Results 6,941-6,960 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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. A key success in the civilianisation process has been the establishment, of the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) in Castlebar, which now has a staffing complement of 162 civilians and is servicing all Garda regions nationally....

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 — Airport Security: Airport Security (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that there is no information available in my Department, the Garda Síochána or the Department of Transport to indicate that aircraft at Shannon Airport en route to Cuba were boarded and/or searched.

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

Michael McDowell: The work of the Expert Group to which the Deputy refers is ongoing and there was never a specific formal time limit placed by me on its important deliberations. However I can say that there is regular and ongoing contact between the Group and officials from my Department. As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question Number 99 of 7 November 2006 the Group is, with my agreement,...

Written Answers — Garda Discipline Regulations: Garda Discipline Regulations (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána Act, in 2005, made detailed provisions for the making of Disciplinary Regulations for the Garda Síochána. In its report earlier this year, the Garda Síochána Act Implementation Group, chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, acknowledged the requirement for changes to the Garda disciplinary regulations to coincide with the coming into operation of the Garda Ombudsman...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ireland has not opted out of the Directive. It is open to Ireland to opt in to the Directive at any time and consideration is being given to this at present. It is also important to separate the issues of how Ireland deals with victims of trafficking from that of the signature of the various instruments in this area. The current Irish Immigration system allows the authorities to deal with...

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

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Dáil Question number 61 on Thursday, 20th October, 2005 and number 180 on Wednesday, 23rd November, 2005. The consideration given to such cases is the same as that given to other leave to remain applications. The decision not to deport a person who is illegally in the State i.e. grant temporary leave to remain, arises under Section 3 of the...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a legislative basis for the operation of CCTV systems in public places for the purposes of crime prevention and crime detection by the Garda Síochána and community based groups. The Act does not apply to persons operating CCTV cameras on their premises for the purposes of protecting persons or property on the premises or environs. As the...

Written Answers — Substance Misuse: Substance Misuse (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the recent Annual Report published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) refers to a decrease in the average price of most drug types across Europe as a whole. This assessment is based on the analysis of data supplied to the centre during the years 1999 to 2004 inclusive. As part of its on-going analysis of the...

Written Answers — Victims of Crime: Victims of Crime (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Violence against Women on any level and in any context is a serious crime. Frequently in a domestic context it gravely affects not just the victim but also impacts very negatively on her children. As a crime, it is essential that the perpetrator is prosecuted and brought to justice. It is also essential that the victim receives all appropriate care and support and, should she require it,...

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

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to a recommendation in a report entitled "Inequality and the Stereotyping of Young People", published by the National Youth Council of Ireland and the Equality Authority. I do not agree that there is an urgent need to extend the provisions of the Equal Status Acts on the age ground to people under eighteen. The reason for excluding under 18s from claiming...

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

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no plans at present to publish the submissions received to my discussion document — "Immigration and Residence in Ireland — Outline Policy Proposals for an Immigration and Residence Bill". Over 120 individuals and organisations made submissions during the initial public consultation process prior to publication of the Scheme of the Immigration,...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. The purpose of the Board is to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for judicial office, including appointments to the Supreme Court. The Board consists of the Chief Justice, the Presidents of the High Court, Circuit Court and District Court,...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 96 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 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities inform me that there have been three 'tiger' robberies in 2006, and two such robberies in 2005, i.e. incidents in which people were taken hostage with a view to assisting robberies. There have also been a small number of unsuccessful attempts to perpetrate such raids. The Garda authorities have also informed me that comparable figures for the preceding four years are...

Written Answers — Immigrant Services: Immigrant Services (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There appears to be some confusion generally as to the responsibility of various departments / bodies in relation to the provision of services for the different categories of persons arriving in the State. I am happy to take this opportunity to clarify the position to the Deputy. I should say at the outset that the provision of services to the homeless falls firmly within the responsibility...

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 — Prisoners' Voting Rights: Prisoners' Voting Rights (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 108 of 7 November 2006. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2006 has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and has been sent to the President for signature. The legislation provides for specific arrangements for prisoners to exercise their franchise by way of postal voting. In accordance with the provisions of the legislation, relevant...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 7 November 2006. The position remains unchanged.