Results 4,621-4,640 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Court awards and out of court settlements in actions taken against members of An Garda Síochána in respect of assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in the following table in this answer. As of 31st December, 2003, there were approximately 750 civil actions taken against members of An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (4 Apr 2007)

Michael McDowell: The new draft regulations have been put into the Garda Conciliation Council for discussion with the Garda Representative Associations and, in recognition of the fundamental changes now proposed, I have made available additional time beyond the original target date of the Summer recess. I am informed that the Garda Representative Associations have engaged positively in those discussions. I...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (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 Systems and Email. The Garda WAN provides network performance levels equivalent to that available via broadband service providers and where the extension of the Garda...

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

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service Drugs Policy & Strategy — Keeping Drugs Out of Prisons — will see existing drug treatment programmes, including the provision of methadone maintenance programmes where this is clinically indicated, being expanded and enhanced. This expansion will involve the allocation of a range of dedicated staff, including addiction counsellors, to support these various...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incidents referred to are under investigation and on completion of this investigation a file will be submitted to the Law Officers. As the Garda investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

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

Michael McDowell: Community Policing is a central feature of current policing policy and members of Community policing units are encouraged to engage with the local communities where they are assigned. Current policing policy is predicated on the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all incidents of crime involving firearms are subject to a rigorous investigation. The identification of all evidence available is a key element of the investigation and prosecution process. I am assured that all resources necessary, including national specialist units, are deployed in the investigation process. When such an investigation is...

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...