Results 7,601-7,620 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (21 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 — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Constitution requires that people who appear before our Courts in essentially the same circumstances should be dealt with in essentially the same manner. It follows that in the exercise of its judicial functions under various enactments, including those on family law, it is already the duty of the Courts to see that this principle of equality is observed. The Judicial Council Bill that...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to be able to advise the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board is currently providing legal services to all eligible persons within a maximum period of four months nationwide. In fact, at most of the Board's Law Centres the waiting time for an appointment for a solicitor was two months or less at the end of October 2006. The Deputy may also wish to note that the Board provides a...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that an appropriate training is delivered to Garda trainees on Phases I and III under the auspices of the Legal and Policing Section. I am further informed that this training covers matters relevant to Barring/ Protection/ Safety Orders, arrest powers, procedures...

Written Answers — Legal Services Ombudsman: Legal Services Ombudsman (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 that is before the House provides for the establishment of a Legal Services Ombudsman who will oversee the handling by the Law Society and Bar Council of three types of complaint against solicitors and barristers, namely inadequate services, excessive fees and misconduct. The key function will be to provide a form of appeal for clients of...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: No invitation to meet with me was extended to the person in question.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department has received no documentation to date from authorities in Ecuador on this matter.

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. As I have been advised that judicial review proceedings have...

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Ukrainian national, applied for asylum on 27 May, 2003. His application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 23 August, 2004. He did not appeal this decision. In accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was informed on 14 October, 2004 that the Minister was proposing to make a deportation order in...

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 23rd August, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the application was taken on 9th October, 2006. An appeal against the initial refusal decision was received on 17th November, 2006. Following a re-examination of the application, the decision to refuse was overturned. Accordingly, I am pleased to...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Law Society funds the operation of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Síochána are allowed to drive official vehicles in two circumstances: (a) where they hold at least a class B driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the Chief Superintendent; or (b) where they have completed an official driving course. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of...

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

Michael McDowell: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is being compiled by the Garda authorities and I will communicate with him shortly.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of 5 meetings have been held to date between officials of the Prison Service and officials of Fingal County Council. In addition to the above, however, consultants appointed by the Prison Service have held in excess of 15 meetings with officials of Fingal County Council in relation to the servicing of the Thornton Hall Site.

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Government Ministers pursuant to a long standing arrangement and that up to 30th September 2006 the make of car and the Kilometres covered by each Government Minister is as set out in the table hereunder: Name Make or Car Date allocated Kilometres Ahern B. Merc S320 01/03/2006 29,280...

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

Michael McDowell: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the issue referred to by the Deputy and I will communicate with him shortly.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: By way of background to the case I would refer the Deputy to the Replies I gave to Questions Nos. 582 and 599 on Tuesday 4 July 2006 and No. 613 of Thursday 6 July 2006. The current position with regard to the person in question and her three children is that the consent deportation orders issued in respect of them and which were signed by me on 9 June 2006 have expired and are no longer...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (21 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 — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The matters raised by the Deputy are appropriate to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social & Family Affairs.

Written Answers — Prison Services: Prison Services (21 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together. Section 37 of the Prisons Bill 2006 allows the Minister to provide for charges to be made to prisoners for goods or services that are not generally available to prisoners or are not available on an unlimited basis. This would include telephone calls, access to electronic devices, private medical treatment or escorts provided outside the...