Results 5,221-5,240 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of the person in question was submitted to the Citizenship Section of my Department on 20 May 2004. Officials in the Citizenship Section inform me that processing of this application has commenced and that the case file will be presented to me for my decision in the near future. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. ...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can confirm that I have received representations on the matter referred to by the Deputy. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a murder investigation was conducted by An Garda Síochána into the suspicious death of the person referred to in 1993. However, no person has been made amenable for the death to date. I am further informed that the investigation of the death is...

Written Answers — Overseas Students: Overseas Students (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: One of the main principles of Ireland's immigration system is that persons coming to Ireland should not be an undue burden on the resources of the State. The established policy in relation to the attendance of overseas students in Irish primary and second level schools is that visas should only be granted to those who are attending fee paying schools, on the basis that to do otherwise...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. ...

Written Answers — Garda Retirement: Garda Retirement (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand that a review of the retirement age for existing Chief Superintendents and Superintendents has been undertaken by the Garda Commissioner. I have not yet received a report on the matter. The current position is that Section 4 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 provides that a person who is appointed as a new entrant to the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together. Ireland is one of 8 European countries that participates in a programme which resettles refugees on humanitarian grounds in co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 2005, I increased the quota from 10 cases (approximately 40 persons) per annum to 200 persons to be implemented on a phased basis over 3 years....

Written Answers — Palestinian Refugees: Palestinian Refugees (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: No request has been submitted to my Department to resettle Palestinian refugees in Iraq. I should explain to the Deputy, however, that under the resettlement programme, the UNHCR prepare an assessment of global resettlement needs and submit their priorities to an international group of resettlement countries of which Ireland is a member. As part of these priorities, and along with many...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that a programme entitled, 'The Strengthening Families Programme' is being piloted in Cork by an inter agency group which includes; the Probation Service, Arbour House Youth Drug and Alcohol Services, Homeless Services and Community based Drugs Task Force. However, I am advised that the community based project referred to by the Deputy is not involved in the...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The applicant instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 3 June 2005 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of him on 6 May 2005. These proceedings were determined on the 28 February 2006 and his leave application to apply for a Judicial Review was refused by the High Court. The person concerned also made an application for Subsidiary Protection under the European Communities...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The UK Act to which the Deputy refers provides a framework by which certain criminal records may be expunged. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a person convicted of all but the most serious criminal offences and who receives a sentence less than 30 months in prison (including suspended), benefits from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, if they are not convicted again during a...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Garda Authorities that there have been 31 proceedings commenced and five convictions recorded for offences under the Explosives Act 1875 and the Criminal Justice Act 2006 relating to fireworks for the period 2000 to 2006 inclusive. Of those persons convicted, two were sentenced to imprisonment, one received a community service order and two were fined. Conscious of the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my letter to him dated 6 March 2007, which issued in response to his original question on this matter (Question No. 337 of 31 January 2007 — ref. 1925/07). The information sought by the Deputy is contained therein.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have already indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 121 on 8 February 2007 that Missing in Ireland Support Services (MISS) have made a grant application to the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime in 2007. The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime is an independent body and considers each application on its own merits. The Commission is currently...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned currently has permission to remain in the State until 4 August 2007 as a dependant of her Irish partner. Prior to the expiry of this permission to remain it is open to her to seek to extend this permission to remain at her local immigration office. She should be in a position to provide details of her future intentions in the State and supply supporting documentation.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: In response to Question No. 251 on 17 October 2006, I informed the Deputy that applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons concerned were received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 11 July, 2006. On examination of the applications, a determination was made that the applicants did not meet the statutory conditions relating to reckonable residency. The Deputy...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I will examine the matter before Committee Stage and discuss it with the Deputy. I will mention some Committee Stage amendments that I will be proposing. I have already spoken on the proposals in respect of statements taken by electronic means. There will be amendments of a technical nature clarifying further some of the Bill's provisions on the destruction of fingerprints and similar...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: That proves my point.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: This is the second time the debate has been interrupted by someone who wants to prevent the debate being replied to during a closing speech or an attempt to make one. Regarding the course of the debate, it was striking that when Deputy McHugh, an Independent, spoke, he pointed out that three parties had no Deputies present, namely, the Green Party, Labour and Fine Gael. It was also striking...