Results 12,961-12,980 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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Michael McDowell: I read an historical document recently, the Fine Gael manifesto from the early 1980s——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

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is happening while I am Minister.

Gangland Killings. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Doubting Thomas.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Community policing has been, continues to be and will be fostered, developed and resourced within the Garda Síochána. Community policing is one of the core means by which the Garda Síochána deliver its policing service. Because the Garda Síochána depends on the community it serves, there is a strong organisational commitment to engaging with the community. I have been informed by the...

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: One initiative increases the money allocated to youth diversion schemes, bringing the total available for these highly successful interventions to €6.6 million. Some 60 of these schemes target youths at risk throughout the country. It is proposed to increase that figure to 100.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy had posed a question on Garda numbers in Clonmel I would be in a better position to respond in detail to the points made.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Healy asked a general question on community policing and now we are discussing the number of gardaí in Clonmel, which is a different question.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am always happy to answer questions that are fairly put. I will answer the question on arrangements in his town if the Deputy writes to me. The Deputy seems to be radically confused about the concepts of community policing and public order policing. Two gardaí on patrol on the main street of Clonmel on Saturday evening is not community policing. Community policing involves dedicated police...

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Speaking on community policing and public order offences in a confused and abstracted way is a mistake.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy checks the Official Report he will see he did mention it. The Garda Síochána is being expanded to 14,000 and additional resources will be made available.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Commissioner stated that all additional gardaí will undertake frontline policing duties and will be there much earlier than three years from now. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe stated it would take 20 years to recruit these extra gardaí.

Garda Recruitment. (23 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In respect of Deputy O'Keeffe the only 20 year period I know about is that he was first appointed spokesman for justice for his party in 1978, almost 30 years ago. His party has signally failed to deliver any Garda reform at any time since he was appointed spokesman for justice.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I recently approved the application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person named. The person concerned was informed of my decision by letter on 9 November 2005, as well as the procedures that must be finalised before a certificate of naturalisation can issue. When these procedures are completed, a certificate of naturalisation will issue as...