Results 12,941-12,960 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: "Almost" makes me a socialist but not quite. With regard to transport, it is not my intention, unless I am forced to do so in the future, to outsource escort services. On Monday I was informed that the new cellular transport vans are in operation and they are proving a success. They are operated by Prison Service staff.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not want to give misleading information and, therefore, I stated the cost would be between €200 million and €300 million because if I stated hundreds of millions, the figure would be leapt on and we would be at €1 billion before we finished.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: However, the private sector tenderers for a PPP must submit competitive tenders and I will not, therefore, outline the cost. Even if I could offer an educated guess, it would not be helpful.

Prison Building Programme. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not being offered as an educated guess. If the Minister for Health and Children decides to relocate the Central Mental Hospital, land will be available at Thornton Hall for that purpose. A significant capital dividend will accrue to the State because the lands at Dundrum have a colossal redevelopment value. The premises on the site are wholly unsuitable for the purpose for which they...

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together. The questions asked by the Deputies arise in the immediate aftermath of the brutal killing of two people in Firhouse and the equally callous killing of another man in Clontarf in the past two weeks. Both these incidents are being fully investigated by the Garda Síochána and I am sure the House will appreciate that I have to be careful...

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In answer to the Deputy's first question, I believe it is a serious problem. I do not minimise the threat from this violence between these gang members on each other because, inevitably, if it continues somebody other than the intended victims of shootings will become involved. On the Deputy's suggestion that we should break out provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill and move with them...

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A good deal of scepticism was expressed on this. The numbers are increasing. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, referred to the number of people who will have completed their two-year training by 2008.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The number of gardaí involved in the activities of the force and its organisational strength will reach 14,000 in December 2006.

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.