Results 14,061-14,080 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I take that point. That is a matter I want to consider again with my Government colleagues. I am interested in the points raised on that issue because if it had that effect it would be counterproductive and would send out the wrong signal.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Exactly. I want to look at that issue very carefully. I have been contemplating for a few weeks whether the point Deputy Howlin raised on Second Stage is correct and I want to look at it. In regard to the judge's discretion, the Bill clearly provides that where it would be unjust to do so for specific and exceptional reasons it need not be done. As far as I am concerned, that is...

Written Answers — Judicial Process: Judicial Process (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am firmly committed to ensuring that judicial resources are adequate to the demands placed on them. Since 2002, the number of judges sitting in the High, Circuit and District Courts has increased from 108 to 125, an increase of 17 judicial posts. In addition, the Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Act 2007 provides for a further 14 judges — 6 Judges of the District Court, 4 ordinary...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am delighted that Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when it opened for signature in New York on last Friday, 30th March. This UN Convention is a significant human rights convention and represents an important advance for people with disabilities. In conjunction with its recent approval of my proposal for...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The total number of applications received for Asylum from 1992 to 28 February 2007 is 73,245. In regard to Leave to Remain, I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to applications for Leave to Remain in the State made pursuant to Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 as amended. An application for Leave to Remain in the State in these circumstances arises where a non-national is...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 25. Section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was enacted for the purpose of specifically prohibiting a person who is or was a member of the Garda Síochána or of its civilian staff, from disclosing information obtained in the course of his or her duties. The section provides stiff penalties, fines up to €75,000 and/or up to 7 years imprisonment...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: In May of last year I launched the new Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy & Strategy — Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons. This new policy clearly set out the steps required to tackle the supply of drugs into prisons, provide adequate treatment services to those who are addicted to drugs and ensure that developments in the prisons were linked into the community. Since then significant progress...

Written Answers — Legal Representation: Legal Representation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Deputy is referring to an article in the inaugural edition of the Courts Service Report 'Family Law Matters' published in February 2007. The article, based on an interview with the manager of the Dublin Circuit Family Law Office, speculated that there has been a huge rise in lay litigants in family law cases over the past few years due perhaps to the costs of legal...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: On 19 December, 2006, as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is reached. The Garda Commissioner is proceeding with the recruitment...

Written Answers — Garda Information System: Garda Information System (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Information System (GIS) which includes, inter alia, access to PULSE, the Garda National Immigration Bureau Systems and Email is also used to deliver internet access to members where operational needs require. Training in information technology is provided both in the Garda College and in the Continuous Professional Development Centres...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 54 and 83 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to by the Deputies is under investigation under the direction of a Superintendent and when it is completed an investigation file will be submitted to the Law Officers. As the investigation is still ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on it at...

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The National Disability Strategy was launched by the Government in September 2004 and underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society by building on existing policy and legislation. The implementation of the Strategy is the agreed focus of disability policy under the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. My Department is responsible for the provision of the framework...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets: Criminal Assets (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that the Criminal Assets Bureau has sufficient financial and other resources available to it to operate effectively pursuant to its statutory remit. The Bureau also continues to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions in order to fully achieve its objectives pursuant to its statutory remit. The Bureau keeps the allocation of...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 52, 129 and 134 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Question No. 60 of today's date. 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...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 31 on 22 February 2007. I have nothing further to add to that reply.

Written Answers — Port Status: Port Status (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my previous answer to Questions Nos. 193 and 194 of 6th March, 2007. The position as set out in that answer has not changed. Section 6 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides, inter alia, that a non-national (other than a seaman) coming by sea or air from outside the State shall not, without the consent of the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, land elsewhere...

Written Answers — Drugs Trade: Drugs Trade (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: As is reflected in the Deputy's question, recent international data from the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) suggests that the level of heroin production, particularly in Afghanistan, has significantly increased in recent times. The UNODC also highlight that there is a significant surplus of heroin supply exceeding worldwide demand for the drug. That Office continues to...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: At present, due to the nature of the steps to the front of the building at 94 Stephen's Green, which are consistent with the building's age and character, access by persons with a physical disability is facilitated via the car park entrance at the side of the building. A planning application has been lodged with the Local Authority to erect/install a wheel chair ramp at the front of the building.

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission: Garda Ombudsman Commission (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has undertaken an extensive programme of work in order to commence operations and significant progress has been made in this regard. A new building has been sourced in Dublin City Centre and is currently being fitted out. The recruitment and training of staff is far advanced and 58 of the 81 staff approved for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: A 120 acre site at Corrstown was one of a number of sites selected for a detailed examination and rejected by the Mountjoy Complex Replacement Site Committee which consisted of officials of the IPS, the Dept of Justice Equality and Law Reform, one of the Commissioners for Public Works and an outside valuer. The examination by consulting engineers led to its being rejected as being unsuitable...