Results 5,361-5,380 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am prepared to be reasonable on the matter. The Government's attitude is one of reasonableness. Let us be clear that there is no sweeping of this under the carpet. If this is referred to a committee, every Member of this House is entitled to attend and discuss it at length.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not too important for every Member, if they are interested in the matter, to attend the meeting and express their point of view. If that committee comes up with a radical difference of opinion, which deserves further debate in this House, we can decide it in that context. However, let us first ascertain where people stand on the issue. I agree with Deputy Quinn that our opposition...

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not a debating issue, it is a profound issue that the Labour Party does not share with its proposed allies.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Any coherent——

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not a red herring. The two parties are radically divided on this as on many other issues.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: They do not have a common position and they are codding the people that they could form an alternative government.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The two parties do not agree on these issues.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Let us send it to the——

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Let us send the issue to the committee——

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Keep coming.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Let us send the issue to the committee and let us see how badly divided Fine Gael and Labour are on the issue.

Written Answers — Equality Issues: Equality Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 prohibit discrimination, on nine named grounds including that of disability, in the provision of and access to goods and services. The definition of services in this context is broad and would include banking, insurance, grants and credit facilities as well as access to public places, facilities for refreshment, entertainment, transport and travel services....

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is actively policed by Gardaí from Irishtown sub-District. There are regular foot and mobile patrols carried out by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible presence in the area. These patrols are supplemented by the District Detective and Drugs Units, the Community Policing Unit,...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (21 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 — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of the 27th February 2007, the person concerned must contact the Immigration Division of my Department. To date the Immigration Division has no record of having received any correspondence from the person referred to by the Deputy. If and when the documentation is received, the application will be processed.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ No. 201 which refers to same and which was answered 20 March, 2007. The position remains the same. The person concerned, a Nigerian national, arrived in the State on 28 April, 2003 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of the case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 12 February, 2004...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 13th March 2007. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on 16th March 2007.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that the person concerned has recently been granted permission to remain in the State and that the passport has been returned.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (21 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation is the specialist unit within An Garda Síochána with national responsibility for the investigation of fraud-related crime. The Bureau has carried out a number of investigations in relation to complaints made by insurance companies over the years. These investigations have resulted in a number of successful prosecutions. I am informed by the Garda...