Results 14,341-14,360 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 22 June 2005 was 12,186 — all ranks. It is proposed to induct approximately 1,100 Garda students to the Garda College in 2005, consisting of four intakes of approximately 275 students. The first of these...

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

Michael McDowell: Some 18,000 applications for temporary permission to remain in the State were received under the revised arrangements for consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State from the non-national parents of children born in Ireland before 1 January 2005. Of this number, over 7,300 applicants have to date been granted temporary permission to remain in the State. Some 48...

Written Answers — Firearms Amnesty: Firearms Amnesty (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, in my speech on Second Stage of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, I announced to the House my intention to introduce amendments to the Firearms Acts, in the course of Committee Stage of the Bill, which will establish a statutory basis for a period during which firearms can be surrendered to the Gárda Síochána. The proposed amendment will allow me, by order, to...

Written Answers — Prisoner Health: Prisoner Health (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 has been passed by the Seanad and is currently awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil. Detailed provisions in relation to changes in the law in the matter of certification and decertification of prisoners as raised by the Deputy were inserted in the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill following agreement of the Seanad on Report Stage....

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have noted the recommendations of the Combat Poverty Agency policy statement on child poverty. The €499 million Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 already has an equal opportunities and social inclusion perspective and facilitates the further development and expansion of child care facilities to address the needs of parents, particularly those from low-income families, in...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 14 on Tuesday, 17 May, last. Since then, a further charter flight to Romania was carried out on 1 June 2005, returning a total of 58 persons including eight minors. Of these, 36 were subject to deportation orders, 19 had been refused leave to land in the State and a further three persons returned home voluntarily after withdrawing their...

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

Michael McDowell: Investigations are undertaken as part of normal duties. Therefore the multitude of different costs incurred by the inquiry into the death of Mr. Barron and by the related investigations referred to by the Deputies were accounted for in the normal manner under the relevant general sub-heads of the Votes concerned. For this reason it would not be possible to retrospectively cost the named...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of murders in which firearms were used in respect of each year from 1998 to 22 June 2005 are as set out in the table below. I am informed by the Garda authorities that murders involving the use of firearms tend to have lower conviction rates than other murders. This is not unique to Ireland. The number of violent deaths, namely, murder...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The control of the importation, manufacture, storage, sale and use of fireworks is provided for under the Explosives Act 1875. As the Deputy will be aware last February I published a fireworks policy consultation document and initiated a process of consultation with a view to bringing forward proposals for amending and strengthening the provisions in the 1875 Act. My Department has received a...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The tabular statement below outlines the number of freedom of information requests received by my Department in the first six months of each year requested. A significant number of requests received by my Department relate to personal information type requests from staff members and clients of my Department followed by requests of a non-personal nature ranging from statistical type...

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

Michael McDowell: I have made clear that an apology is due on behalf of the State to everyone who has been wronged by Garda misconduct in Donegal, and this, of course, includes the McBrearty family. The terms of the apologies will be settled as part of the resolution of the related civil actions currently before the courts. As regards any offer of a financial settlement of the case currently before the High...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 21 June 2005 was 12,186, all ranks. I am further informed that the total number of personnel allocated to community policing duties on a full-time basis as at 21 June 2005 was 459, all ranks, and that the total...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, in the light of allegations in 2002 about the handling by the church of child sex abuse, I announced my intention to introduce legislation for a new procedure which would enable focused and efficient investigations into matters of significant public concern to be undertaken, the Commissions of Investigation Act was subsequently enacted in July 2004. My Department is...

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

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, is currently accommodating close on 8,000 residents representing over 100 nationalities in 84 centres throughout 25 counties. The RIA places particular emphasis on meeting, to the greatest extent possible, the dietary needs of residents and, in this regard, 28-day menu cycles are in place in all large centres. In small centres menus are cycled on a...

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

Michael McDowell: The Government is not proposing to take action against any member of the force above the rank of superintendent arising from the second report of the Morris tribunal.

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that during each allocation of probationer gardaí cognisance is taken of vacancies which arise as a result of transfers or retirements. The needs of the Donegal division will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The national disability strategy, launched by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on 21 September 2004 represents the Government's targeted response to delivery of disability services. The launch involved seven Ministers with direct responsibility for the various elements of the strategy because of the cross-cutting nature of the issues involved. The strategy has been advanced by a...

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

Michael McDowell: As I have previously outlined to the House, an outside chief superintendent has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

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

Michael McDowell: I have no proposals to seek the amendment of the terms of reference of the Morris tribunal at this time.

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the publication of the 2004 annual report of the Garda Síochána Complaints Board. The report sets out the work of the board for the year and the progress made in a number of areas. I do not intend to go into detail on these as they are set out in the report itself and referred to in my press release of 14 June when I launched the report. That said, I note with satisfaction that...