Results 13,201-13,220 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In relation to crime figures the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. The Deputy will also wish to be aware that, taking into account the significant increase in our population since 1995, the...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 2 November 2005 in this matter.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that there is no necessary correlation between Land Registry boundaries and ordnance survey detail. Land Registry maps are based on ordnance survey maps. The maps lodged for registration are also based on ordnance survey maps or copy Land Registry maps. They delineate the boundaries of the property to be registered as agreed between the parties. The...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question. My understanding is that the position remains as outlined in the Land Registry's response to the Deputy of 25 October 2005.

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Constitution, justice is required to be administered in public save in such special and limited cases as may be prescribed by law. The law, section 45 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, prescribes that justice may be administered otherwise than in public in the case of urgent applications for relief by way of habeas corpus, bail, prohibition or injunction, matrimonial...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that residency was granted to the person in question on 28 September 2005 and a letter notifying the applicant of the decision issued on the same day. Following the receipt of further correspondence, a response was issued to the person in question on 6 October 2005 further clarifying the conditions of the permission granted. The Deputy should note that matters...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person referred to by the Deputy made a complaint to gardaí alleging that she was assaulted in Killarney, County Kerry on 14 June 2004. I am further informed that the complaint was investigated by gardaí and the alleged offender was dealt with under the Garda juvenile diversion programme as he was 17 years of age at the time of the alleged...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 254, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that statements in the case referred to by the Deputy were taken from eight witnesses. Only one witness alleged that a verbal altercation took place involving the person concerned. The Garda investigation did not establish any evidence to support this allegation. I am further informed by...

Written Answers — : (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation file in this matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions who instructed that no criminal proceedings be taken in the matter. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in his functions and it is not open for me to comment or intervene in his decisions in any way.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department was represented on a steering committee overseeing a cross-departmental review of road safety expenditure which examined expenditure incurred over the lifetime of the first road safety strategy, from 1998 to 2002. This review sought to evaluate the effectiveness of all public spending on road safety and to establish the impact of road safety performance on other areas such as...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2004 a total of 12,307 arrests were recorded for driving while intoxicated. In 2003, 11,344 arrests were made. Therefore in 2004, an increase of 8.5% occurred in the number of arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to open the Second Stage debate on the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002. The Bill was presented in the Seanad on 10 December 2002, considered in committee on 7 and 8 April 2004 and passed by that House on 19 April 2005 following detailed discussion on its provisions. Significant amendments were made to the Bill in the Seanad and...

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I agree.

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Rabbitte puts it far less eloquently than Deputy Ring.

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Currently, local authority officials are subject to a code of conduct under the Local Government Act 2001.

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The code includes disclosure requirements concerning employment outside the local government sector and addresses situations concerning conflict of personal and public interests. The issue of senior local government officials accepting outside appointments or consultancies following resignation or retirement is not subject to the present code. I understand, however, that in regard to county...

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——and that the suggestions in the Standards in Public Office Commission's 2004 annual report are also being considered fully.

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The policy decisions on that legislation are well advanced in my Department. I am currently in a process of consulting with the Judiciary. When that process is complete, I will be in a position to give a firm date for publication.

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The broadcasting authority of Ireland Bill will be published next year. Whether the particular issue raised by the Deputy will be included in it has not yet been decided.

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I said, the status of TG4 is a matter which may or may not be dealt with in the context of the broadcasting Bill. We expect to publish that Bill in 2006.