Results 14,081-14,100 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Community policing is a central feature of the policing policy of An Garda Síochána. Community Policing Units are established throughout the country, and members are encouraged to engage with the local communities where they are working. Current policing policy is predicated on the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: One of the key objectives of my Department is to promote a fair, tolerant and caring society. This includes the development of a broad framework of policies and measures to create and promote an inclusive society and to combat discrimination including racism. In point of fact, Ireland is already to the fore in its promotion and protection of the principles of equality and freedom from...

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

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that I have recently received the report of Mr Mellett into the death of Mr Douch and am in the process of studying its findings. In that context, I have been in consultation with the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions and am also considering their views on the matter.

Written Answers — Gender Pay Differentials: Gender Pay Differentials (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is generally acknowledged that the reasons behind the gender pay gap are varied and complex. Consequently the Government has adopted a multifaceted approach across a number of areas in order to address the closure of the pay gap. The Consultative Group on Male / Female Wage Differentials, set up under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, was chaired by my Department and reported to...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question No. 12 of today's date.

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

Michael McDowell: The recommendation, which was made in a Report of the Committee published last month, along with the other recommendations made by the Committee which affect my Department, are being examined in my Department.

Written Answers — Telecommunications Interception: Telecommunications Interception (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 126 together. The interception of telecommunications is governed by the provisions of the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of any authorisations to intercept, including their number. I am sure that, on...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service Psychology Service is currently at its highest ever level of staffing, with 16 posts filled. This represents nearly a 100% increase in the number of psychologists working in the IPS since 2002. A significant factor in this increase has been the broadening of the recruitment base of the service, to allow for the recruitment of counselling and forensic psychologists,...

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...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware the allocation and deployment of members of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In that context, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as at 30 March 2007 was 13,173. I also understand that the Commissioner is making arrangements for the recruitment of an additional 28 Juvenile Liaison...

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

Michael McDowell: The substantial dossier handed over by legal representatives of the person central to the case referred to by the Deputy contains details of allegations of a substantial number of serious offences perpetrated against that person and other persons over a prolonged period. The dossier has been carefully considered by officials in my Department. As part of that consideration it was forwarded to...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (4 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 Deployment: Garda Deployment (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that senior management from both An Garda Síochána and my Department report directly on an ongoing basis to my colleague Minister of State, Mr. Noel Ahern T.D. at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in relation to the implementation of the recommendations contained in the recent joint report of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment have previously set out the Government's position in this matter in reply to previous Parliamentary Questions. The Government believes that it is not appropriate at this time for Ireland to become party to this UN Convention. The Convention is a broad instrument covering many different fields and would require a...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: Taking into account the considerations of the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women and the Inter-Departmental Committee on the National Women's Strategy, arrangements are being made in my Department for the establishment of an Office to provide a co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to violence against women. The details regarding these arrangements will be announced...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that Garda policing arrangements at Shannon Airport in 2006 cost approximately €3.85 million, a figure which includes normal salaries. The Garda Síochána is statutorily required to provide policing services for the State with the aim of preserving public order and protecting life and property. In this regard, Garda resources are allocated by the...

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

Michael McDowell: I welcome the Garda Síochána Inspectorate Review of Garda Síochána Practices and Procedures for Barricade Incidents. The review makes a significant contribution towards the enhancement of the capacity of the Garda Síochána to manage barricade incidents. In particular, it affords an opportunity to learn from the experience of the shooting at Abbeylara so that such deaths can, to the...

Written Answers — Violence Against Women: Violence Against Women (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: My Department commissioned consultants to draw up a new strategic action plan to guide the work of the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women (NSC). The consultants commissioned to draw up the plan were Centre for Corporate Community. The NSC also set up it's own Advisory Body, comprising NSC members, to provide them with guidance on the Strategic Plan. The draft strategic...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The total number of prisoners in custody on 2 April, 2007 was 3,283 compared with a bed capacity of 3,416. This represents an occupancy level of 96%. The prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs. Numbers are particularly high when the courts are at their busiest, giving rise to a high number of committals. This is not unusual at this time of year. As a result, almost all of...

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

Michael McDowell: The new Digital Radio Service for An Garda Síochána is currently being implemented. This is a nationwide system that will be used by An Garda Síochána and by the other emergency services. It will enable instant and secure communications not only between Garda members but also with the emergency services, and where necessary with the PSNI. It will also provide Gardaí with a key safety...