Results 7,001-7,020 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Non-EEA nationals granted permission to remain in the State fall into one of two categories: visa and non visa required nationals. A non visa required national legally resident in the State on student conditions can seek to change their status to allow them enter employment. There are two main ways by which a non visa required national can take up employment, work permit and work...

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

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. Long...

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The witness security programme was established in 1997 under the direct operational control and administration of the Garda Commissioner. The programme was established in response to attempts by criminal and other groups to prevent the normal functioning of the criminal justice system, including threats of violence and systematic intimidation of witnesses. Although legislation was not...

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Some €1.1 million was spent each year in 2003 and 2004. In 2005 the amount was €540,000. These sums are for large capital sums in providing new identities, housing and arrangements for the families.

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not suggest the Deputy has the wrong end of the stick. Doubtless, he will agree that it is a demand led scheme. I make funds available and if the Garda Commissioner believed four or five times that amount was necessary for the administration of criminal justice, I would find the money. There are no external constraints. The Deputy states we have not seen the fruits of the scheme, such...

Witness Intimidation. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The inspectorate, under Ms Kathleen O'Toole, is another option. A review could assess how the scheme is operating and if it could be improved. I am prepared to enhance the existing statutory arrangements if more protection is needed. Statutory protection is afforded to those in the scheme but if more is necessary, I would not hesitate. The best course of action is to determine whether the...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There have been 20 murders with firearms since the beginning of this year to 6 December. There were 19 murders with firearms recorded for the same period in 2005. While any level of murder, by a firearm or otherwise, is unacceptable, it is incorrect to state there has been an upsurge in firearms murders this year. Sadly, it is roughly the same as it was last year. Operation Anvil is...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I agree that there is a new and growing phenomenon of criminal gangs committing murder for a variety of purposes. There is no complacency on my part. I have been in regular contact with the Commissioner, assuring him all resources possible. I have strengthened the law and made available vast sums for overtime for surveillance operations, etc. I will carry out any action I am asked to...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not implying that but there has not been a dramatic upsurge. The Deputy referred to four shootings in Limerick, Ballybough, Swords and Drogheda. My best information is that there were a variety of motives behind the offences. Two were quasi-domestic, to use a terrible phrase, while two appear to be drug-related. It is frightening that the people engaged in drug killings now seem to...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am making the point that resources are available. I do not want to hog the time available but a problem with detection rates is that there is a culture of omerta, even among victims.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am sorry to inform the House that in one case an individual was shot from behind in a motor car by somebody who was known to the person concerned. The bullet went through the back of the man's head, came out through his mouth under his nose. He survived but despite his ordeal, he would not co-operate in any way with the Garda Síochána in identifying the perpetrator.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not just a matter of the man being terrorised. There is also a code of omerta among the people concerned. They will not supply information to the Garda Síochána. We are proceeding with other issues and intensifying the effort to put proper DNA and forensic analysis facilities in place in the force. It is astonishing to be faced with a case in which a person will not co-operate...

Garda Recruitment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Appointments to Garda recruitment interview boards, including those for reserve members, are a matter for the Garda authorities and the Public Appointments Service. I have no function in appointing persons to such boards. In the particular case neither I nor the Commissioner was personally aware of the appointment. The Commissioner has informed me he would not have approved of the...

Garda Recruitment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will deal comprehensively with the issue of the Garda authority in the coming week. It is time this issue was crystalised and——

Garda Recruitment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: No, I promise a public statement of all the reasons it would be disastrous to establish an independent Garda authority. Members can wait for that——

Garda Recruitment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——and we can have a good debate on it. To answer Deputy Cuffe's question, of course, it was a mistake to put that person on the board. I do not know precisely why that mistake happened. It was a mistake that will not be repeated. I spoke to the Commissioner about it and he shares my view and surprise it happened. It may have been an innocent blunder rather than anything sinister....

Garda Recruitment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not a question of it being somebody else's fault.

Garda Recruitment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Commissioner indicated it will not recur and has given directions to ensure it will not recur. Obviously, it was not brought to his attention. If it had been, he would not have approved. All I can tell the Deputy is the truth, which is somebody who should have thought carefully but did not made an erroneous decision. The decision was not taken at the level of Commissioner. In the...

Bail Laws. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to bring forward a number of amendments to the law on bail in the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill which I hope to publish early next year. As the Deputy is aware, two statutes are relevant to the operation of the arrangements for bail. The Bail Act 1997 deals with the system generally and gives effect to the terms of the Sixteenth Amendment of the Constitution....

Bail Laws. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I agree with the Deputy that the figures are a matter of concern. Without doubt, people of criminal propensity tend to abuse bail when they are given it.