Results 14,761-14,780 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Government noted, on 19 November 2002, my proposal to authorise the introduction of three "less than lethal" devices for use by the Garda emergency response unit where this is necessary to avoid the use of firearms. The use of these "less than lethal" devices is restricted to the emergency response unit. Guidelines on the use of authorised less lethal weapons by the Garda Síochána are...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: All applications for asylum in the State are processed in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, and in particular having due regard to the definition of a refugee in section 2 of that Act which states: A refugee is a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that a consultation process on my proposals for a Bill to streamline and modernise the liquor licensing laws by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 and replacing them with updated provisions more suited to modern conditions has recently concluded. I will take account of the views of organisations and individuals who responded to my request for submissions in the context...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Having made inquiries, I understand that responsibility for this matter rests with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to whom the question could be addressed.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that no application for a Garda CCTV system has been received in respect of Carrick-on-Suir or Tipperary town by the CCTV advisory committee, which was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems. It should be noted that 17 CCTV schemes, including Clonmel, are either at installation, tender or planning...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question was for the purposes of allowing the wife of a non-EEA national employed in the State under the employment permit scheme to travel to the State to reside with him. When assessing applications of this type, the visa officer considers, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker comes within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau were strengthened by the enactment in March of this year of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005. The Act makes further provision in respect of the recovery and disposal of the proceeds of crime. It amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and the Prevention of Corruption...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is aware that I published last July the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is on Second Stage in the House. As I have indicated previously, I am considering the introduction of a number of amendments to the Bill, including provision for criminal offences relating to organised crime. I am examining the issue in the context of giving effect in Irish law to the European Union Joint...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Law Reform Commission recently published its final report on public inquiries, including tribunals of inquiry. The report contains almost 60 recommendations about tribunals of inquiry and a draft tribunals of inquiry Bill. The report is being examined in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as a matter of urgency. I intend to bring proposals to the Government in the near...

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Thank God I did not come up with that suggestion.

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—conscious of the widespread and justified public disquiet at the findings of the first and second reports of the tribunal of inquiry into complaints concerning some gardaí of the Donegal division; —appreciative of the work of Mr. Justice Morris and of the significance of his recommendations...

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Listening to some of the material, I felt the Garda had never received a more comprehensive thrashing from politicians than in the past 40 minutes.

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have addressed the Dean Lyons issue, to which Deputy Rabbitte referred. I have appointed Mr. Shane Murphy, Senior Counsel, to report on that matter.

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I expect to receive his report in due course. I also want to respond to many of the points which were made about matters like the recording of statements made by persons in custody. As Deputy Costello has probably forgotten, it was made clear at a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights that 96% of statements are now recorded. I hope we can...

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I find it rich that the Labour Party has suggested in its motion that I should not proceed with the Garda Síochána Bill, which was the subject of a process of consultation after its heads were published. The Bill has been changed significantly on foot of an extensive Second Stage debate in this House, lengthy consideration on all Stages in the Seanad and a Committee Stage debate of record...

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——and tell me that what I am doing is the appropriate way forward.

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is clearly what the Labour Party Deputies said.

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: If the Labour Party wishes to establish a commission like the Patten Commission, when does it propose that it will report? The Labour Party Members should think about such matters.

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I cannot and will not abdicate my obligation to bring about reform——

Morris Tribunal: Motion. (21 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——now, rather than at some future stage. I will not postpone that reform. I remind the House that the 1982-87 Government, which doubled the national debt during its five years in office, was elected with a mandate to establish a Garda authority.