Results 6,881-6,900 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I counsel Members of this House to go down the first route of considering management of the force, with which I have no problem, being done by a board meeting weekly and getting on with its task of collective responsibility. I have a real problem with a body modelled on the HSE running the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána operates as the security service of the State and it could not...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the only point I want to make. If we go down the HSE road, we are finished. If we go down the other road, we are motoring. We must have political consensus on this and we do not need to batter each other to death over various labels. We must achieve the substance on which we are agreed.

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I just wonder how many more sets of costs I will have to pay before Senator Norris is finished.

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I think it was Goebbels.

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Enough said.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thank Senators for the general welcome given to the Bill. It depended on a prior consultation process which, as acknowledged by many Members, was a broad process and an attempt to bring balance and consensus where it did not seem possible. I thank those who participated in that process because, broadly speaking, the terms of the Bill now command a sufficient consensus. I bear in mind...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: A question then arises as to what accountability there is for such a person when huge standards of accountability are demanded of individual elected politicians. Is it relevant, for example, to the Prime Minister's office that the British Prime Minister's son got merry and was brought home by police because the Prime Minister has made speeches on public order issues? Is it relevant that the...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I would be censured and held in the lowest esteem for doing that to a newspaper editor. Is there any responsibility attached to the power of the media and is there any sense of obligation to be truthful? Members of the House have referred to what was published in one of yesterday's newspapers. I spoke about that to the former Tánaiste last night. I said I would take the opportunity of...

Seanad: Garda Reform: Statements (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not intend simply to reprise the findings of the various reports which arise for consideration. Reports from eminent persons that are critical of the Garda Síochána are not to be taken lightly. What I am about to say and, more importantly, what I have done clearly illustrates that they have not been. The programme of reform was a recognition that fundamental issues affecting the...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (13 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thought for a moment that Senator Mansergh was suggesting he had started his doctorate before the French Revolution.

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, I have no function in the regulation of broadcast media but can advise him as to the child protection arrangements in place in respect of a number of other media formats. Insofar as Films and Video/DVD are concerned, the position is that these must be classified by the Irish Film Censor for sale, exhibition or rental. The age appropriateness of each work is then...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on 7th December, 2006.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question has now been approved.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda management in the Limerick Division has examined the log referred to and is satisfied that all incidents reported to the Gardaí have been properly recorded in accordance with regulations. When recording incidents on the crime recording system, PULSE, it is not a mandatory recording requirement to indicate if a petrol-bomb was used as a weapon...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all incidents reported to An Garda Síochána are recorded and investigated. An Garda Síochána cannot comment on incidents which have not been reported. The Garda authorities urge everyone to report all criminal offences and encourage any person with information relating to criminal activity to report same to any member of An Garda Síochána. An...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (12 Dec 2006)

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 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that 119 applications were received for funding under the Enhancing Disability Services (EDS) Project Funding 2007/08. The applications were appraised by Pobal, following which Pobal recommended 10 applications for funding. These recommendations were accepted by an independent expert group and approved for payment by the Accounting Officer of my Department. The total...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána's policing activity involves certain protection duties. The Garda authorities request the assistance of the Defence Forces in the performance of such duties, as and where appropriate.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 1 May, 2002 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 12 September, 2003, that the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The statutory requirements for naturalisation are set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. This provides that applicants for naturalisation, other than spouses of Irish citizens, must have been resident for five years of the nine year period prior to the date of application. Resident in this context means residence for which the applicant had the permission of...