Results 6,761-6,780 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the application was taken on September 5th, 2006. The Visa Officer who examined the application was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation submitted, that the applicant would adhere to the conditions of the visa. An appeal against the refusal decision was...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: St. Patrick's Institution have acquired the services, on a part time basis, of two physical education teachers. The teachers will provide four sessions per week. It is anticipated that each session will be attended by approximately eight offenders. This arrangement commenced on Monday, 22 January, 2007 and four sessions were held in the first week of operation.

Written Answers — Bail Laws: Bail Laws (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422, 464 and 465 together. The House will appreciate that the granting of bail is a matter for the courts and that the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is, of course, independent in the performance of his functions, is the State for the purposes of dealing with such applications. Moreover, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the circumstances...

Written Answers — Law Reform Commission: Law Reform Commission (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 2 February 2006. The position is as outlined therein.

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 — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: My Department has no record of a current visa application in respect of the person in question. An application was received from the individual concerned on 6th June, 2006. However, this application was refused on 3rd July, 2006. No appeal in respect of this decision was received. The period allowed to make an appeal has now passed. If the person concerned still wishes to travel to Ireland a...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 428, 431 and 432 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total cost of the policing operation at the Corrib gas project in Ballinaboy, Co. Mayo, from 3 October, 2006, to 25 January, 2007, is approximately €3.14 million, including all salary, overtime, temporary transfer and other related costs. I am further informed that the total...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 4th January, 2007. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 18th January, 2007. The application was refused because the Visa Officer was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant had demonstrated a sufficient obligation to return home...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No 387 of 27 September 2006 regarding this person's eligibility to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation. As I explained to the Deputy at that time, the person in question did not satisfy the statutory residency conditions, as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended. Consequently, he...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 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. An...

Written Answers — Remembrance Fund: Remembrance Fund (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Remembrance Fund is administered by the Remembrance Commission under the terms of the Scheme of Acknowledgement, Remembrance and Assistance to Victims in this Jurisdiction of the Conflict in Northern Ireland. In November the Government approved my proposal to extend the term of the Commission and the Remembrance Fund until 31 October, 2007. All applications for assistance are assessed in...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: As outlined in Parliamentary Question put down for answer on the 28th November 2006 (PQ no. 40422/06) 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...

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

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's question were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 28 March 2003 and I decided to refuse both of them. Upon examination of both files it was found that while the applicants had been granted refugee status in 2002 they did not fulfil the three years reckonable residency requirement...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The essential purpose of a criminal trial is to establish whether or not an accused is guilty of the offence charged. It is a fundamental principle of our legal system that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Alleged behaviour by the accused is at the nexus of a criminal trial and it is the accused who, if found guilty, will be liable to serious consequences in the form of...

Written Answers — Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais: Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Mar is eol don Teachta, luaitear i bhforálacha alt 71 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924: 'Sa mhéid gur féidir é agus gach ní a bhaineann leis an scéal d'áireamh, beidh ag an mBreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche, a ceapfar do Dhúthaigh ina bhfuil líomatáiste ina bhfuil an Ghaedhilg in úsáid ghenerálta, oiread eolais ar an nGaedhilg agus chuirfadh ar a chumas déanamh in...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is currently being researched and will be submitted at an early date. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Witness Protection Programme: Witness Protection Programme (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is established Garda policy not to disclose information relating to persons admitted to the Witness Security Programme, including quantitative data in this regard. This policy is based on the understanding that the utmost confidentiality is necessary to safeguard individuals and procedures.

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

Michael McDowell: The visa referred to by the Deputy was endorsed on the passport of the person in question on 17th November, 2006 valid until 16th February, 2007. This permits the individual concerned to travel to Ireland between those two dates only. The visa does not guarantee entry into the State. The Immigration Officer at the port of entry has the authority to grant or deny admission, and to decide on...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Government approved the drafting of the criminal law (trafficking in persons and sexual offences) Bill 2006 last July. It is at present being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill is criminal law legislation which will implement the criminal law aspects of EU, UN and Council of Europe instruments on trafficking by creating offences of recruiting, transporting,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 463 together. I recently announced my intention to ask the Government to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. I also stated that it is intended, as part of the new Immigration policy framework, to provide a clear policy statement setting out how these cases will be managed once it is established that...