Results 7,061-7,080 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Court Procedures. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not clear whether that issue arises but I do not wish to mislead the House in any way.

Court Procedures. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of these recommendations because, as the Deputy may recollect, I am a member of the committee to which he referred. I have brought the report to my Department where it is being circulated and evaluated. I pay tribute to the Members of both Houses who participated in the proceedings of that committee. It is unfortunate that two or three controversial issues were cherry-picked out...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Central Statistics Office's recent publication for the first time of the provisional headline crime statistics for the third quarter of 2006 is welcome in providing further expertise and independence in the compilation of such statistics and in acting as an important aid in informing policy formulation and public opinion. While being mindful of the need for caution in the interpretation...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The questions asked by Members usefully draw together all the elements in this area. The figures for seizure last year, to which Deputy Howlin referred, were much smaller than those for this year.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes. Operation Anvil has had significant successes and a great deal of intelligence gathering and surveillance has taken place. One can take two views of the figures. One might adopt the view that there has been a vast increase in the amount of drugs being imported in the last year while the Garda continues to seize the same proportion of them. It is a pessimistic view. The other view...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I imagine the truth lies somewhere along the spectrum between those two views. I am not in a position to say whether there was a vast increase in heroin imports to Ireland, which the Garda is seizing in the same proportion, or whether the force's successes on foot of Operation Anvil have led to more significant seizures as a proportion of the total amount of drugs being imported.

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the point. Issues like price on the street are relevant in that context, but they require a great deal of analysis. While I am not in a position currently to tender such analysis to the House, I make the point that there have been spectacular Garda successes in interdicting heroin, cocaine and firearms in recent times. Those successes reflect the fact that gang activity is growing...

Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: If drugs are cheaper on the streets, it suggests more are being imported. If more are coming in, the Garda may be having a greater level of success in the context of an increased rate of importation. However, it is not possible for me to give an exact judgment on the matter. As I said recently to a Labour Party Deputy, I intend to convene a meeting of the Customs and Excise and Garda to...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to share time with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey.

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (Resumed) (7 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: An interesting piece of archival material, Ray MacSharry's budget speech of early 1987, was played on the radio yesterday morning. I recall the occasion vividly as it was the first year I was elected to this House. In what was effectively my first contribution, it fell to me to reply to that speech. Then an Opposition Member, I remember being in the odd position of having to agree that...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: On the other hand, if there was a high-cost input into the business, and a company was selling windows to SSIA holders, for example, there would be much VAT. If that cannot be recovered, it would not have the same distorting effect on competition. That is the significant difference. There is another angle if a company is supplying to VAT-registered customers or end users who cannot reclaim...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: General consensus exists in the House that these resolutions should be passed. Generally speaking, they are an ease for small businesses, be they agricultural or non-agricultural. It is part of building an enterprising society in Ireland and reducing the burden of the State on small-scale economic activity. In all circumstances, the Minister for Finance is to be greatly complimented for...

Financial Resolution No. 5: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I move: (1) THAT the rate of flat-rate addition to the consideration in respect of the supply of agricultural produce or an agricultural service by a flat-rate farmer be increased from 4.8 per cent to 5.2 per cent, and that, accordingly, section 12A (inserted by the Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Act 1978 (No. 34 of 1978)) of the Value-Added Tax Act (No. 22 of 1972) be amended in subsection (1)...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I move Financial Resolution No. 6: THAT it is expedient to amend the law relating to inland revenue (including value-added tax and excise) and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that there were no projects funded by National Lottery monies through my Department in the past five years.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The number of non-Garda clerical staff in Garda Stations in the Louth/Meath Division as of 30 November 2006 is set out in a table. Station Number of clerical staff Drogheda 11 Dundalk 4 Kells 3 Trim 3 Ashbourne 2 Dunboyne 1 Balbriggan 3 Skerries 1 Navan 4 The number of non-Garda clerical staff in Naas, Longford, Athlone and Cavan Garda Stations as at 30 November 2006 is set out in...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 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 — Garda Training: Garda Training (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 153 and 158 together. I have been informed by Garda authorities that the total number of Gardaí that have completed training in the use of firearms, as at the 4th December, 2006 was 2942 (all ranks). Garda management state that they are satisfied that the members trained meet their current operational needs. I have been further informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The figures for headline offences detected for each Garda Division are available in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Detailed statistics in relation to headline and non headline offences are contained in the annual reports of An Garda Síochána which are available in the Oireachtas library. These figures include analysis on the basis of Garda Divisions with comparisons per 1000 of population. The analysis sought by the Deputy of reported incidents by comparisons to garda numbers in the stations referred to...