Results 12,621-12,640 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 315 on Tuesday 13 June 2006. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that a reply relating to the subject matter of Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 27 September, 2006 issued to him recently.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Commissioner is proceeding with the recruitment and training of 1,500 members of the Garda Reserve. The first group of 36 Garda Reserves completed their training and were formally attested as members of An Garda Síochána on 15th December 2006. They have been deployed in Dublin (Store Street and Pearse Street), Cork (Anglesea Street), Galway City and Sligo. The second group...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of Tuesday, 14th November, 2006 (ref: 37485/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware the Garda Town Centre CCTV system in Finglas is to consist of nine cameras. It was initially hoped that the monitoring equipment for this system could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station, however a problem arose regarding the provision of suitable space to accommodate the equipment. This is currently being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (21 Feb 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 Levels: Crime Levels (21 Feb 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 — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Public Sector Transfer Network provides that, in the case of transfers to and from certain groups with enhanced superannuation terms, i.e. An Garda Síochána and the Prisons Service, a system of "uniform accrual" must operate. Groups with enhanced superannuation terms are those where service in excess 20 years is doubled, so that 30 years actual pensionable service equates to 40 years...

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is proposed to take No. 18a, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in force for the period ending on 8 March 2008; No. 18b, motion re presentation and circulation of Revised Estimates 2007; No. 24, Health Bill 2006 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 25, European Communities...

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: This is the real Order of Business. The decision to bring the legislation before the House yesterday evening on an emergency basis was not made until the afternoon. I reject the suggestion fraudulence or sleight of hand was involved.

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: This matter was debated extensively in the House and valuable points were made on all sides. The Government listened carefully to the points made. The Minister of State will respond in the debate. Deputies should await his response.

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Bill is important and has taken a long time to get to this point. When it is on Committee Stage and so on, everyone will be able to participate.

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not believe there is promised legislation relevant to that, but I want to say this. Yesterday evening I said in this House in answer to a question from Deputy Jim O'Keeffe that I had no hand, act or part in the arrest of anybody yesterday in regard to these matters. I also indicated to him that I had not caused any complaint to be made to the Garda Síochána or requested any person to...

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have met Mick McCaffrey whom I like a lot and I think he is a very decent fellow. He is a relative of an officer in my Department and I have met him on a number of occasions. I had no idea on that occasion——

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——that this was going to happen to him. I like him very much as an individual. He is a decent, hardworking journalist. I have no malice whatsoever against him. I can assure this House that what I said here yesterday and repeated here today is the total unvarnished truth. I am disappointed that an Opposition Deputy——

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——who asked me about this yesterday, received an assurance from me, would write an article in one of today's newspapers——

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——saying that my fingerprints were all over this arrest. That is not true.

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 was passed by this House in order to avoid huge tribunal expenses. One of the elements that is part of the Bill is that instead of having the right of examination, cross-examination and adversarial procedure, the chairman of a commission is obliged to make available any finding to any person likely to be affected by it...

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Yes, three years ago. It was passed by all of us in this House.

Order of Business (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Part of it was to ensure that people's reputations would not be prematurely compromised——