Results 16,601-16,620 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Approximately 400 letters have been received in my Department from solicitors representing former and serving inmates in this State alleging that their clients' human rights have been violated due to the practice of slopping out. The majority of cases relate to inmates imprisoned in Cork, Limerick and Portlaoise Prisons. I have instructed the Irish Prison Service to contest these claims...

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: While I will obviously not discuss in detail the advice of the Attorney General on any matter, the State is contesting these cases vigorously. Perhaps the Deputy is aware that a decision was handed down by the High Court the other day which dismissed a claim. It did not receive much publicity. While I agree with the Deputy that independent observers are appalled by slopping out, as am I, the...

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is a view wholly different from that advocated constantly by Deputy Costello and people close to him.

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am taking every step which is reasonably open to me to end the practice of slopping out which I find offensive in this day and age. I intend to pursue the matter.

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Scottish case turned on its own facts and did not involve an ordinary prisoner who claimed the offence of slopping out entitled him to damages. There were special considerations relating to his medical state which justified the complaint in the case.

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is suggesting——

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not recall what the claimant received.

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer Deputies to the report of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. I am sure the information is available to them separately.

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Our prison system has traditionally operated on the basis of slopping out, which I regard as unacceptable. I reiterate that no Minister holding my office acted as decisively as I have to bring the practice to an end. I welcome support for ending it but regard it as slightly ironic that every step I have taken to do so has been criticised viciously by those who now huff and puff about their...

Prisoner Complaints Procedures. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is sad to see a Deputy who is doing his best to prevent the modernisation of the Irish Prison Service posing as someone who is worried about prisoners' rights.

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda code is a confidential publication which, as is stated in the code, "must be carefully preserved and its contents in whole, or in part, should not be disclosed to any unauthorised person". The most recent edition of the code was prepared in 1995. Members of the Garda Síochána, officials of my Department and officials in the offices of...

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: With respect, if asked to choose between the judgment of the Commissioner or the Deputy on this matter, I am inclined to accept the views of the former. I have never seen the Garda code and am not in a position to confirm or deny the statements made by Deputy Cuffe. He may well be right, but he may also be wrong. I do not know. I am told the last edition of the code was produced in 1995 and...

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that. Perhaps the difference in view between Deputy Jim O'Keeffe and me explains why so little was accomplished when his party was in office.

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: My predecessors in those days spent their time reading the Garda code instead of getting on with their jobs.

Garda Code. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will convey the views of the Deputy to the commissioner.

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Last December, I sought and received Government approval to establish an additional Special Criminal Court with seven members. My reasons for seeking the establishment of a second court are twofold. First, dissident republican groups continue to pose a serious, active threat to the State. I am determined to ensure that persons intent on challenging the legitimacy and authority of the State...

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that a number of years after the Good Friday Agreement was entered into, it is still not functioning properly. There are groups on this island still engaged in paramilitarism, not merely dissident republicans but also the provisional IRA. That organisation has proved in the past to be ruthless in its intimidation of people involved in the criminal process. I need only...

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am very grateful.

Courts Service. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: In its review, the majority of the Hederman committee stated the threat posed by paramilitaries or organised crime is sufficient to justify the retention of the Special Criminal Court. There is no advantage for me in organising a second Special Criminal Court. The Supreme Court stated in respect of people charged with serious offences that the fact they are likely to commit further serious...

Deportation Orders. (16 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: From January 2002 to the end of December 2004, 12 charter flights were engaged for the purpose of deportation of persons illegally residing in the State. A total of 341 persons were deported in this way at a total cost of €1,363,201. Details of these charter flights, that is, dates, destinations, numbers deported — broken down into adults and minors in so far as this information is...