Results 12,921-12,940 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I also make clear to the Deputies opposite that the number of gardaí fell when their parties were last in office. This point must be made constantly because some people are prepared to talk about what I am doing as if it is not enough——

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——when their record was to run down the strength of the Garda Síochána when they were in office.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy O'Keeffe does not like me dealing with the fact——

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy was first made Fine Gael spokesman on justice in 1978——

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——and neither the Labour Party nor Fine Gael——

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——offered a single extra garda in the previous general election and they derided those parties which stated they would increase the strength of the force.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: And have kept their promise.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy keeps contradicting me on this, I will stick out this argument because the record shows that I am telling the truth and he is bluffing and blustering as always.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy may want to be disruptive but the facts are that the numbers in the Garda Síochána have increased from 10,800 when the Deputy's party left office, and it had fallen at that stage from when his party had taken office, to more than 12,300 now and it will be 14,000 in December 2006, which is 13 months away.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is me delivering on my commitments. These are commitments the Deputy's party never made to the electorate and which it derided when they were made.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do mean business and I will count on the Opposition parties to assist me——

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——to put this legislation through the House as quickly as possible. I count on that support and I am grateful to the Deputies opposite for offering it.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: If we are to consider the record of this Government in the fight against crime, especially during my tenure as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Garda Síochána has never been more heavily resourced than it is now. The process of reorganising the Garda Síochána is well advanced and will be implemented in the first six months of next year. This process of radical...

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I read an historical document recently, the Fine Gael manifesto from the early 1980s——

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——which stated it would do it then. That party was in office after that period for ten years and did nothing to advance that agenda. I will not take lectures from the parties that let down the Garda Síochána over the years on the proper execution of criminal matters.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am glad to tell both Deputies that after many years of neglect, the Garda Síochána is getting a digital radio system in 2006.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Every time I start to answer a question Opposition Deputies start shouting.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In January 2006 the tenders will be out and the programme will be rolled out by mid-summer 2006.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The extension of the Garda digital radio network will commence in mid-2006.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am telling the Deputy it is happening. All this was neglected for years and the 20 year old sets we hear about survived two periods of the Labour Party in Government, when nothing was done on the matter.