Results 4,601-4,620 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: The retention of and access to telecommunications traffic and location data are governed by the provisions of Part 7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the details of data access requests, including their number or the types of offences to which they relate. I do not accept — and, in...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 119 together. The Garda Commissioner is proceeding with the recruitment and training of 1,500 members of the Garda Reserve. The first group of 36 Garda Reserve members 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...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been advised by the Garda Authorities that to date, a total of 15 complaints have been received at Kells Garda Station in relation to the operation of a People in Profit System (PIPS). The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation is assisting in the investigation of these complaints. Gardai have made enquiries with the Malaysian Authorities and are awaiting a response. An Garda Síochána...

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

Michael McDowell: The Government is fully aware of and views with concern the increased prevalence of cocaine usage in recent times in Ireland as is identified in the recent joint report by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the National Drugs Strategy Team. Efforts to tackle the problem are broadly based under the Government's National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 and include measures aimed at both...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 70 together. I cannot comment on individual cases. However, the following are my general remarks on sentencing. The question of consistency in sentencing and the appropriateness of sentences in particular cases is undoubtedly an issue which raises concerns from time to time. The Courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in...

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

Michael McDowell: My Department is in the process of completing its examination of the final report of the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency (NDVIA) on its pilot project. Following delivery of the report, my Department, in consultation with the NDVIA, made available further funding for the project on an interim basis. However, the Deputy will appreciate that no decision can be made on funding for...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Scheme for the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill which I published in September 2006 contains provisions regulating marriage of foreign nationals in the State. It is incorrect to represent this as a "marriage bar": it is a regulatory process.

Written Answers — Immigration Controls: Immigration Controls (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: I assume the Deputy is referring to arrivals since 1 January 2007 when Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union. In terms of immigration procedures and controls, all European Union citizens coming to Ireland, including Bulgarian and Romanian nationals, are covered by the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) (No.2) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 656 of 2006). Those Regulations...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda investigation into this matter is currently ongoing on conclusion of which, an investigation file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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

Michael McDowell: As in all countries, integration policy is constantly being developed and updated in line with changing demographics and the emerging challenges of multicultural societies. Building on the integration frameworks set out in the National Action Plan against Racism, integration policy is now being further developed to ensure that these challenges are fully met. The Irish Naturalisation and...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The former Judge Brian Curtin resigned as a Judge of the Circuit Court on 13 November 2006. Subsequent to his resignation, an application was made on his behalf for payment of pension on grounds of permanent infirmity. In accordance with standard public service procedures, the application was referred to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for consideration. The CMO has advised that the judge was...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of cars in the Garda fleet at present is 1,631. It is the responsibility of the Garda Fleet Management Section to develop policies which will ensure that vehicles are maintained in a proper roadworthy condition. The policy for maintenance of the fleet is, where feasible, to use main dealers for a particular make. This will ensure, as...

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...