Results 7,981-8,000 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Proposed Legislation. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Murray group evaluated that proposition in the context of our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Two things of importance have happened in the jurisprudence of Strasbourg. First, as a result of the Caroline von Hannover case, there is now a clear statement that any old set of privacy laws will not do.

Proposed Legislation. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Exactly. In addition, following the Murray report's evaluation of the two issues, we now have the Wainwright decision. The point that has just been made by the Deputy — that the provisions of Article 8 of the convention are enough — seems to have been canvassed before the European Court of Human Rights by British lawyers acting for the British state in that case. They were told by the...

Proposed Legislation. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——it moves the matter forward and makes some form of protection necessary.

Proposed Legislation. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I would like to say, a Leas Cheann-Comhairle, that I am open to reasonable discussion with all relevant interests about the exact sequencing of the defamation and privacy legislation. I agree with the Deputy — there is a consensus to this effect in each of the Houses — that we should proceed with the day-to-day nitty-gritty of putting in place protections for ordinary people in their...

Proposed Legislation. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The press council may go a long way to achieving that end.

Crime Prevention. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The recent incidents in which bank workers, non-bank workers and their families have been held captive with a view to assisting robberies are clearly a cause of great concern. The phenomenon of tiger kidnappings has been translated from the paramilitary world into the ordinary criminal world. Determined criminals use any opportunity to further their illegal activities. The targeting of...

Crime Prevention. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am suggesting the exact opposite. Any bank that does not take stern measures to deal with this threat is exposing its employees and the employees of other banks to this threat. There is no excusing corner-cutting by the banks on this issue.

Crime Prevention. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will appreciate, the majority of these raids have happened to deposit-taking institutions and banks. I have established a forum comprising the Garda Síochána, cash-holders and cash in transit companies to discuss these matters. I assure the Deputy that I do not blame the victims in tiger kidnappings. However, victims are made vulnerable if the systems are not in place to...

Crime Prevention. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Where somebody in authority in a bank knows that another employee is the subject of a tiger kidnapping, there must be a system for reporting this. The Deputy asked if I had made such protocols mandatory. The only method whereby I could make them mandatory is to make them a term of the licence of the banks licensed by IFSRA.

Crime Prevention. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have discussed this option with the banks regarding the cash in transit issue. I have indicated to them that whereas the Private Security Authority can regulate the cash in transit industry, I see the banks responsibilities as being equally serious. I have also indicated that if voluntary adherence to codes of conduct were not sufficient, I would ask the Minister of Finance to instruct...

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that as the very grave incident referred to is the subject of ongoing disciplinary proceedings, I am not in a position to comment on the matter and it would be wrong of me to do so.

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The disciplinary regulations are the subject of a consultation procedure and this has been advanced. The regulations which I modified following a series of representations made to me are a huge improvement on the old ones. It is not a matter of me clicking my fingers and stating my view. I must follow a consultation process with the Garda and statute also obliges me to consult the...

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I cannot say, but as soon as they have been concluded, I will notify the Deputy and respond to any question that I might reasonably answer in those circumstances.

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret to inform the Deputy that that is not so. I have been very clear in what I want in the regulations, but I must consult others. It would be very easy for me——

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The deadline reflected my expectation at the time, but I cannot simply click my fingers and declare the process of consultation over as I must ensure that I am being fair. The Deputy will appreciate that, as Mr. Justice Morris said in his tribunal report, the current procedure is like that for a murder trial but for relatively small infractions of the disciplinary code. I must sweep all...

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have made a great deal of progress. One must show a little determination to achieve things. The disciplinary code, which had been allowed to grow ever more complex, like the procedure for a murder case, is now the subject of regulations that have been circulated, and I intend to sign them.

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes, but there has been consultation on their exact content and modification to ensure that they are fit for purpose. If it takes another few weeks to reach agreement, I am happy to take that extra time.

Garda Disciplinary Proceedings. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not wish to comment on the individual case, but there is a system of sergeants and inspectors whose functions include ensuring that people are at their post, are sober and so on. It goes without saying that if any superior officer had any inkling that an incident of that kind was taking place, he or she would have acted immediately. The circumstances were extremely unusual and most...

Graffiti Offences. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for cleaning graffiti rests with local authorities under the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

Graffiti Offences. (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes, and I congratulate the Deputy on its introduction. However, earlier this year my Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs initiated a pilot project, the GRO initiative, aimed specifically at combating graffiti in Dublin city, Galway city and Bray, County Wicklow. The...