Results 4,601-4,620 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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...

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...