Results 6,681-6,700 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below: Grade Remuneration Principal Officer €80,408–€99,457 Administrative Officer €31,141–€55,147 Executive Officer €30,027–€47,641 Clerical Officer €21,625–€35,071

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the original incident, which is the subject of a complaint by the person referred to, is currently being examined by the Garda authorities. It would therefore in the circumstances be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda Authorities that Personal Ballistic/anti-stab vests have been acquired for all Detective and uniform members. These are currently being issued to Detective Gardaí and then will be issued to all uniform members. I will revert to the Deputy when the precise information on the number of vests issued is to hand from the Garda Authorities.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of Wednesday, 27 September 2006 (ref: 28644/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Commissioner has appointed an Assistant Commissioner to assess the impact of the recommendations of the Report for An Garda Síochána, with a view to recommending remedial action where necessary. This review is at an advance stage.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Nigerian national arrived in the State on 4 January, 1999 and applied for asylum. His claim for refugee status was considered under the process then applicable and was refused by the Asylum Division of my Department. He was notified of the decision on 28 January, 2000. He appealed this decision to the appropriate body at the time, the Appeals Authority, which...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Services: Garda Vetting Services (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána does not provide 'clearance letters' to any Irish citizen. Police certificates are issued, free of charge, to individual applicants by the Garda Superintendent of the Garda District where the applicant resides for the following purposes: requests from non-national consular authorities; applications for non-national visas; and establishing a business in another European...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a report from the Garda Commissioner in the matter and I will be in contact with the Deputy when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a report from the Garda Commissioner in the matter and I will be in contact with the Deputy when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled by the Garda authorities and I will communicate with him as soon as the information comes to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: 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 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: On 18 January 2007, Tetra Ireland Limited was selected by the Department of Finance as the preferred bidder for the provision of the National Digital Radio Services. This is a key milestone in the plan to provide a secure digital radio service for emergency services, including An Garda Síochána and other non-commercial public bodies. The preferred bidder will now work with the relevant...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Deel was a pro-active crime prevention initiative put in place by senior Garda management in a number of adjoining Garda districts along the North Cork/West Limerick border. The Operation, which involved additional patrols and checkpoints by uniformed and plain-clothes personnel, was carried out in April and May 2005 and again in November...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation into this matter is ongoing and that enquiries with the Colombian authorities are continuing. I am further informed that when these are completed, the Garda Síochána will further consider referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 344 and 345 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of persons were arrested and a significant sum of money was recovered as part of a Garda operation in February 2005. In this regard, an extensive Garda investigation was conducted, which included enquiries in Northern Ireland. I am further informed that the Garda Síochána has...

Written Answers — Unlawful Organisations: Unlawful Organisations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 346 and 347 together. Pursuant to the Unlawful Organisation (Suppression) Order 1939, the organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (also the IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann) is an unlawful organisation. The so-called Provisional IRA continues to exist but has been on ceasefire since 1997 and is not currently involved in terrorist or criminal...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, initiated a pilot project aimed at combating incidents of graffiti in Dublin City, Galway City and Bray, Co. Wicklow. Fingal County Council was not included in the pilot project. This project is separate from, and additional to,...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 11th December, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 2nd January, 2007. The Visa Officer who examined the application was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation submitted, as to the relevance of the English course to the applicant's employment. The financial...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2006 provides the legal basis for the operation of authorised checkpoints by Gardaí for the mandatory alcohol testing of drivers, without individual suspicion that the driver has consumed alcohol. The legislation provides that a member of An Garda Síochána, not below the rank of Inspector, may authorise the establishment of checkpoints under the section,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that persons who fail mandatory alcohol tests (MAT) do not receive fixed charge notices and therefore payment of fines at that stage does not arise. Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006 a person stopped at a MAT checkpoint is required to provide a preliminary breath test. A person who fails or refuses to comply with a MAT may be prosecuted and...