Results 12,801-12,820 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: We will no longer have a reference to the Six Counties; it will be the seven counties.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: This is music to my ears.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am never surprised; I am always delighted.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should not worry.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Fine Gael will stop the Green Party from introducing such a measure.

Registration of Deeds and Title Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Green Party will have its way when it is in Government with Fine Gael.

Written Answers — Bilateral Agreements: Bilateral Agreements (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I take it the Deputy is referring to readmission agreements with African countries involving reciprocal undertakings in relation to the return of illegal residents to their countries of origin and related immigration matters. Such agreements take two forms — bilateral agreements between Ireland and another country and agreements negotiated by the European Commission with third countries on...

Written Answers — Data Collection: Data Collection (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The question of placing on a statutory basis the recording and use of the type of information referred to in the question which may be in the possession of the Garda Síochána arises in the context of an examination being carried out in my Department concerning the placing of the Garda vetting unit procedures on a statutory basis. This is a comprehensive exercise which will take into account...

Written Answers — Parental Leave: Parental Leave (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 provides for a range of improvements to the existing parental leave legislation which will offer greater flexibility to working parents. The main provisions of the Bill are as follows: raising the maximum age of the eligible child from five to eight years; an increase in the maximum age of the eligible child to 16 years in the case of children with...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as at 19 October 2005 was 574 — all ranks. A further seven gardaí — all ranks — are attached to the Garda national traffic bureau based at Garda headquarters. The personnel strength of the Garda Síochána includes personnel assigned to the Garda traffic corps. While the members...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The roll-out of e-mail to the Garda Síochána is underway. It is now available to all chief superintendents and higher grades and is currently being extended to superintendent level. The gardaí have plans for significant further extension of the system next year. Members of the public who wish to make a general comment or submit a general query by e-mail concerning the Garda Síochána can...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Preliminary estimates of the cost of providing various services to the Thornton Hall site were prepared as part of the site evaluation process which was carried out by engineering consultants prior to the decision to purchase the site. The report estimated the cost of providing various services, such as mains water, foul sewer, and power including gas and electricity to the site at...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: At the outset, I recall that in October 2004, the Government approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 in line with the commitment contained in An Agreed Programme for Government. I subsequently announced the time-table for implementation of the expansion of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 at a press conference at Garda headquarters on 14 October 2004. The...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 100 together. I refer the Deputies to my detailed reply to Priority Questions Nos. 48 and 49 of today. In particular, I would draw attention to the financial and legislative resources already in place or being put in place to tackle serious crime and the fact that measures to tackle serious crime are kept under continuing review.

Written Answers — Garda Resourcing: Garda Resourcing (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is the Garda specialist unit tasked with the role of tackling organised crime. It carries out this role by conducting intelligence-driven operations in close co-operation with other specialist units specifically, the national criminal intelligence unit, the Garda national drugs unit, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Criminal Assets...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of murders in which firearms were used in respect of each year from 1998 to 2004 are set out in the following table. I am informed by the Garda authorities that murders involving the use of firearms tend to have lower conviction rates than other murders. This is not unique to Ireland. The number of violent deaths, murder and manslaughter,...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána at the end of each year from 2000-2004, inclusively, and as at 19 November 2005 is as set out in the following table. Year Strength 2000 11,640 2001 11,815 2002 11,895 2003 12,017 2004 12,209...

Written Answers — Drugs Offences: Drugs Offences (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 22 November 2005 there were 527 persons serving prison sentences for drug offences including, possession of drugs for the purpose of sale, unlawful possession of drugs, unlawfully importing or exporting controlled drugs and unlawfully producing a controlled drug. There are no corresponding figures available for October 1997.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation remains ongoing. When the investigation is completed, a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Deputy will be aware, however, that the Garda Síochána publicly confirmed the link between the money-laundering operation and the proceeds of the Northern Bank robbery. As the Garda investigation is...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that the high proportion of the Legal Aid Board's work which comes within the family law field reflects the nature of the demand for its services from clients. The scope of the Civil Legal Aid Act, which governs the work of the Legal Aid Board, is in fact broader than this and law centres undertake other civil law work, including medical and professional negligence...