Results 15,921-15,940 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Since the Deputy has furnished only rudimentary personal details of the person in question, I am not in a position to advise if the person is entitled to Irish citizenship or meets the criteria for making an application for a certificate of naturalisation. Information on Irish citizenship and the necessary application forms may be obtained from my Department's website, www.justice.ie, or by...

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

Michael McDowell: The An Agreed Programme for Government commitment in regard to Garda numbers states: "We will complete the current expansion of the Garda Síochána and increase recruitment so that the numbers will increase by a further 2,000." When I became Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in June 2002, the strength of the Garda Síochána stood at 11,748. After June 2002, and despite the cap...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service — which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the courts — is independent in the performance of its functions. I am responsible for ensuring that the service is adequately funded and, in this regard, €96.7 million has been provided for 2005. Furthermore, I have given the go-ahead for the new Criminal Court complex — to be...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 781 and 783 together. As the Deputy will be aware, police operations are a matter for the Garda Síochána. In the context of regular Government business and bilateral contacts, policy issues concerning the tackling of organised crime are discussed with my ministerial colleagues. A number of multidisciplinary and interdepartmental structures are in place which...

Written Answers — Money Laundering: Money Laundering (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The purchase of properties by persons engaged in criminal conduct is a recognised money laundering technique. While Garda money laundering investigations have shown that the proceeds of serious crime have been used to acquire properties both in Ireland and other jurisdictions, I would add that the criminal law in this jurisdiction does not make it easy for criminals to launder money or invest...

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

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the communications structures currently existing between the Garda Síochána and police forces in other jurisdictions are adequate to meet the challenges posed by domestic and international organised crime. These structures include the i24/7 system, which is an IT-based method of electronically and securely transferring data between 182 Interpol...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Dublin metropolitan region as at 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2005 was as follows: Station 31/3/2002 31/3/2005 Pearse St 212 245 Harcourt Terrace 75 76 Kevin Street 109 115 Kilmainham 72 82 Donnybrook 111 122 Irishtown 53 54 Crumlin 86 87 Sundrive Rd 57 64 ...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Apr 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 each Garda station in County Kildare as at the 31 of March, 2002 and the 31 of March, 2005 was as follows: Station Strength (31/03/02) Naas 77 Clane 5 Kill 1 Celbridge 19 Maynooth 14 Kildare 29 Newbridge 29 ...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that generally, with the exception of the Garda national radio network and the public access callbox system, Garda communications and IT systems nationwide, including those in County Kildare, are relatively modern and up-to-date. The currency of these systems is reviewed on a yearly basis and, subject to the appropriate funding being available, are...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the total number of Garda vehicles assigned to the various Garda stations throughout County Kildare is as set out in the following table: Station Cars Vans Bikes 4x4's Vehicles Leixlip 2 0 0 0 2 Athy 2 0 0 0 2 Celbridge 2 0 0 0 2 Clane 1 0 0...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 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 Carlow-Kildare division as at the 11 of April, 2005 was 324, all ranks. The number of hours each Garda station in County Kildare are open during a 24-hour period is as set out as follows: Station Hours Naas 24 hours ...

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

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy when the information is to hand.

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

Michael McDowell: The site selection process was undertaken by a committee which included the Irish Prison Service, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Office of Public Works and a commercial property expert. The minutes of the committee's deliberations have been published. I am satisfied that proper procedures were followed and I reject any suggestion to the contrary.

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that Dunlavin Garda station forms part of the Baltinglass area. The personnel strength of Dunlavin Garda station as at today, 12 April 2005, is one garda. The personnel strength of the Baltinglass district as today is 54, all ranks. I am further informed that...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Apr 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 Carnew Garda station as at today, 12 April, 2005 is one garda. In addition, I am informed that local Garda management has allocated an additional garda to Carnew Garda station on a temporary basis since 3 January, 2005. Policing at...

Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: On behalf of the Progressive Democrats, I wish to join with the Taoiseach in his tribute to Pope John Paul II. I want to reflect for one moment on the breadth of his vision and his personal experience. As a young man, his mother died and he was left in the guardianship of his father and was dedicated to Our Lady in a particular personal way. He became a loyal son of the church in Poland at a...

Security Industry. (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the robberies referred to by the Deputies are the subject of ongoing investigations. I understand the Garda authorities have set up an incident room at Santry Garda station to investigate the two robberies of security vans in Dublin during the month of March and an extensive investigation is under...

Security Industry. (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will deal first with the Deputy's final point regarding escorts. The Garda provides a considerable number of non-military escorts in any given week. More than 600 movements of cash are escorted by gardaí so it is not the case that one must see a jeep and Garda cars travelling beside a vehicle to conclude that an escort is in operation. Many cash transits are escorted with little public...

Security Industry. (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will conclude to allow the Deputy to speak. I wanted to get across the message that the industry has had a forum in place for some time and that, from what I gather——

Security Industry. (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am not only moving now. As I told the Deputy, but he did not listen, a forum was convened by the Garda in 2004. I told him exactly what happened, including the failures. He knows full well what happened last month when I called in representatives of the industry. It is not a matter of me only acting now. Operation Delivery has been in operation and has had success since June 2004.