Results 13,801-13,820 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2007 targets as a priority, action to target organised crime, including drug trafficking and the gun culture associated with it. This reflects the Government's policing priorities for 2007. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that in the development of the overall Policing Plan, each Garda District and...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since the publication of the Government's National Drugs Strategy, Garda resources generally in the fight against illicit drugs have increased. This is particularly evident with the creation of additional Divisional Drug Units in areas of particular need. These Drugs Units operate in Divisions throughout the country with a primary focus on...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets Bureau: Criminal Assets Bureau (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that for operational reasons it is not appropriate for proceedings being taken by the Criminal Assets Bureau to be linked to particular criminal groups or activities. However, I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the majority of applications under the Proceeds of Crime legislation made by the Criminal Assets Bureau over the past five...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to extend the use of CCTV and to also to grant aid communities to fund them. In tandem with the Garda based CCTV scheme, I launched the Community-based CCTV Scheme in June 2005, in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together. The Government remains resolutely committed to tackling the problem of drug misuse through our National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. Under the Strategy, it is the Customs Service of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., which has primary responsibility for...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (3 Apr 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 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda Authorities that Pulse, the primary IT system for An Garda Síochána, is operating very satisfactorily. Significant investment has been made to improve the availability and response times of the system and I am advised that as a result, over the course of the past year, there has been no unplanned downtime of the system. The total development cost of the PULSE...

Written Answers — Identification Cards: Identification Cards (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that while I remain to be convinced of the necessity of the introduction of an identity card scheme, any final judgement in this regard must include a full assessment of the implications of a UK ID card scheme. Developments in the rest of the EU, where ID cards are a much more normal part of everyday life and are often used, for example, to access public services,...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (3 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Under the Garda Síochána Act, the Commissioner became responsible for all civilians in An Garda Síochána in 2006. The Commissioner is now responsible for recruitment of all personnel to the force including civilians. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is currently a campaign underway to recruit 300 civilian support staff into An Garda Síochána. This process is well...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (3 Apr 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 15 December 2006. A further 87 Reserve trainees are currently in training, some of whom will be attested next month. Recruitment and selection of trainees for...

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am deeply grateful to the Deputy for not asking all the other questions for which I was prepared. I will answer the question for which I am totally unprepared, which is about what I have done to prevent single party Government. The people of Ireland chose the Government on the last occasion, not me. The people of Ireland will have the opportunity in the coming months to choose another...

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Just like on the last occasion, I am absolutely confident that they will take a long, hard look at those benches and say "No thanks".

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Kenny will not be in a position to put questions to either the Taoiseach or myself after the election not because he will be on this side of the House, but because of other events.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: People sometimes forget the situation that existed when the Deputy and a number of others around him were sitting at the Cabinet, while Deputy Rabbitte was sitting at the high chair of the Cabinet table as a half Minister.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Unemployment was 10.6%——

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——and it drove thousands of people to the unemployment exchanges every week. That rate of unemployment toppled governments across western Europe.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: That is the rate of unemployment and underperformance——

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: If the people of Ireland want a demonstration of how poor a Government consisting of the parties opposite would be, they only have to look at that performance. Arrogance, deceit and incompetence all rolled up in one.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy raised the question of the achievements of the partners in Government. I remind the Deputy of something before I go on to our achievements. This is a special year.