Results 7,461-7,480 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Neighbourhood Watch was established in 1985 as a crime prevention measure for urban areas. There are approximately 2,600 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in operation throughout the country. Since its establishment, the Garda authorities have sought to encourage the active participation of the public in Neighbourhood Watch by encouraging and supporting communities to establish and maintain such...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Operation Anvil commenced in the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) on 17 May, 2005. It is an intelligence led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static check points by uniform, mobile and foot...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Dublin Visa Office on 23 October 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the applications was taken on 15 November 2006. It is open to the applicants to appeal the decision. Comprehensive guidelines on making an appeal can be found on my Department's website (www.justice.ie). All appeals must be submitted within two...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question is a non-EU national and therefore requires the permission of the Minister to remain in the State as stated in Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004. It should be noted that there is no automatic entitlement to residency in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national. However, I do consider applications which are made in writing to the Irish Naturalisation...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have always made clear that I am open to examining any viable site offered for the proposed new Cork Prison. In that context, I can confirm that my Department and the Irish Prison Service are currently exploring,on a without prejudice basis, the option of an alternative site at Kilworth.

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Visitors found passing contraband are generally banned from visiting our prisons, either indefinitely, or for a specified period of time. The visit is immediately terminated and the visitor removed from the area. Gardaí may be called with a view to prosecuting the persons concerned. In such instances, retrieved substances are handed over to Gardaí and any resulting sanctions are a matter...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The authority to impose punishments for breaches of prison discipline, such as the possession of illegal drugs, is covered by Rule 69 (1) of the Rules for Government of Prisons, 1947. This rule allows Prison Governors to order a prisoner's punishment by any one or more of the following: (1) Close confinement for any period not exceeding three days (2) Forfeiture of remission of sentence for...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for long term residence from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on the 14 August 2006. 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...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Legislation creating an offence of trafficking in persons for the specific purpose of sexual or labour exploitation is contained in the draft Criminal Justice (Trafficking in Persons and Sexual Offences) Bill which has been approved by Government and is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. This Bill will comply with the EU Framework Decision on combating...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 created an offence of trafficking persons under 17 years of age into, through or out of the State for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The maximum sentence on conviction is life imprisonment. Under the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000, it is an offence to organise or knowingly facilitate the entry into Ireland of a person who is...

Written Answers — Joyriding Offences: Joyriding Offences (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí from Kill O'Grange Garda station with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. These patrols are backed up by Divisional Garda Units, including the Traffic Corps, Mountain Bike Unit, Drug Task Force and the District and Divisional...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all criminal incidents reported to them are recorded. Incidents may be recorded on the crime recording system PULSE on the basis of the criminal offence they disclose, which may range from homicide to minor assault, whether related to domestic violence or otherwise. I understand that instructions relating to the recording of incidents involving...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned submitted a permanent residence application on FORM EU 3. Form EU 3 clearly states ''This form is to be completed by each family member of a European Union citizen who is not a national of a member State and who has been resident in the State for more than five years.'' These applications are considered under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: This is a matter for my Colleague the Minister for Health and Children, who, I understand will be replying to the Deputy's query today.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Citizenship on the basis of marriage to an Irish citizen, until recently, could be acquired in one of two ways. Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (INCA) provided that spouses of Irish citizens, who were citizens other than by naturalisation could claim citizenship as of right once they had been married for three years by making a declaration of post-nuptial...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (23 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy at the outset that the person concerned was not deported from the State but rather refused leave to land. An immigration officer at any point of entry to the State has the power to refuse leave to land to a person seeking to enter the State pursuant to Section 4 (3) of the Immigration Act, 2004. I am informed that in this case, it appears that the immigration...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources. I should point out that it is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (23 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The juvenile Diversion Programme was introduced by the Children Act 2001 and is a package of measures for dealing with children under the age of 18 who commit an offence or offences. I am informed by the Garda authorities that incidents of juvenile crime recorded by the Garda Síochána are set out in the following table. The figures for 2004 and 2005 were prepared on the basis of Garda...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together. Under the Government Programme, one hundred and fourteen posts are scheduled to decentralise from sections in Garda Headquarters to Thurles by the end of 2008. The Garda Central Vetting Unit commenced its operations in Thurles in November 2005 involving the transfer from Dublin of thirty-one posts. Another advance move is planned for...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (23 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, intend to hold an Open Competition for the appointment of Recruit Prison Officers circa March 2007. In the interim, successful applicants from the competition advertised in February 2006 will continue to be appointed to fill vacancies as the need arises.