Results 15,841-15,860 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 68, tabled by Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin for today, in the above regard.

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Private Security Authority was established in October 2004 and is located in Tipperary town. The authority currently has a staff complement of five persons. It is envisaged that staffing levels will be increased appropriately over the coming weeks and months. Since its establishment, the Private Security Authority has been formulating strategies for the implementation of the Private...

Written Answers — Prison Reports: Prison Reports (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 751 together. The Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention has made a considerable number of recommendations in his reports aimed at improving prison services and conditions. The position as of end-2003 in regard to implementation of the inspector's earlier recommendations is set out in detail in the Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2003, which...

Written Answers — Prison Drug Treatment Services: Prison Drug Treatment Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Mindful of the commitments in the programme for Government, a group comprising Irish Prison Service management, prison governors, health authority representatives and clinicians have been consulted in relation to a drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service. The intention is that the drugs policy will facilitate consistent regulatory and operational structures in pursuing both supply and...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 131 and 711 together. From January 2002 to date, 13 charter flights have been engaged for the purpose of deportation of persons illegally residing in the State. A total of 376 persons were deported in this way at a total cost of €1,628,201. Details of these charter flights, that is, dates, destinations, numbers deported — broken down into adults and...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 778 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of today.

Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 135 together. I take it both questions relate to threats arising in relation to international terrorism rather than from indigenous terrorist groupings. Responsibility for internal national security is a matter for the Garda Síochána, with the support of the Defence Forces, as appropriate. The Garda authorities maintain an up-to-date assessment of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 731 together. I, and the officials of my Department on my behalf, have been in regular communication over a significant period with the Garda authorities in relation to issues arising from the investigation of the double murder in the Grangegorman area on 6-7 March 1997. Each such communication could be regarded as a request for a report. In view of...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that 1,421 recruits have graduated from the Garda College since 6 June 2002. The figure refers to those who have successfully completed the student-probationer education and training programme. I am further informed that a total of 1,235 members, all ranks, have...

Written Answers — Prison Reports: Prison Reports (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The formal reports received by my Department from the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention, since his appointment, are as follows: First Annual Report of the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention; Report of the Inspection of Cloverhill Prison; Report of the Inspection of Mountjoy Prison and the Dóchas Centre; Report of the Inspection of Portlaoise Prison; Report of the...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints: Garda Complaints (12 Apr 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 table below. As of 31 December 2003, there were approximately 750 civil actions taken against members of the Garda Síochána in hand. A detailed...

Written Answers — Prisons Building Programme: Prisons Building Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The criteria employed in the assessment of the site are set out in the minutes of the selection committee which have been published. I am satisfied that proper procedures were followed and I reject any suggestion to the contrary.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I was pleased to note decreases in aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, rape of a female and unlawful carnal knowledge in the provisional headline crime figures for the quarter ending 31 March 2005 which I have just released. I was concerned, however, to see a recorded increase in the number of cases of rape section 4. With regard to the number of detections, I can assure the Deputy...

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The number of miles recorded on the financial management systems in my Department for members of the prison visiting committees for the period January to December 2004 is 282,629 at a cost of €295,432.69. As I have previously explained, a visiting committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order, 1925. Vouched...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the detailed breakdown of staff numbers currently employed in training and other duties at the Garda College, Templemore, as sought by the Deputy is as set out hereunder:

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: In relation to all files submitted to me containing recommendations for deportation, it is plainly necessary for officials to collate and summarise all relevant information and present it in a coherent and consistent format for me to consider. Almost without exception, this involves, first, a summary of all available information on each of the 11 factors in section 3(6) of the 1999 Act and,...

Written Answers — Proceeds of Crime: Proceeds of Crime (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Assets Bureau enforces the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 which provides statutory procedures of restraint. The effect of restraint orders made by the High Court is to freeze, for at least seven years, property deemed to be the proceeds of crime. After that period, a disposal order may be sought from the court to vest the property in the Minister for Finance. It is only where the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Legislation governing road traffic law is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport. The law pertaining to exhaust systems on vehicles is contained in Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicle) Regulations 1963, as amended. These regulations are enforced by the Garda Síochána. The Garda authorities inform me that the number of prosecutions provided by the PULSE...

Written Answers — National Disability Strategy: National Disability Strategy (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Preparation of the national disability strategy has been guided by the Cabinet committee on social inclusion. The approach recognises the crosscutting nature of the issues and elements involved. The committee will continue in its work as the elements of the strategy are being put in place. The national disability strategy was launched by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on 21 September...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the steering group for the national action plan against racism. I announced the membership of this group on 10 March 2005 and details can be found in the media centre,press release of 10 March 2005, of my Department's website at www.justice.ie. The membership of the steering group is as follows: Ms Lucy Gaffney, Chair, Mr. Niall Crowley, CEO of the...