Results 12,441-12,460 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner and will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application in question was received by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 30 November 2005. A decision was reached on 7 December 2005 which is being conveyed to the applicant through the relevant Irish Embassy. The visa officer was unable to conclude, from the documentation submitted in support of the application, that it was reasonable to grant a visa. It is open to...

Written Answers — Gender Pay Gap: Gender Pay Gap (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is a large body of research, both national and international, on influences upon the gender pay gap. I am not aware of any research which shows a proven and definitive list of five primary factors. In my earlier response, I outlined eight widely recognised and complex factors which impact upon the gender pay gap. I reiterate that the issue of the gender pay gap is a multifaceted one,...

Written Answers — Violence Against Women: Violence Against Women (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: All the organisations under the Department's aegis ensure their staff receive the training they need to meet their responsibilities. In particular, all gardaí receive training on the investigation of cases of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault from experienced Garda personnel, assisted by other professionals such as psychologists, doctors, social workers and also experts from the...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 709, on Wednesday, 26 January 2005, and 456, on Tuesday, 4 October 2005. Since then the person in question has presented himself to the Garda National Immigration Bureau on several occasions and is due to present again on Thursday, 12 January 2006. The issuing of travel documents for this person is being pursued by the bureau...

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

Michael McDowell: I have not received requests from Garda management within the Kerry division for an increased allocation of personnel. The Garda Commissioner has responsibility for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel. The accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target....

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by Garda authorities that the following tables show the headline offences by group for districts referred to in County Galway for years 2000 to 2004 and up to 31 October 2005. Figures provided for 2004-2005 are provisional or operational and liable to change.

Written Answers — Disability Act 2005: Disability Act 2005 (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I commenced the sections of the Disability Act 2005 for which I have responsibility on 29 July 2005 by signing the Disability Act 2005 (Commencement) Order, SI 474 of 2005. With the exception of section 29, which deals with the accessibility of heritage sites and nature reserves, and Part 6, which provides for the establishment of a centre for excellence in universal design in the National...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person in question was found dead on the Isle of Doagh, Clonmany, County Donegal on 29 January 2003. The death was fully investigated and found to be consistent with accidental drowning. No evidence was found to suggest the commission of a criminal offence. An inquest file was also prepared for the coroner who found the person's death was due to...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána has not to my knowledge placed any allegation in the public domain about this person. I can confirm, however, the Garda Síochána informed me of the factual basis for matters which I have put into the public domain regarding the person in question.

Written Answers — Public-Private Partnerships: Public-Private Partnerships (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: No public-private partnership-based capital expenditure has been incurred by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the years in question.

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: This speech will be more sincere.

Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis an Teachta Ó Conchúbhair, le cead an Tigh. I welcome the introduction of this Private Members' Bill by Deputy Rabbitte and his colleagues in the Labour Party. It has a very specific focus, namely, to address certain deficiencies in the current law pertaining to the conduct of an inquest by a coroner. These deficiencies — the restriction on the...

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I did not leak any document from any file. I was asked by Independent Newspapers whether I would be prepared to give it a document in the possession of the State, which is the forged application form for a passport in the name of Mr. Johnston, which was used by the perpetrators on one of the journeys as part of the Colombia three episode. I decided that I would do so for proper reasons to...

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——yet it appears to be a huge surprise to people opposite that this is the case. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe knows well that no Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has ever commented in this House on whether a person's telephone has been tapped, and I do not intend to do that. That is a fact.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I reiterate I did not leak any document. I did not have any official file on this matter and I did what I said I did and what I said yesterday openly and candidly on radio. I arranged for a document which the Irish Independent sought to be delivered to it, and it was looking for it for some time.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is no question of it being a confidential document. It is a forgery. Whose confidential interests are protected by keeping it private? What person has a right to say it should not be published because it could affect him or her?

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Nobody has a right to do so. Let us be clear about this. This was a document which was sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs by people who wanted to obtain a forged passport in the name of a real person who had nothing to do with it and who forged the signature of a priest in Belfast on it. All I have done is to give to the Irish Independent, at its request, a copy of the forgery in order...

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will finish on this point. There appear to be people in this House who are afraid of the truth.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There appear to be people in this House who have a deep aversion to the truth emerging in these matters. They are not by any means universally representative of their parties because I want to put on the record of this House that in the summer of this year, I was approached by a senior Opposition Front Bench Member——