Results 6,781-6,800 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are aware of the outcome of the court case. I am further informed that local Garda management is familiar with the anti-social behaviour problems in Leixlip village at weekends. In addition to regular patrols, a Garda van is deployed every Saturday night specifically tasked with tackling the problems outlined by the Deputy. This enforcement...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being researched. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of Wednesday, 27 September, 2006 and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of Thursday, 9 February, 2006 and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently forty three (43) Garda Stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region that have telecommunications masts erected. A full list is set-out in the following table. These masts were originally installed during the mid 1980s as part of a national upgrade of Garda radio communications. Store Street Fitzgibbon Street Mountjoy Bridewell...

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

Michael McDowell: The figures for headline offences recorded for each Garda Division for the year 2002 are available in the relevant Garda Annual Report, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library. 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...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. There are currently 222 asylum seekers accommodated in the centre referred to in the details supplied. Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) and all contractors providing accommodation for asylum seekers, it is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that the premises comply and...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 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 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

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

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible to collate the information sought by the Deputy in the time available. I will, however, arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy shortly.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I told the Deputy a thousand times, the law is in place, gardaí testify in the cases and oppose bail, yet they constantly find people who have been charged with serious offences are granted bail. I strongly contend that the practice is wrong and must be addressed. A misleading account was given to the Irish public today about the provisions of section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the law of the land. It cannot be the case, if 80% of people charged under section 15A receive sentences of less than the minimum mandatory sentence, that deviations are being considered on the basis of wholly exceptional circumstances. I am giving further consideration to the matter but this Legislature has passed strong legislation — indeed, I have been criticised for...

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Timmins did not ask any questions.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should take a long hard look at the record before discussing temporary release.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Every aspect of the State and all Irish people must now unite against this threat. I accept it is a serious threat.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Any person who possesses information must share it in confidence with members of the Garda Síochána.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept Deputy Ó Snodaigh's point that people are reluctant to give information to the Garda.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: If the force received the full backing of his party, I would accept his point.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are people who know their brothers and sisters are dealing in drugs and that lock-ups in apartment blocks and cars in garages are being used in the trade.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are people who are purchasing drugs. We have to be realistic. Everybody who is in possession of information of this kind has a bounden duty to bring it to the attention of the Garda Síochána. I support the comments made today by the Archbishop of Dublin that the community shares the moral duty to help the Garda in this battle.

Gangland Crime. (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am behind the Garda and no Minister has spent more time behind the scenes on this issue. I do not come into this House to inform Deputies about everything I am doing but if it is a matter of leadership, I have been leading effectively and behind the scenes.