Results 6,561-6,580 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware of the changes in recent years aimed at bringing about improvements in the youth justice system and I am pleased to say that I have secured additional resources, as published in the recent estimates, to support changes being made in this area, including the establishment of the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS). Funding for Young Person's Probation, which was...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that all staff in my Department and my Department's agencies currently earn more than one euro per hour above the national minimum wage. I can further inform the Deputy that the Request for Tender documents template used by my Department in respect of service contracts includes a notice which states that "It shall be a condition of this contract that the successful...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Clonmel is one of the 17 areas which form part of the current Garda CCTV Programme, as follows (listed alphabetically): Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda, Dungarvan, Ennis, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Sligo, Tallaght, Tullamore and Waterford. The Garda authorities are currently finalising the tender...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 14 and 30 of 7 December 2006. The position is as set out therein.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that up to 18 January, 2007 a total of 15 complaints were received at Kells Garda Station, Co. Meath, relating to the operation of a "People in Profit System" (PIPS). The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation is assisting in the investigation of these complaints. I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that they are awaiting a response to enquiries...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application on behalf of his wife and children in February 2005. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act, 1996. The Commissioner submitted a report on the investigation to my...

Written Answers — Homicide Offences: Homicide Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the numbers of murder offences recorded where a firearm was used and the numbers of detections, proceedings commenced and convictions in respect of those murders between 1 June, 2002 and 1 December 2006. It is anticipated that the number of convictions obtained will increase as the number of proceedings commenced are...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 to 242, inclusive, together. Advertisements inviting applications for renewal of permission to remain granted under the IBC/05 scheme were placed in National Newspapers this morning 31 January, 2007. Applications must be made on the official IBC renewal form which sets out the requirements for renewal and which is available on my Department's website...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total personnel strength (all ranks) of the Tallaght Drug Unit as of 31 December for the years 2002- 2006, inclusive, was as per the following table: No. of personnel — Garda Drug Unit Tallaght 2002-2006 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 8 8 8 8 8 In addition to the work undertaken by that unit and the National Support Units, a significant part of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: On foot of my proposal, the Government decided last year that a commission of investigation should be established into the making of a confession by the late Dean Lyons about the tragic deaths of Ms. Mary Callinan and Ms Sylvia Shiels in March 1997 in Grangegorman Dublin 7. A draft of the Order establishing the Commission and a statement of reasons for its establishment were approved by each...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to was committed to Castlerea Prison on 6 October, 2006. He was sentenced to a total of 6 months imprisonment for possession of articles with intent and reckless discharge of firearms. On 25 October, his transfer to Loughan House was approved and this transfer was effected the following day. Allowing for remission, he was due to complete his sentence on 10 January, 2007....

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 194 to 196 of 5 December, 2006.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: As I stated in reply to Question no. 104 of the 9th November 2006, my colleague, the Minister for Transport, has raised this suggestion with me. The Secretary General of my Department subsequently brought the proposal to the attention of the Courts Service, which has now forwarded its views. Traffic courts are held on a regular basis in Dublin. In the judgment of the Courts Service,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the enactment of the Road Traffic Act 2006, the procurement procedure for the provision and operation of safety cameras by a service provider is underway. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is intended that the service provider will be required to collect and process all data on speeding obtained by the mobile and fixed safety cameras used. The service provider will...

Written Answers — Fireworks Offences: Fireworks Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Section 80 of the Explosives Act, 1875 (as amended by section 68 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006) provides for the seizure and detention of vehicles and vessels without warrant when a member of An Garda Síochána with reasonable cause suspects that a person possesses a firework. This section also authorises a search under warrant to seize anything that a member reasonably believes to be...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 48 proceedings commenced in 2005 and 73 proceedings commenced in 2006 for this offence under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986 and 1992. The figure provided for 2006 is provisional, operational and liable to change.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 480 together. The policing function of the Garda Síochána necessarily involves protection duties, including in relation to the Office of the President. It is not the practice, and it would be contrary to the public interest, to comment upon the details of such protection duties. Having regard to their competencies in this area, decisions in relation...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 392 and 411 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the total personnel resources available to the Garda National Drugs Unit as at 31 December 1996, 2005 and 2006 was as set out in the table below. In addition, It should also be noted that the total personnel...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 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 as at 31 December, 2006 was 12,954. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.