Results 7,121-7,140 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Gaming Legislation: Gaming Legislation (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: In the event that betting shops introduce new gaming technologies to their premises, it is likely that, without any legislative change, there may be offences under betting legislation and gaming legislation. In such circumstances, the Deputy can be confident that the matter will be investigated by the Gardaí.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a total of twenty incidents of criminal damage were reported in respect of the district in question on the dates mentioned. Fourteen of these incidents arose over a period of time on the 19 November, 2006 and refer to damage to vehicles. Two suspects were arrested in relation to these fourteen incidents and were released without charge, pending...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by An Garda Síochána that the details of the activities of the Criminal Assets Bureau since its establishment in 1996 are contained in the Annual Reports of the Criminal Assets Bureau. These reports are quite comprehensive and include details of the number of cases commenced, money frozen under the Proceeds of Crime Act and details of money collected by the Bureau under the...

Written Answers — Public Service Vehicle Licences: Public Service Vehicle Licences (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the general timeframe for inspections of large PSV vehicles is between 4 to 6 weeks from the time of receipt of application. Delays in Waterford County only arise if certain matters require further attention as a result of the initial inspection. I am also informed that once the inspection has been completed and matters are in order the licence is...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that the application for residence in respect of the person concerned has been approved and that the passports have been returned.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Immigration Division of my Department has recently been in contact with the legal representative of the person concerned informing them of the decision regarding his application for permission to remain in the State.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Dublin Visa Office on 1 December, 2006. A decision in respect of the applications in question will be made in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no current visa application for the said person with my Department. The person in question was refused a holiday visa by my Department on 22 July 2004. No appeal of this decision was received. The period allowed to make an appeal is now passed. If the person concerned still wishes to travel to Ireland a fresh application for a visa must be lodged.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of Thursday, 11 May, 2006 (ref: 17811/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Information on revenue accruing on foot of payments from fixed charge notices and parking fees is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. I have no responsibility in relation to revenue accruing from clamping carried out by or on behalf of local authorities. I can inform the Deputy that €15.258 million...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: In accordance with section 47 of the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, the retirement age for judges of the High and Supreme Courts is 70 years if appointed on or after 15 December, 1995 and 72 years if appointed before 15 December, 1995. Judges of the Circuit Court retire at 70 years, in accordance with section 18 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961. Retirement age is set...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The figures for headline offences recorded for each Garda Division are available in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics on the number of missing children in the care of the Health Service Executive are not readily available. However, analysis carried out at the Garda Missing Persons Bureau earlier this year indicated that 372 children in care were reported missing on 3,715 occasions between October...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: A Detective Superintendent from outside the relevant Garda Division was appointed immediately after the incident to carry out a detailed investigation into all the circumstances surrounding the person in question's arrest, detention and removal to hospital. The Garda authorities submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions on the matter and furnished a copy to me also. The Director...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Section 16 of the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992, as amended, makes provision for the video recording of any evidence given, in relation to a sexual offence or an act involving violence, by a person under 17 years of age through a live television link in proceedings relating to indictable offences. The relevant subsection — (1)(a) — was commenced in 1993. It will be noted that this...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The current analogue system is in accordance with recommendations contained in the third report of the Steering Committee on Audio and Audio/Video Recording of Garda Questioning of Detained Persons. Garda authorities inform me that consequently, there is no proposal at present to purchase digital equipment for the recording of Garda interviews. With regard to future and additional...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources, that the Garda Síochána provide security at various locations including embassies, consulates and buildings occupied by foreign diplomatic missions based on an assessment of the threat levels involved. I am further...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together. The Criminal Law (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Act 2006, which has been approved by Government and is at present being drafted, contains several amendments to the Sex Offenders Act 2001. I am now examining further amendments to the Act, in particular to harmonise our laws more closely with those in our...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Sex Offenders Act, 2001 which commenced on 27 September 2001 sets out the notification obligations on persons convicted of a range of sexual offences against both children and adults. A convicted sex offender must notify his/her name(s), date of birth and current home address to the Garda Síochána within seven days of the conviction for the sexual offence concerned or, where the...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 27 November I signed a Memorandum of Understanding on information sharing arrangements between Ireland and the UK relating to sex offenders. The MOU was negotiated between my Department and the Home Office, with input from the Northern Ireland Office. It relates to information about persons travelling between Ireland and the UK and who are subject to sex offender notification requirements...