Results 16,841-16,860 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 29 April 2002, the Irish and British Governments entered into an intergovernmental agreement on police co-operation which provides for, inter alia: personnel secondments and exchanges; annual conference and liaison mechanisms; co-operation in the area of training; and joint disaster planning between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Effect has been given to...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Decisions regarding the retention, withholding and release for public inspection of 30 year old records are made pursuant to the provisions of the National Archives Act 1986. Responsibility for such decision-making rests with certifying officers at principal officer grade who apply their judgment in the application of primary legislation to particular instances. In the case of withheld...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the contemporary historical record already details the activities, actual and alleged, of the person in question. The release of any records held in this respect by public bodies, including by my Department and the Garda Síochána, is governed by the provisions of the National Archives Act 1986. According to those provisions, it is a matter for designated...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement: Name of Consultancy/Work Group/Specialist Group Date established Expected date of report Helm Co-operation — re the establishment of a risk register in the Department December 2004 Mid 2005 Goodbody Economic Consultants — re evaluation of the European Refugee Fund 16...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (2 Feb 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 has been consulted regarding a drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service. The policy will have regard to the commitment in the programme for Government to end all heroin use in Irish prisons and my commitment to...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can confirm that an arrest took place recently regarding an attempt to smuggle a significant quantity of contraband, including what appeared to be several illicit substances, into Cork Prison. As this matter is currently the subject of a criminal investigation, I am sure that the Deputy can appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter, except to say...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is extremely difficult to quantify the precise level of illegal drugs supplied or consumed by prisoners while in custody, particularly given the extremely covert nature of illicit drug supply and use in a custodial setting. However, an independent study by the Health Research Board, Drug Use Among Prisoners: An Exploratory Study, which was published in 2001, found that, "Once imprisoned,...

Written Answers — Censorship of Films Appeal Board: Censorship of Films Appeal Board (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the details of the membership of the Censorship of Films Appeal Board is as follows: Chairman — Mr. Paul O'Higgins SC; and eight ordinary members — Ms Ann Walsh, Ms Cathy Herbert, Ms Sarah Moorhead, Mr. Kevin Myers, Ms Ann Mooney, Fr. Damien McNiece, Rev. Canon David Pierpoint and Ms Nicola Byrne. The terms of appointment of the members are in accordance with...

Written Answers — Film Censorship Laws: Film Censorship Laws (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can confirm to the Deputy that I am considering a review of the law in relation to this matter. Any such review will include the situation mentioned by the Deputy. Any proposals for changes to the legislation which might result from such a review would be brought before the Government and announced in the usual manner.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to provide an extension to Carndonagh Garda station and a sketch scheme of the proposed works is currently being considered by the Garda authorities. When the Garda authorities have signed off on the scheme, the Office of Public Works will be requested to progress the works to conclusion.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to distinguish between prosecutions for speeding, and other safety related offences, in respect of heavy good vehicles and other vehicles. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the information could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of prosecutions for defective headlights over the past three years is as set out in the following table. Year Number of Prosecutions taken 2002 266 2003 245 2004 212 The declining trend in prosecutions in indicative of a greater awareness of motorists in ensuring headlights are in proper working order. This has been brought...

Written Answers — Garda Education: Garda Education (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of members of the Garda Síochána who have received funding in order to pursue a degree in management or law over the past three years is as set out hereunder: Rank 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 Chief Superintendent 0 0 2 Superintendent 3 6 6 Inspector 9 11 6 Sergeants 15 16 19 Gardaí 48 43 42...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the Government legislation programme, which was published on 25 January last, makes provision for the publication of an Intoxicating Liquor Bill later this year. It will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 together with related licensing provisions in other statutes — about 100 statutes in total — and replace them with updated provisions geared to modern...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume that, in referring to the town centre, the Deputy is referring to Blanchardstown shopping centre. I can inform the Deputy that the old AIB premises at Main Street, Blanchardstown, was acquired by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Probation and Welfare Service on 15 April 2002. The intention was to renovate and extend these premises, using one portion as a local office and...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: A sentenced prisoner certified to be insane by two doctors may, pursuant to section 12 of the Central Criminal Lunatic Asylum (Ireland) Act 1845, be removed, on foot of a ministerial order, to the Central Mental Hospital. The person may then be held there for treatment until two doctors certify that the person concerned is no longer insane whereupon that person, on foot of a further...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware this station is one of eight Garda stations in counties Limerick and Tipperary which was selected by the Office of Public Works, following consultation with my Department and the Garda authorities, for inclusion in the pilot equity exchange programme which was publicised by that office last year. In that regard, I understand from the Office of Public Works that the...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that an application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 was submitted by the group to my Department some time ago. The EOCP is a seven year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and training. The level of demand for capital...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that an application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 was submitted by the group to my Department in August 2004. The EOCP is a seven year development programme which aims to increase the availability and quality of child care to support parents in employment, education and training. The level of demand for capital...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 14 January 2005, I announced details of revised arrangements for the processing of claims for permission to remain from the non-national parents of Irish born children who were born before 1 January 2005. All persons granted residency under this scheme will be permitted to seek employment immediately regardless of prior status and length of time spent in the State. The question of...