Results 14,121-14,140 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: While the operation of the law on the protection of persons in relationships, whether through the operation of the Domestic Violence Acts or otherwise, continues to be kept under review in my Department, I have no plans at present to amend the relevant legislation. Domestic violence is a crime and, too often in our society, it is a hidden crime. Government policy fully recognises the need to...

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

Michael McDowell: As I informed the house in response to Priority Question No 2 of 22 February last a Garda Chief Superintendent has been appointed to carry out a fact finding investigation into the full circumstances of the failure to react to the Interpol communication and the subsequent Garda statement to the effect that such a document had not been received. In addition, the investigation is looking at...

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

Michael McDowell: State cars are placed at the disposal of Government Ministers, and others, pursuant to a long standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: The President, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, 13 Government Ministers, the Chief Whip, the Ceann Comhairle, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief Justice, former Taoisigh and Presidents. The Ministerial fleet...

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

Michael McDowell: Very significant progress has been made since November 2006 with regard to the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report referred to by the Deputy. I can confirm that an additional Deputy Commissioner was appointed in charge of Strategy and Change Management on the 17th January 2007 and preparations are at an advanced stage to commence the recruitment of a civilian Chief...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The position is that section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides for the making of regulations specifying particulars which are adequate to enable the licensee and the licensed premises concerned to be identified to be affixed to containers in which alcohol is sold for consumption off licensed premises. While the labelling of containers in which alcohol is sold with a view to...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together. I published the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Dean Lyons case on 1 September 2006. I sent a copy of the Report to the Garda Commissioner for his consideration. An Assistant Commissioner has been appointed to assess the impact of the recommendations of the report for An Garda Síochána with a view to recommending...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I assume that the Deputy is seeking the number of appointments to State Boards from each gender rather than the number of nominations and I set out that information in the table below. The information is collated on a half-yearly basis. The latest information available is up to December, 2006. Year Female Male 2002 55 97 2003 16 23 2004 30 44 2005 38 81 2006 14 28

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

Michael McDowell: A Detective Superintendent from outside the relevant Garda Division was appointed immediately after the incident to carry out a detailed investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the person in question's arrest, detention and removal to hospital. The Garda authorities submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions on the matter and furnished a copy to me also. The Director...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Missing Persons Bureau attached to Garda Headquarters is responsible for data relating to missing persons. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where the person has been reported missing takes direct responsibility for all issues connected with the investigation in relation to the missing person. Where any young person under...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that three types of less lethal weapons are currently available for use by the Garda Síochána Emergency Response Unit. These are bean bag shot, OC pepper spray and OC pepper spray shot. I announced yesterday that I have authorised the addition of Conductive Electric Devices to the range of less lethal weapons available to the ERU. These...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The current Inspector of Prisons' term of office is not due to expire until the 24th April, 2007. As the Deputy will be aware Part 5 of the Prisons Act, 2007, which, amongst other things, provides for the statutory appointment of an Inspector of Prisons, has recently been passed by both houses of the Oireachtas. It is my intention to commence this section of the Act from 1 May, 2007 and to...

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

Michael McDowell: I am 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 increase of...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are a total of ten horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit at present. The cost of running the Garda Mounted Unit in 2006 was approximately €1.19 million. The total number of personnel assigned to the Garda Mounted Unit as at the 30th March 2007 was 17, comprising 2 sergeants, 13 Gardaí and 2 civilian personnel.

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Wide Area Network (WAN) is used to deliver access to the Garda Information System (GIS) which includes, inter alia, access to PULSE, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Systems and email. Access to the GIS is currently available in over 320 locations. All Gardaí have access to internal email via the GIS. Access to external...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are 26 dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, 13 of which are general purpose search dogs. The remaining dogs perform specialised search functions related to searches for drugs, firearms and explosives, tactical searches and victim recovery. Although the Garda Dog Unit is primarily based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region it has a...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the average salary of a Garda member, on the mid point of the Garda pay scale and including rent, boot, uniform and unsocial hours allowances, is €55,636. The salary scale in respect of each rank is as set out in the attached tables. The starting salary for a new member on attestation is €25,288. The pay and allowances made in respect of Garda...

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

Michael McDowell: The following funding has been made available by my Department since 2002 for awareness programmes to tackle domestic violence. Year Direct Advertising Grants Number of Projects/ campaigns â'¬ â'¬ 2002 30,000 69,000 8 2003 6,500 100,000 16 2004 89,000 87,000 13 2005 133,000 94,000 31 2006 387,000 289,000 40 2007 18,000 12,000 2 The amount of the awareness funding programme for...

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

Michael McDowell: The reform of the courts system referred to in the Agreed Programme for Government is well underway. In this regard, I am happy to acknowledge the remarkable development of the courts system since the creation of the Courts Service less than ten years ago. Notable achievements include the great progress in improving the overall stock of Courthouses around the country. Many of our county...