Results 14,001-14,020 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I previously outlined to the Deputy in my reply to question No. 217 on Thursday, 23 June 2005 in respect of crime figures, on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of the Carlow-Kildare division, as at 1 September 2005, was 331. I am further informed that the personnel strength — all ranks — of the Garda Síochána, as at 1 September 2005, was 12,228.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a full investigation is being carried out into the recent fatal shooting in the Dublin 15 area. Through operation Anvil, extra uniformed and armed patrols are in place on a twenty four hour basis. These patrols are supplemented by gardaí from divisional and national units. I am further informed that Littlepace and Castaheany are policed by...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength — all ranks — of Blanchardstown Garda station, as at 26 September 2005, was 164. I am further informed by Garda management that all personnel attached to Blanchardstown Garda station perform duties in Dublin 15. In addition, there...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is the case that the use of Garda stations was considered as part of the major review of the Garda organisation structures under the strategic management initiative, SMI, programme of modernisation which looked in detail at a range of areas within the organisation. The Garda SMI implementation steering group's final report, which I have laid before the House and which is available on my...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities are currently considering the revised sketch scheme, prepared by the Office of Public Works, for the proposed new Garda station for Leixlip. The Garda authorities will submit the scheme together with their observations to officials of my Department and, once agreed, it will be submitted to the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was issued with a travel document on the basis that he was granted temporary leave to remain in the State until 8 July 2005. On receipt of a further period of temporary leave to remain in the State it is open to him to apply for a renewal of this travel document. To date no such application for a renewal of his travel document has been received in my Department.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: A search of all visa records held by my Department did not locate any visa applications for a person of this name or similar name as that supplied by the Deputy. If such an application exists, the Deputy may wish to contact my Department through the standard channels, with the reference number, at which time my officials will ascertain the status of the application.

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 1: "To delete all words after "Dail Éireann" and substitute the following: "—welcomes the Government's commitment and performance to date in improving prison facilities and conditions and its decision to replace the Mountjoy complex with a new facility on a greenfield site; —notes that the development of a greenfield site will provide both better long-term value for...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: We will return to that point later too. In the meantime, a Mr. James Dillon of Dillon Auctioneers of Dunshaughlin had written to the Irish Prison Service offering a site at Balrath in County Meath for consideration for the project. His first letter, dated 14 September 2004, showed that he was proposing to sell a large farm at Balrath to the Irish Prison Service for the new prison. He had...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have spoken to Mr. Webster and to the official in the Irish Prison Service to whom Mr. Dillon wrote and I am quite satisfied that Mr. Dillon contacted them on his own initiative and without any prompting from the Irish Prison Service, or anyone representing or advising the Irish Prison Service. The lands at Thornton were only 2,500 yards away from the Coolquay site and were being offered at...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: If the Deputy listens he will hear the facts. On 13 January, Mr. Webster wrote to the vendors of Thornton Hall, on foot of his conversation with Mr. Byers, indicating the terms upon which the Irish Prison Service was willing to purchase their property and asking their solicitor to prepare the necessary contract documents to effect the transaction. I hope those dates are clear to everybody in...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: There was no factual basis for the makers of the programme to say so. All he did was to indicate that he might consider doing so.

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: His letter makes clear that he had made no firm decisions as to the "strategy" he was following in regard to this site. No attempt was made to inform the viewers that the site selection committee at its meeting of 18 January had before it a site evaluation report prepared by Clifton Scannell Emerson Consulting Engineers and McCabe Durney Planning Consultants. It was evident to anyone who read...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: No attempt was made to explain to the viewers that in the course of a year-long purchase process no suitable land was offered in County Dublin to the site selection committee at agricultural prices or any amount close to those prices. No attempt was made to explain to the viewers that the price agreed in respect of Thornton Hall was the lowest price of all the sites evaluated as suitable by...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: At that stage, he immediately reported the matter to the committee and offered to absent himself if it caused any embarrassment. I believe he acted with totally impeccable propriety regarding that matter. He acted in the interest of the Irish Prison Service and with the utmost professional integrity. The House might be interested to know that my view of him is generally shared. I note, since...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: He did not do so. In the course of a studio discussion, reference was made to questions put to me as Minister by the programme makers. Those questions were furnished to my Department only yesterday at 2.50 p.m., when I was visiting a child care facility in Cork before my visit to the National Ploughing Championships. It is self-evident that the film package on which the programme was based...

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is a very good point. He should tell that to the people of Meath the next time he is there.

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: With more gardaí, there would be no prisons.

Prison Building Programme: Motion. (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: During my tenure as Minister, I will also be introducing a new set of prison rules to replace the antiquated ones that now govern our prisons. With the Tánaiste, I am determined to bring to an end the scandalous neglect which the State has shown prisoners with mental health problems and psychiatric illnesses. It is our intention to replace the Victorian Central Mental Hospital with a...