Results 12,361-12,380 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move: That Dáil Éireann, —bearing in mind the significant public concern about the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy operating under the aegis of the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin; —noting the informal Government decision of 22 October 2002 that the matter required further consideration and reflection, in particular on the part of the...

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I remind the House of the circumstances which give rise to the motion before the House. In November 2002, an RTE "Prime Time" documentary reported on child sexual abuse by priests in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin. The programme made a number of disturbing assertions as to the inadequate way in which allegations and complaints of sexual abuse by priests of the archdiocese were handled,...

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have a fairly substantial script but it is available for Deputies.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will ring the Protestant Archbishop and ask him.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Anyway, we can change that on Committee Stage.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am told some of my answers are too long.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Which was very wise.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Ferns is about one tenth the size of the Dublin diocese.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is a good idea.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: A 15 year inquiry is an attractive idea.

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Regarding the 15-year proposal——

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Deputies for their warm and supportive remarks. The commission will be established for 18 months. It will report not later than 18 months after its establishment. It is open to the Minister of the day to extend that time if it becomes necessary. It will comprise of a number of members. The Chair, Judge Murphy, will work full-time for the commission. The other three members will...

Establishment of Commission of Investigation: Motion. (14 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: No, they are being selected in a consultative process. Judge Murphy has immense experience as a public servant, as a journalist, as an editor of a magazine and as a member of the staff of the National Social Service Board. In addition, she was at one stage a special adviser to the Tánaiste of this State. These are quite extensive qualifications for anyone carrying out this kind of work. She...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 to 370, inclusive, together. There have been no deportations to Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Angola or Kenya in the past year. It should be noted that consideration is given to the non-refoulement provision in section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended, before making a deportation to any country. My Department uses extensive country of origin information...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I informed the Deputy in reply to Question No. 192, which was for answer on 7 December, 2005, I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the information requested is not readily available in the detail sought. I will communicate further with the Deputy when the Garda authorities have compiled the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned has been granted leave to remain in the State for one year. This decision has been conveyed to him in a letter dated 9 December 2005. Upon receipt of this letter, the person concerned is advised to contact the Garda national immigration bureau, located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, to obtain the appropriate registration.

Written Answers — Prisoner Health Report: Prisoner Health Report (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 24 November, 2005. I understand that the salary costs of the research team undertaking the study referred to by the Deputy were met by the resources of the national forensic mental health service at the Central Mental Hospital. My Department provided the remainder of the funding required.

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible, within the timeframe available, to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact him directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the person in question has been asked to produce his driving licence and certificate of insurance at his local Garda station on four occasions in the past two years. Complaints have been made by the person in question on many occasions when he has been in contact with the Garda. These complaints have been, or are currently being, investigated...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The final report of the Garda human rights audit was publicly launched in March 2005 and is available on the Garda website, www.garda.ie. I fully support the Commissioner in commissioning and publishing the Garda human rights audit which identifies certain shortcomings in respect of the force in an open and transparent manner. The audit focuses on: the need for An Garda Síochána to further...