Results 6,121-6,140 of 18,746 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Private Security Services: Private Security Services (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The regulation of the private security industry is the responsibility of the statutorily independent Private Security Authority (PSA). The PSA has extensive statutory powers of enforcement under the Private Security Services Act of 2004. These powers are mainly set out in Sections 37 and 38 of the Act. It is an offence to contravene the provisions of either of these sections. A person who...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 315 on Tuesday 13 June 2006. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that a reply relating to the subject matter of Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 27 September, 2006 issued to him recently.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Commissioner is proceeding with the recruitment and training of 1,500 members of the Garda Reserve. The first group of 36 Garda Reserves 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 (Anglesea Street), Galway City and Sligo. The second group...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of Tuesday, 14th November, 2006 (ref: 37485/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware the Garda Town Centre CCTV system in Finglas is to consist of nine cameras. It was initially hoped that the monitoring equipment for this system could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station, however a problem arose regarding the provision of suitable space to accommodate the equipment. This is currently being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Public Sector Transfer Network provides that, in the case of transfers to and from certain groups with enhanced superannuation terms, i.e. An Garda Síochána and the Prisons Service, a system of "uniform accrual" must operate. Groups with enhanced superannuation terms are those where service in excess 20 years is doubled, so that 30 years actual pensionable service equates to 40 years...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I thank Members for their contribution to this debate, during which some significant issues have been raised. I propose to deal with a few of them. As for the ratio of judges, Ireland is one of only four common law states within the European Union. The definition of a judge in a civil law state such as Spain or Italy differs greatly from the Irish definition. Judges in such countries are...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: On the other hand, had I introduced a Bill this evening to the effect that the maximum number of judges of the High Court would be 100, I would have received a sceptical reception from Opposition Members. They would have asked the purpose of the Bill and whether I intended to fill the posts when I thought it appropriate, without informing them. This cuts both ways. I am unsure whether I...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Whenever I have had the opportunity, I have stated that I believe our independent Judiciary is of enormous importance.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is perfectly open to Opposition Members to express their views on the adequacy or otherwise of sentencing. They do so frequently and Deputy Gregory probably does so as often as a clock strikes. Equally however, it is also open to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, if he or she thinks that sentencing policy in any area is mistaken, to say so in public. I do not accept the...

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: That is a different matter. They are independent under the Constitution. It is up to themselves——

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Lynch's intervention ignores the fact that it is probably the case the Government is criticised from the bench again with the regularity of a clock striking. I personally have been criticised from the bench. I do not get in a huff about it. I just get on with it.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe stated I should avail of my reply to comment on points made during the six o'clock news today. I want him to know I had no hand, act or part in the arrests made today. I did not make any complaint to the authorities on this matter and I did not cause any investigation to take place.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: To briefly reply to Deputy Ó Snodaigh it is my intention to fill all of these vacancies as soon as may be. I understand the judicial appointments advisory board will meet shortly and a panel of suitable people will be available for selection.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Arising from that, my instinct was exactly the same as the Deputy's but the draftspeople in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel told me I was wrong. Being humble as I always am I accepted their advice.

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: As I stated in my opening speech on Second Stage, the plan is not to have the extra District Court judges assigned to a particular district. The reason for this is to allow them to be effectively deployable at the insistence of the President of the District Court for the sake of flexibility. The districts and their number are currently the subject matter of a proposal to redraw them....

Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: With regard to the proposal to include a reference to Part 3 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, I am advised this would be inappropriate. I do not know why. Part 3 of the 2004 Act refers to court funds and a range of miscellaneous matters. Only one of the 23 sections in Part 3 refers to judicial appointments and this is being replaced. Accordingly, I would not accept the amendment.