provides for the seizure and detention of vehicles and vessels without warrant when a member of An Garda Síochána with reasonable cause suspects that a person possesses a firework. This section also authorises a search under warrant to seize anything that a member reasonably believes to be...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 48 proceedings commenced in 2005 and 73 proceedings commenced in 2006 for this offence under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 and 1992. The figure provided for 2006 is provisional, operational and liable to change.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 480 together. The policing function of the Garda Síochána necessarily involves protection duties, including in relation to the Office of the President. It is not the practice, and it would be contrary to the public interest, to comment upon the details of such protection duties. Having regard to their competencies in this area, decisions in relation...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 392 and 411 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the total personnel resources available to the Garda National Drugs Unit as at 31 December 1996, 2005 and 2006 was as set out in the table below. In addition, It should also be noted that the total personnel...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 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 as at 31 December, 2006 was 12,954. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (31 Jan 2007)

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 — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Government Legislation Programme published earlier today provides for publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill this year. This Bill will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2004, and replace them with provisions more suited to modern conditions.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation are generally dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be fairest to all applicants. The average processing time for such applications is approximately 24 months and this is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years. The table below shows the total number of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I informed the Deputy in response to Question No 171 of 9th February 2006 and Question No 599 of 6th July 2006 that the application of the person referred to would be processed in late 2007 or early 2008, and that no reason has been put forward which would justify the application being dealt with ahead of other applicants. That is still the position.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is policed from Clontarf Garda station. I am further informed that after conducting an examination of crime in the area senior local Garda management directed additional mobile and foot patrols to combat in particular burglary. This has resulted in a reduction in this type of criminality. Current policing plans in the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (31 Jan 2007)

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

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

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

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Chief Superintendent from outside the Garda Division concerned was appointed to investigate the matter referred to by the Deputy. I am further informed that the investigation is at an advanced stage.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there was one additional incident, of sexual assault, between 14 and 31 December, 2006. Local Garda management is aware of the increase in such offences being reported and have directed that additional high-visibility beat and mobile patrols by uniform and plain-clothes Gardaí be carried out. Relevant information regarding known offenders for...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that a positive decision has been reached in relation to the application in question. The refugee has recently been informed of the decision.