Results 17,661-17,680 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The issues highlighted by the visiting committees to the various prisons and places of detention are being addressed through the prisons capital building programme. For example, at Limerick Prison, a new block with space for 100 prisoners has recently been opened and a new education and services building will commence construction in the next few months. I also recently announced that, I am...

Written Answers — Witness Security Programme: Witness Security Programme (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Following a judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Garda authorities instituted a review of the procedures of the witness security programme, which operates under the direct control and administration of the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that this review is ongoing. The review includes consideration of the relevant judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeal;...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to the recent Supreme Court decision of 17 May 2004 in the case of McK and D, which found that the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 has no application where the criminal activity in question has occurred outside the State. An amendment to ensure the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 can be applied to seize and confiscate assets, which are situated in this jurisdiction and...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda mountain bike unit was introduced on a pilot basis on 5 June 2001 in two districts — Tallaght and Raheny — within the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR. Following an evaluation of the pilot project the mountain bike unit was extended within the DMR and to the Galway and Limerick divisions in 2002. Additional bicycles were...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I have previously outlined to the House, I am still consulting the Garda authorities and the Office of the Attorney General to assist me in making a decision on the request for an inquiry into the murders in question. I will make a decision on the request as soon as all relevant advice is received and considered.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: In accordance with the recommendation of Mr. Justice Peter Cory, I secured Government approval in December last for the establishment of a public inquiry into the murders in 1989 of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Bob Buchanan. The Government further approved that the public inquiry will take the form of a tribunal of inquiry pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry...

Written Answers — Citizenship Rights: Citizenship Rights (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Chen case referred to by the Deputy is one in which the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice is of the opinion that Mrs. Chen, in availing herself of the treaty provisions that grant a right of residence to her daughter and by extension to herself, is circumventing the provisions of United Kingdom law which restrict the right of residence of nationals of non-member states. I...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Legal Aid Board does not process information relating to the length of waiting lists for free legal aid. However, it records the time the person longest on the waiting list has waited. The following table shows the length of time the person longest on the waiting list has waited as of April 2004 by law centre. The board operates a procedure whereby priority is accorded for certain...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Safety is an extremely important factor in the purchase of patrol cars for the Garda fleet. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the commissioner has directed that a working group should be set up under the chairmanship of a chief superintendent with the following terms of reference: ''Examine and make recommendations, taking into account cost factors and value for money, on the...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 5 May 2004 on this matter. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Citizenship Referendum: Citizenship Referendum (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is a matter for groups such as the Children's Rights Alliance to determine their own course of action with regard to the forthcoming referendum. I do not share its view that the referendum proposal, to give to the Oireachtas a power to determine in what circumstances a right to Irish citizenship will automatically arise from birth of a person in Ireland to non-national parents, is in any...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have met the SDLP about this matter and I have noted its proposal. I fully accept the need for the greatest possible level of co-operation between the relevant agencies in both jurisdictions. Section 5 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 sets out the functions of the bureau. This provides for co-operation with police forces and with tax and social security authorities outside the State....

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they have sought the advice of the law officers on the recent decision of Cork District Court on the provisions of section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, which deals with the evidence in regard to speeding. I am further informed that a determination of the number of cases likely to be affected cannot be made pending receipt of such advice....

Written Answers — UN Conventions: UN Conventions (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: In December, 2001, the General Assembly of the United Nations established an ad hoc committee to consider proposals for a UN convention to promote and protect the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities. The first meeting of the ad hoc committee took place in New York from 29 July to 9 August 2002 and was concerned mainly with procedural matters. At the second meeting in June 2003, it...

Written Answers — Citizenship Referendum: Citizenship Referendum (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on this issue last Tuesday, the claim that the national consultative committee on racism and interculturalism has made such a finding emanated from recent newspaper reports which, according to the NCCRI, are exaggerated. The Garda racial and intercultural office, which monitors racist incidents reported to Garda, informed me there has not been a sharp...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the continuous professional development programme of Garda personnel is a core activity of Garda training. Training and development programmes are delivered on an ongoing basis to enhance the competency of members in various specialties. These programmes are...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 2 on 5 May last, tabled by Deputy Jim O'Keeffe. I expect to seek Government approval to publish a Bill on judicial conduct and ethics in the current year. Heads of the Bill have not been approved by the Government.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the murder of the person concerned is still ongoing. On completion of the investigation, a file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Deputy will appreciate that the investigation of this matter is an operational matter for the Garda and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans to carry out an examination as suggested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The question concerned relates to the Chen case. The Chen baby is an Irish citizen and not a stateless child as the question suggests. The question of statelessness, therefore, does not arise nor will the citizenship of the child in question be affected by the Government's proposals. This case arose as a result of the referral of certain questions by the UK immigration appellate authority to...