Results 7,821-7,840 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2006: Committee Stage (9 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: These amendments extend the list of provisions to be repealed in the Second Schedule and provide for the correction of some citations. Amendment No. 52 provides for the repeal of section 72(1)(j) of the Registration of Title Act 1964 and the effect of that repeal, which is a necessary consequence of the over-reaching provisions in section 21, is that the rights of persons in actual...

Written Answers — Gambling Casinos: Gambling Casinos (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 129 together. As the Deputy is already aware, in August this year the Government agreed to my proposals for the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Committee (the Casino Regulation Committee), on which my Department is represented, to report on the possibilities for a legislative basis for the strict regulation of casino-style operations within the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 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 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: In January, 2005 I announced a scheme whereby the non-national parents of children born in Ireland before 1 January 2005 could apply for leave to remain in the State based on their parentage of those children. This so-called IBC/05 Scheme and its terms and conditions were widely advertised and its closing date was 31 March, 2005. Generally, leave to remain was granted for a two year period...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Nationals of Bulgaria, as and from 1 January, 2007, will have the same rights as other EU citizens except that, arising from the Government's recent decision, nationals of Bulgaria (and Romania) may not take up employment in the State except in accordance with an Employment Permit or where they are otherwise exempt. They may enter Ireland on production of their passport and/or national...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a full disciplinary inquiry in conjunction with a criminal investigation is currently under way by a Chief Superintendent from outside the Division. As this inquiry is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on the matter at this time.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Scheme of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, which I published recently, makes provision for a new and integrated framework for the effective management of migration to the State. An integral part of that framework will be the ability to make and publish statements of the Government's immigration policy in relation to any aspect of immigration including, where necessary,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: In view of the nature of the question and in order to supply the details requested by the Deputy it is necessary for the Garda authorities to make enquires in each Garda Division. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that with monies provided by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs through the Government's Local Drug Task Force initiative fund, the Blanchardstown Local Drug Task Force has this year been running a pilot drug supply reduction campaign in the Dublin 15 area entitled "Dial to stop drug dealing". This campaign has involved the Task Force, with the support of An...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware the information to respond was not available at the time. However, I have now been informed by the Garda authorities that the expenditure to 1 November 2006, excluding basic salaries, of providing a Garda presence at Ballinaboy Shell Refinery is €740,755. However, not all the expense claims for that period have been lodged and processed. I have also been informed by...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned attended at their local Immigration Office in late 2004 when they were advised to return with evidence of payment for a college course and evidence of finances. I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy failed to return with the documentation requested. It is the case that as she did not produce the requested...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 9 September, 2003, and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 30 September, 2005,...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 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 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. 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 (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 27th September 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Forty people were invited to commence training for the Garda Reserve in the Garda College at Templemore on 30 September 2006. Of that forty, three were unavailable, for personal reasons, to commence on that date. The remaining 37 trainees commenced phase one training in Templemore on 30 September 2006. They are currently in phase two of their training and are expected to complete their...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Garda Youth Diversion Projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved or further involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also...

Written Answers — Illegal Fireworks: Illegal Fireworks (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that under Operation Tombola, the annual Garda operation aimed at combatting the illegal sale and use of fireworks, there have been 64 seizures of fireworks up to end October 2006 with an estimated value of €113,511. The following table details the approximate value of unlicensed fireworks seized since 2002. Year Estimated Value € 2006 113,511...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and could only be obtained by the application of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.

Written Answers — Garda Website: Garda Website (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Website is currently being redeveloped. While the content of the local pages was suspended approximately two months ago, all other sections of the website are fully operational. It is expected that a new look Garda website will be fully operational within a six month time frame.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 10 June 2005. I understand that processing of the application of the person in question has commenced and that the case file will be forwarded to me for a decision in due course. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned...