Results 14,321-14,340 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I fully accept that point. If the Deputy looks at this Bill, for the first time the structures are there. The structures are being put in place for the right to require information and, in certain circumstances through the Secretary General of the Department, to require the production of documents.

Written Answers — Garda Personnel: Garda Personnel (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that as of 21 June 2005 there were 86 juvenile liaison officers, JLO, gardaí and eight JLO sergeants working in the various divisions throughout the country. In addition to this the National Juvenile Office has a staff of one superintendent, two inspectors and two...

Written Answers — Claims against Gardaí: Claims against Gardaí (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to court awards and out of court settlements in actions taken against members of the Garda Síochána in respect of assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in the following table. As of 31 December 2003, there were approximately 750 civil actions taken against members of the Garda Síochána on hand. A...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer to my response to Question No. 382 of Tuesday, 31 May 2005, which was also submitted by the Deputy. The persons concerned are a mother and her two sons who arrived in the State in October 2002 and claimed asylum. Following a full and fair examination of their case at every stage of the asylum process, their applications for refugee status were refused. After a further examination of...

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 16 together. I draw the Deputies' attention to my detailed response to a similar question from Deputy Penrose which was taken on Tuesday, 17 May 2005. I indicated at that time that I had no intention of renegotiating the proposal for organisational change which had already been arbitrated upon by the Civil Service Arbitration Board as to do so would...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I have previously indicated to the House, I intend to bring forward an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 to provide for the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders. I am concerned at the extent to which the quality of life of decent law abiding citizens can be adversely affected by the anti-social behaviour of a minority. I am therefore proposing that the gardaí should be...

Written Answers — Judicial Conduct: Judicial Conduct (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Judicial Council Bill, the scheme of which is in development in my Department, will establish a judicial council with responsibility for a number of matters. Among these will be the devising of a code of ethics and the management of a process, to be set out in the Bill, for the investigation of complaints about judicial misbehaviour. An important feature of the disciplinary process will...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 19 together. I refer the Deputies to my statement in this House last Friday, 17 June when the House had an opportunity to debate the findings and recommendations of the first and second reports of the Morris tribunal. I set out in detail my response to the reports and my proposals for reform of the Garda Síochána arising from the findings and...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: In July 2002, the then Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, wrote to all Ministers requesting them to review the gender balance on the State boards and committees under the aegis of their Departments and to take measures to redress gender imbalances where the 40% target has not yet been reached. The Minister of State also advised Ministers that, to ensure progress, it was intended to bring a six...

Written Answers — Libel Laws: Libel Laws (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 165 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Priority Question No. 4 of today's date.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in the following tabular format. Table 1: Number of applications for asylum received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner* to grant refugee status (at first instance) in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005**. 2002 2003 2004 2005** No. of applications received 11,634 7,900 4,766 1,901 No. of...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the concerns of residents regarding anti-social behaviour and acts of vandalism in communities and, along with my commitment of introducing new legislation to assist in combating this, I am assured by the Garda authorities that all available resources are actively targeting the problem. Ensuring public safety by reducing the incidence of public disorder and anti-social behaviour...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána maintains regular contact with other police forces through established channels which provide for the structured exchange of information and intelligence, including information and intelligence relating to organised crime. Gardaí also participate in many international fora in relation to organised crime. Moreover, they participate at all levels of Europol activity. The...

Written Answers — Prison Suicides: Prison Suicides (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the contents of the 2004 report of the Visiting Committee of Arbour Hill Prison, which was presented to me on 12 January 2005. The full text of the visiting committee's report has been publicly available on the website of my Department since 5 April 2005. I deeply regret that two suicides of prisoners occurred at Arbour Hill Prison in January 2004 and in August 2004,...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will not be asking the Government to consider seeking the resignation of the Garda Commissioner. I have full confidence in the Garda Commissioner to bring forward any necessary measures which are appropriate to him in the light of the findings and recommendations in the Morris reports.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Details of legal costs incurred by the State in respect of members of the force represented at the Morris tribunal and related court costs are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy. As regards Garda expenses the position is that investigations are undertaken as part of normal duties. Therefore, the multitude of different costs incurred by the inquiry into the death of Mr. Barron...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 63 together. I am advised by the Garda authorities that currently there are 130 Garda stations equipped with audio-video facilities. A recently conducted Garda survey indicates that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations 1997 are now being recorded. Interviews are not recorded...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Strong provisions are already in place to combat all categories of crime. With regard to public order offences the primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. I was pleased to note a reduction in assault causing harm in 2004 compared with 2003. This trend has continued in 2005 with a 15% reduction in assaults causing harm in the...

Written Answers — Children Act 2001: Children Act 2001 (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that the Children Act 2001 is a complex and comprehensive piece of legislation and, for those reasons, provisions under the Act are being implemented on a phased basis, as was envisaged at the time of enactment. Responsibility for implementing the Children Act 2001 lies with three Departments: the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I want to emphasise that the Government places a high priority on putting into place measures aimed at tackling crimes of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and other crimes of violence against women. In this regard, my Department, which is one of five Departments with responsibilities in this area, plays a major role in that it has responsibility for legislative initiatives and...