Results 6,341-6,360 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 282 together. I am assured by the Garda Authorities that PULSE, the primary IT system for An Garda Síochána, is operating very satisfactorily. Significant investment has been made to improve the availability and response times of the system and I am advised that as a result, over the course of the past year, there has been no unplanned downtime of...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have asked the Garda authorities to update the figures I supplied to the Deputy in response to a similar question (10576/06) raised by him last year. I will be in touch with Deputy as soon as these figures become available.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that they have available to them a range of facilities for the delivery of firearms training. The Garda authorities are pursuing a number of solutions to provide enhanced and dedicated firearms training facilities. These include, replacement of the existing firearms range at Garda Headquarters with a...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together. The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table. The figures relate to 2005 as the cost of keeping an offender for 2006 will not be available until later in the year. Prisons and Places of Detention Average cost of keeping prisoner in custody — 2005 Average number of prisoners in custody — 2005 € Arbour Hill...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 to 290, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in accordance with the requirements of the EU Council Directives on procurement, the purchase of fuels for the Garda fleet is organised through an open competitive tendering process. The award criteria for such tenders include location/opening hours of nominated fuel stations and the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 292 together. 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 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The legislation for which I have responsibility in my Department in the present Session is as contained in the Government's Legislative Programme announced by the Chief Whip on 30 January 2007. The ordering of the legislation that is before the House and any other measures I may bring forward is a matter for the Government Chief Whip in consultation with other Whips.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I obtained Government approval today for the priority drafting of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Sampling and Evidence) Bill 2007. The establishment of a DNA database for criminal investigation purposes will be a central element of the Bill. I expect the Bill to be published and enacted later this year. In line with the Government decision it is my...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The United Nations Convention against Corruption was adopted by the UN General Assembly in October 2003 and was signed on behalf of Ireland, when it opened for signature, in December 2003. The Convention entered into force on 14 December 2005. My officials, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, are currently examining the Convention. They have also undertaken consultations...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Ireland already has extensive legislation in place to tackle money laundering and the financing of terrorism activities. I intend to seek the Government's approval shortly to extend the current legislative provisions in this area. I am currently in the process of preparing legislation to transpose Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of Council on the prevention of the use of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: My Department is currently examining the Report on Prosecution Appeals and Pre-trial Hearings which was published by the Law Reform Commission in November 2006. I am also awaiting the Report of the Balance in the Criminal Law Review Group which I established last November and which is due to report in March of this year. The issue of prosecution appeals has a number of aspects to it. First,...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together. I wish to refer the Deputy to my press release of 23 January, 2007 which set out key elements within the €2.82 billion allocated under the National Development Plan (NDP) for Justice and Equality programmes. This unprecedented level of funding will support major infrastructural development in An Garda Síochána as well as the in the...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised that the Missing in Ireland Support Service (MISS) has recently submitted a revised funding grant application to the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime to establish a Missing Persons Helpline. As the closing date for receipt of grant applications has now passed the Commission will shortly be considering all grant applications received for 2007, including this application.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that letters issued to the persons in question on 6th February, 2007, renewing their permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish born child for a further 12 month period.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person in question applied for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for non EU national parents of Irish children born prior to 1 January 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme. It is a requirement of this scheme that each applicant must be resident in the State on a continuous basis since the birth of the Irish born child and that evidence of such...

Written Answers — Visiting Rights: Visiting Rights (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that the frequency and length of visits can vary according to the type of institution. The 1947 Prison Rules provide the legislation for visiting arrangements. Under these rules a sentenced prisoner is entitled to one visit per week of 30 minutes duration and a remand prisoner is entitled to a visit on any weekday of 15 minutes duration. However, additional or...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed that all cars in the Ministerial Fleet are petrol driven models with the exception of the Lexus GS 450H vehicles which are powered by petrol and electric motors. I have requested information from the Garda Authorities on the detailed information in respect of each car since its allocation and I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the sketch scheme for the new Area Headquarters Garda Station in Castleisland has been reviewed and a report on the amendments required to be made to the Sketch Scheme is currently being prepared and will shortly be forwarded to the Office of Public Works. On receipt of the revised Sketch Scheme from Office of Public Works, final sign off...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Government Legislation Programme published on 30 January provides for publication of the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill in 2007. Pending enactment of the legislation, I have established an Implementation Group to assist and advise on practical matters relating to establishment of the new body and to prepare for the new licensing system. A Chief Executive designate has been...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of Thursday, 29 June, 2006 (Ref 25487/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.