Results 6,921-6,940 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer to my earlier answer to Priority Question number 3 of today's date (Ref. 42179/06).

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 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 — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 30 together. The Options Paper on Domestic Partnership prepared by a Working Group established by me in March 2006 was published on 28 November 2006. The Options paper focuses on three distinct types of non-married cohabiting relationships: opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples, and non-conjugal relationships. The Paper presents various options for...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that of the 167 Garda Stations which have detention facilities and custody arrangements for the questioning of suspects, some 131 are currently equipped for the video recording of interviews with suspects. This represents 78% of the Garda stations with detention facilities. Where a Garda station is not equipped with an audio/video system, a person to...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 29 together. Work on the Scheme of the Judicial Council Bill is at an advanced stage of development in my Department and I expect to be in a position to bring it to Government for approval in early 2007. The Bill will build on the Report of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Ethics chaired by the former Chief Justice Ronan Keane. That Report...

Written Answers — Civilianisation Programme: Civilianisation Programme (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to be able to continue to report significant progress with regard to the implementation of the programme of civilianisation in An Garda Síochána. I have provided this House with updates on Garda civilianisation on a number of occasions this year and propose to take this opportunity to recap and elaborate on some particularly noteworthy developments in this regard. A key...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 74 together. The question of consistency in sentencing and the appropriateness of sentences in particular cases is undoubtedly an issue which raises concerns from time to time. It is common in some courts for a Judge to publicly state the reasons for his/her choice of sentence but I would accept that this practice is not universal. I would certainly...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am currently considering an appeal to the Supreme Court of the High Court judgements delivered on 14 November 2006. As the outcome of such an appeal is inextricably linked to the position of the non EU national parents of Irish citizen children referred to in the Deputy's question, I am unable to comment further until the outcome of any such appeal proceedings have been fully decided and...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of Tuesday, 7 November 2006 (ref: 36276/06). The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Dec 2006)

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

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 85, 86 and 90 together. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that all major criminal groupings and individuals continue to be under active investigation by An Garda Síochána and arising from on-going Garda operations and initiatives, a number of persons have been brought before the Courts to face charges relating to serious criminal activity. I am...

Written Answers — Garda Ombudsman Commission: Garda Ombudsman Commission (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 73 together. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioners were appointed by the President on the 10th February 2006, following nomination by the Government and recommendations by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Commission is in a preparatory stage at present. I understand that the initial work of the Commission has involved study visits to their...

Written Answers — Airport Security: Airport Security (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government is completely opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition, and our concerns in this regard have been made clear at the highest level of the US Government over an extended period of time. In response, the United States has provided categorical, unqualified assurances that Irish airports or territory have not been used for this purpose. I have repeatedly stated that any...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the volume and street value of heroin seized for the first ten months of 2005 and 2006 is as set out in the table. Year Quantity Estimated Street Value kg € 2005 12 2,400,000 2006 115.75 23,150,000 Of course the Government would view with concern any apparent rise in the level of any illegal drugs being trafficked into this country....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 36 together. I recently published two important reports recommending radical reform of the top management structure of An Garda Síochána. The reports are by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and the Garda Síochána Advisory Group chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes. By way of background, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate was established in July 2006....

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have not yet received the report of Mr Michael Mellett in relation to this matter. I understand from Mr Mellett that his inquiries are at an advanced stage, but that certain material of particular relevance to the inquiry is still in the process of being obtained by him. I cannot give the Deputy a definitive indication of when I might expect to receive the Report, but I am hopeful that I...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 152 of 6 December 2006.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Consultation Paper on Legitimate Defence published by the Law Reform Commission on 20 November, 2006 includes a number of provisional recommendations. As the Deputy will be aware a consultation paper provides interested parties with an opportunity to make submissions on the issues and recommendations set out in the paper. The Law Reform Commission will publish a report containing its...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 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 — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the 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 for the years 1998 to 2005 and 2006 up to 5 December. While no level of murder is acceptable, it should be noted that Ireland has one of the lowest murder rates in the...