Results 10,621-10,640 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——to bring them before the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights and have a good discussion with all Members of the House who are interesting in discussing their substance at that venue. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. There is no obligation under the Garda Síochána Act to do so, as the regulations simply require the approval of...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Ó Snodaigh spoke of NGOs representing the community. As far as I am concerned, I suppose the Government parties are GOs — governmental organisations — for the time being but the Opposition parties are NGOs. The Opposition parties are non-governmental organisations which have a mandate from the people to speak on these matters. They have spoken with considerable clarity on the...

Garda Deployment. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since the formation of the State, Governments of every stripe have been slow, if not dilatory, in civilianising non-core policing functions. We have come late to the process compared with other European police jurisdictions. As the Hayes report into the Garda Síochána Act 2005 implementation review group stated: We are concerned that the rate of civilianisation in the Garda Síochána is...

Garda Deployment. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The agreement arrived at in 2001 prior to my appointment provided for civilianisation of 496 posts over 20 years, with only 27 to be civilianised between then and now. At my request, 300 surplus posts in the Department of Agriculture and Food are to be transferred to my Department to assist with the civilianisation programme. The first phase took place in recent months with the establishment...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In July 2005, as part of a submission on the future resourcing requirements of the Garda, the Garda Commissioner proposed the recruitment of up to 4,000 reserve members, as provided for in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, and an increase in the force's strength from 14,000 to 15,000. In response, and in the context of identifying policing priorities for inclusion in the Garda policing plan for...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I did not make such a commitment. I dealt with this issue the last time I was in the House for question time. At the time the draft heads of the Bill were being published, there was a Government freeze on any further recruitment to the Garda Síochána above 12,200. I told the AGSI that I would never use a reserve as a substitute to arrive at the 14,000 member mark, which was promised in the...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have ambitions which might go beyond that.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I did not give the AGSI an undertaking that I would resign at the end of this Government's term.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I listened carefully to the Dáil debate on the issue. At the beginning, there were delay mechanisms to the introduction of the reserve force. The overwhelming consensus of this House — the only exception to which was the view of the Sinn Féin Deputies — was that I should go ahead and recruit the reserve now. The joint committee sent a delegation to view how reservists work in the UK and...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: No, I did not give any undertaking, but yes, I gave a prediction that it would not happen.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I received a submission from the Commissioner with his proposals on the functioning of the reserve. That sets out in extenso his view of the powers that the reserve force should have. It is not his function to determine these matters, but rather a question for the Government to make an order. I intend to consult with the joint committee on these issues before we arrive at a final position. I...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: He came up with 5,000. I have him on record in expansive humour. It does not matter. If the size of the reserve relative to the full-time force is a matter of concern to the force, I am willing to discuss that issue. I wish to arrive at a consensus with the Garda representative organisations. If they have a major problem with that issue, then I am willing to discuss the limit of the reserve...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the target.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It remains the target for September. Training must be carried out and I cannot suddenly click my fingers and establish training courses all over Ireland. These things must be done gradually and must be done to a high standard.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: If I thought that was the case, I would say so. As far as I am concerned, 900 recruits is an achievable target for this year. How far we go beyond that target is a matter on which I am genuinely willing to consult. The two representative associations which have thus far expressed opposition in principle to the idea have not been willing to discuss any other figure. I have indicated to them...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The training must be part of the regulations establishing the reserve. I am definitely willing to discuss the issue with anybody who wishes to do so and I will discuss it with the joint committee.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In recent years, considerable work has been undertaken in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as well as within the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, to deal with applications for asylum and to speed up processing times. The work involved has resulted in a situation where processing has continued to move strongly in both agencies....

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Approximately one fifth of deportation orders are actually executed. Over 60% of orders issued are deemed evaded, in that the persons concerned fail to report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau as requested in the notification letter sent to them. The legal effect of this is that the persons concerned can be arrested and detained pending their removal for failing to comply with the...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The great majority of people classified as children are 16 and 17 years old when they arrive here.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: We are not dealing with people in short pants or infants.