Results 12,901-12,920 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Diversion Programmes: Garda Diversion Programmes (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Children Act 2001 provides the framework for the development of our juvenile justice system. The Garda juvenile diversion programme provides an opportunity to divert juvenile offenders from criminal activity. It operates under the supervision and direction of the Garda national juvenile office, Harcourt Square, and is implemented throughout all Garda divisions by 94 specially trained...

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

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is seeking information on the outcome of the recently advertised Garda recruitment competition. The written examination stage of the recruitment process is being conducted at present at various centres throughout the country, the results of which are not yet known. The various stages of the recruitment process will be concluded by early 2006. The first recruits to be...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy regarding this matter when the data becomes available.

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

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Assets Bureau takes civil proceedings focused on assets which are believed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct. These are civil investigations but will, in most cases, follow from earlier criminal investigations. The seizure of assets in criminal investigations or proceedings is carried out by the Director of Public Prosecutions under separate provisions. The Criminal Assets...

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

Michael McDowell: I assure the Deputy that the authorities are fully aware of the potential damage that may be caused by unauthorised access to industrial secrets by non-national entities. In this context, every effort is made to identify any vulnerabilities that may exist and to guard against non-national entities potentially engaged in industrial espionage.

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

Michael McDowell: The courts are, subject to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. There are also avenues open to the person concerned to make complaints against the Garda Síochána, the legal profession and others against whom he has a grievance.

Adequacy of Law. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Sections 18 and 20 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 make statutory provision on the justifiable use of force in order to protect a person or property or to prevent a crime. Section 18 sets out the various purposes for which justifiable force may be lawfully used, that does not constitute an offence. The force used must be reasonable by reference to the circumstances...

Adequacy of Law. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The 1997 legislation was introduced by former Deputy Owen and put through the Houses in the lead up to the general election of that year by the Labour, Fine Gael and Democratic Left Government. The legislation predates the current Government. The wording and balance was chosen by the Opposition parties, not by me.

Adequacy of Law. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Jim O'Keeffe has stated that he believes the balance might be recast somewhat in favour of the home owner. Let us see the colour of his money on this issue. Let us see exactly how he believes that should be done. If he wishes to do this, the Criminal Justice Bill provides an opportunity for the House to consider the issue. If the balance that was struck in 1997 in the legislation...

Adequacy of Law. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I welcome that proposal because the Deputy knows that during discussions at meetings of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, I have made it clear that amendments to the criminal law emanating from any source, in the context of proposed legislation, will be considered in a fair and reasonable way. I look forward to seeing any proposal from Deputy Jim O'Keeffe...

Garda Operations. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Last year, an inter-agency working group on Garda vetting reported with a clear and focused strategy for enhancing national vetting arrangements from a child protection perspective. This strategy provided for an expansion in the criminal record vetting service provided by the Garda central vetting unit to all organisations which recruit persons having substantial, unsupervised access to...

Garda Operations. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is an accumulated backlog of unvetted people which will take some time to deal with. As I indicated in my answer to the Deputy, these sectors will be dealt with by the vetting unit in chronological order as they get their requirements together. To vet 30,000 people the staff in the unit, given its current complement, would need to deal with 1,000 inquiries each in a year, which should...

Garda Operations. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I cannot answer a hypothetical question but security clearance is a radically different proposition from vetting provided by the central vetting unit. It arises in another question later today so I will not trespass on that but "soft" information, as opposed to "hard" information, is a requisite in a security vetting procedure whereas, as the Deputy knows, the inclusion of soft information on...

Garda Operations. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will come to that in a later question.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The size of the site purchased will provide for and enable the development to be carried out in a manner which is consistent with best practice from a planning perspective. It will also facilitate the provision of an integrated prison complex with ample recreational and therapeutic facilities. In addition, in line with a recent Government decision a site will be made available for the...

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: On the last point, they would not be on the same campus, they would be on adjacent campuses. On the acquisition cost, the land in question was the cheapest land per acre suitable for the construction of a prison which was offered to the committee.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is true.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is true. I have examined the records and it was the cheapest land per acre for land which was suitable for the construction of a prison.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy would be asking me different questions if I bought unsuitable land.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is no fox trot, it is just common sense.