Results 17,661-17,680 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: The Courts Service has developed proposals for a new purpose built criminal courts complex in Dublin. It would involve the transfer of all existing criminal business transacted in the District, Circuit and Central Criminal Courts from the Four Courts and associated buildings to one purpose built facility. It would address the shortcomings that exist such as insufficient courtrooms and...

Written Answers — Presidential Visit: Presidential Visit (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 66 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 38 for today.

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel. They have informed me that the number of recruits who have graduated from the Garda college since 6 June 2002 is 950. As many as 950 people have completedthe student-probationer education-training programme. The figure does not include those who have been attested to the force upon completion...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the report is at an advanced stage and will be finalised shortly. Allegations of serious wrongdoing by members of the Garda Síochána, such as those broadcast on the "Prime Time" programme, are of serious concern to me. Some of the cases featured on 8 January were previously reported and in the public domain. They have either been or may be...

Written Answers — Compensation Payments: Compensation Payments (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following tabular statement. As of 31 December 2003 there were approximately 750 civil actions taken against members of the force on hand. A detailed breakdown of them in the form of the number of allegations of assault, unlawful arrest and other breaches of citizens' rights is not readily available. A database introduced in 2002 for...

Written Answers — Garda Radio Communications: Garda Radio Communications (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the article. A pilot digital radio system was implemented in the north central division in Dublin and in the Garda traffic section in Dublin Castle. The pilot was a major project in its own right and was completed last year at a cost of almost €6 million. Taking into account information and experience gained from the pilot, the Garda have prepared and submitted to my...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 89 together. An Agreed Programme for Government outlines our commitment to complete consultations on disability legislation and to bring an amended Bill through the Oireachtas. The Government has facilitated extensive consultation nationally on disability legislation and gave disability groups an opportunity to present their proposals for a disability...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel. They have informed me that as at 26 May there were 85 gardaí and eight sergeants working as juvenile liaison officers in various divisions. In addition, the national juvenile office is comprised of one superintendent, two inspectors and two sergeants. In May 2002 the Children Act 2001 was...

Written Answers — Communications Technology: Communications Technology (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: Recently my Department gave its approval to the Garda authorities to prepare an information and communications technology strategy for the period 2004 to 2009, inclusive. I expect that receiving reports on crime incidents by e-mail or telephone will be within the scope of the strategy.

Written Answers — Immunity from Criminal Prosecution: Immunity from Criminal Prosecution (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The immunity Members enjoy, while in the precincts of either House is guaranteed by Article 15.13 of the Constitution. The issue of changing it by legislation does not arise.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The interagency working group established to examine the expansion of the Garda central vetting unit's services, including to the groups identified by the Deputy, recently submitted its report. It will receive full and careful consideration with a view to early implementation, as appropriate.

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

Michael McDowell: At present the Garda authorities are tendering for the acquisition of equipment to refurbish the gymnasium.

Written Answers — Defamation Law. : Defamation Law. (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The present law on contempt of court is largely judge made. It consists of decisions that give effect to a general principle that the courts have an inherent jurisdiction not dependent on any statute to ensure that the administration of justice is not obstructed and that court orders are obeyed. It draws a distinction between criminal contempt and civil contempt. The former comprises contempt...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel. They have informed me that the personnel strength in the Dublin Metropolitan Region as at 28 May was 3,561 for all ranks and excluded members assigned to the traffic division and the area office. The three Garda divisions adjacent to the DMR are Louth-Meath, Carlow-Kildare and Wexford-Wicklow....

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 346 together. The stated position of the Government is that those convicted of the killing of the person in question will serve in full the sentences imposed on them by the courts and that there will be no possibility of their early release. In the event of a definitive ending of the Northern conflict, including an end to all forms of paramilitarism by...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the Irish Prison Service and the Irish Medical Organisation are engaged in separate contacts with the Labour Relations Commission about the possibility of convening further conciliation talks in an effort to resolve the matters in dispute. I have asked the director general of the Irish Prison Service to keep me briefed on the progress of these contacts. My overriding...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 85 together. As I remarked in my reply to Deputy Ó Snodaigh's priority question, the Irish Human Rights Commission produced a 32-page document of observations on which it would not be possible in the limited time available for parliamentary questions for me to give a detailed response. I propose instead to concentrate here on the principal points made...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my recent reply to Question No. 30 of 5 May 2004 on this matter. The position remains unchanged. As regards the issue of the availability of firearms, the Deputy will be aware that the holding of a firearm is strictly governed by the provisions of the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 2000. The Garda Síochána take all appropriate action to ensure that illegally held firearms are...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 67 of 5 May 2004 in which I indicated that I am considering proposals for a new prison drugs policy and examining whether it would be effective in ridding our prisons of drugs. It is my intention to publish the new policy in due course.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (1 Jun 2004)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in tabular format, a copy of which is being circulated to Deputies.