Results 7,041-7,060 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not willing to accept that, having entrusted the preparation of crime statistics to the CSO, I should now say that a commercial survey is more accurate.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have indicated that, as far as I could see, the report to which Deputy Howlin drew my attention, was based on a sample prepared by a loss adjuster's firm.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is my understanding, but maybe not the Deputy's understanding, that one cannot recover on an insurance claim unless one reports it to the Garda Síochána. I cannot understand how there could be such a wide disparity. I do not believe people would report matters to their loss adjusters and attempt to make a claim without reporting the theft to the Garda Síochána.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I stated when welcoming the publication of the Barr report in July, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, I chose to forward a copy of the report to the chief inspector of the Garda inspectorate in order that Garda procedures and practices for dealing with incidents of the type which unfolded at Abbeylara might be reviewed. I understand from the Garda...

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Bean bag shot is effectively a bag containing something like lead shot which when flung out results in a muffled impact. I know what pepper spray is but must confess that I have no idea what ferret pepper spray is and will not make a pretence of knowing or try to wing it today.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will arrange for an explanation of the difference between pepper spray and ferret pepper spray to be forwarded to the Deputy.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The equipment has been furnished to the ERU which has been fully trained in its use, whatever it is. We are considering the use of the Taser gun which fires a projectile consisting of an electrode stunning the victim electrically. It has been used in the United Kingdom and other places. It is an effective weapon but can cause problems. The Deputy expresses some degree of impatience with...

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Arrangements are in place to ensure a psychological expert is available to the Garda in a siege situation. The Garda took advantage of this option during the recent incident in Gort. Senior management of the force and the Central Mental Hospital are about to conclude a memorandum of understanding which will put these arrangements into a more concrete form for future use. The Garda...

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: A new range is being built in Phoenix Park which will be in the basement of the new forensic science building. Meanwhile other range arrangements are being put in place around the country.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: When that building is completed.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I will not throw good money after bad, trying to repair the dangerous range.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I hope the contract for it will be placed soon.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I hope in the next 18 months.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I was not asked that question and I am not in a position to answer it. I presume that non-lethal weaponry will not be handed out to every Garda station.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is another issue but there would have to be training in its use which will be complex and require many Garda hours. If one decides to issue pepper spray to the Garda on a generalised basis, gardaí will have to travel to the regions for training sessions.

Garda Equipment. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That would absorb significant Garda resources. These things cannot be done overnight or at the click of a finger.

Court Procedures. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Section 16 of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992, as amended, makes provision for the video recording of any evidence given, in regard to a sexual offence or an act involving violence, by a person under 18 years of age through a live television link in proceedings relating to indictable offences. The relevant subsection, (1)(a), was commenced in 1993. It will be noted that this subsection...

Court Procedures. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——possibility of being cross-examined. The existing legislation does not exclude cross-examination and it makes it a condition of the use of this material that the child is available for cross-examination. There is a public misconception that somehow children would be spared the duty of being cross-examined if the defence elected, if we would only introduce a video system. A committee...

Court Procedures. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: A number of meetings have been presided over at the highest level by officials with responsibility for this matter. They have asked me to indicate to the House that they are determined to ensure there is rapid progress on this matter. I must confess that previously there was a lack of progress which was not defensible.

Court Procedures. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware that some people have advanced the view that the video recording should be analogue rather than digital because it is easier to see tampering in one format rather than the other.