Results 7,541-7,560 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 240 of Thursday, 25th May, 2006; 440 of Wednesday, 27th September, 2006; and 93 of Thursday 9th November, 2006, and the written replies to those Questions. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (22 Nov 2006)

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

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (22 Nov 2006)

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

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The arrangements for the payment of Gaeltacht allowances are among the issues being examined at present by an Interdepartmental Group on the use and promotion of the Irish language in An Garda Síochána. This Group was established following the Government decision of 7 September, 2005 which approved changes in the eligibility criteria for entry to An Garda Síochána, including the...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing road traffic legislation, and the Divisional Traffic Corps in Galway supplement local mobile units in this task. I am also informed that a system which focuses on collision prone zones was piloted in Galway West Division and has proved successful in encouraging a compliance culture by all...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has provided funding to the project, in question, since November, 1993. A grant of €180,000 was provided to the project in the current year. I can also inform the Deputy that the contracts for purchase of a site from Kildare County Council are executed, having been signed by a senior official of my Department in June, 2006. However, I am...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have written to the Deputy today providing the detailed information sought in Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 24 October 2006.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: We will put them on the register for Senator Quinn's panel.

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Second Stage (22 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Shamelessly canvassing.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda enforcement under road traffic legislation is not concentrated at perceived soft target areas but in a fair and balanced manner. The Garda IT system underpinning the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) rolled out nationally for speeding offences on 2 February 2006. The following tables set out the number of fixed charge notices issued for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that a site for the permanent decentralised offices for the Property Registration Authority's Roscommon office has been identified. The matter is now being progressed by the Office of Public Works and it is anticipated that the accommodation will be ready for occupation in 2009. The Property Registration Authority has carried out an advance move to...

Written Answers — Terrorist Threats: Terrorist Threats (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Aviation security arrangements at Irish airports are kept under continuous review by both the Department of Transport and the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC). The NCASC is chaired by the Department of Transport, and both my Department and the Garda Síochána are represented on it, together with a range of other key stakeholders. I understand that the Department of...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the E4 subhead of the Garda Síochána Vote covers expenditure on new Garda CCTV installations, the maintenance of existing Garda CCTV systems and the allocation of grant aid funding for the Community Based CCTV Scheme, which is being administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal. The Community Based CCTV Scheme, which I launched in June 2005,...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa applications in question were approved on 9th November, 2006.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 221 together. Funding of €110,000 in respect of a National Missing Persons Helpline, made available by my Department in 2002 and 2003, was channelled through the Victim Support organisation and was in addition to the ongoing funding that the organisation received for the provision of services to victims of crime. This funding of €110,000 was...

Written Answers — Family Reunification: Family Reunification (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application in question was approved on 17th November, 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to was investigated by the Garda Síochána in the area concerned in accordance with Garda operational procedures. I am further informed that a person who went voluntarily to the Garda Síochána was interviewed in relation to the incident and made a statement admitting the incident. An investigation file was submitted to the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Immigration Division of my Department has recently written to the legal representative of the person concerned informing them that residence has been approved in respect of their client.

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Peace Commissioners are appointed under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. The Office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary appointment and Peace Commissioners receive no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. An application for appointment may be submitted by a person who is interested in obtaining an appointment or a third party may submit a...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question is advised to submit a fresh visa application setting out the new travel dates. If necessary the current visa will be 'cancelled without prejudice' and a new visa issued. In exceptional circumstances the administration fee may be waived.