Results 7,941-7,960 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 205 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 262 of 3 October, 2006 in which I indicated that I was aware of reports which suggest that prisoners are attempting criminal activities from inside prison cells. I want to reiterate that I am committed to implementing all appropriate measures to prevent the possibility of such activity and to...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I stated when welcoming the publication of the Barr Report in July, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, I chose to forward a copy of the Report to the Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate so that Garda procedures and practices for dealing with incidents of the type which unfolded at Abbeylara might be reviewed. I understand from the Garda Inspectorate...

Written Answers — International Conferences: International Conferences (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The International Remote Gambling Summit was held in Ascot on Tuesday 31 October 2006. I attended at the invitation of the host, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell, MP. The proceedings were chaired by the Rt. Hon. Richard Caborn, Minister of State for Sport. In excess of thirty States participated in the Summit. The main purpose of the Summit was...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government decided not to participate in the adoption and application of the proposed Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No. 2201/2003 (Brussels II bis) as regards jurisdiction and introducing rules concerning applicable law in matrimonial matters (COM2006 399), published on 17 July 2006. The EU Commission published the proposed Council Regulation following its Green paper on...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation was conducted by An Garda Síochána into the incident referred to which concluded that no crime of forgery had been committed in this jurisdiction. The matter was reviewed in 1997 and 2003 when the investigation file was submitted to the Law Officers, who directed no...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: My response to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 27 September 2006 set out the position in relation to the person in question. This remains the position.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be compiled in the time available for answering Parliamentary Questions. However, I am arranging to have the information compiled and will write to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and could not be compiled in the time available for answering Parliamentary Questions. However, I am arranging to have the information compiled and will write to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As an Irish visa merely allows the holder to travel to the frontiers of the State, I presume the Deputy is referring to circumstances where a non-national has residency in the State. Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 provides for the removal, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, of persons for a range of specified circumstances.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 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 (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The average processing time for applications for certificates of naturalisation is approximately 24 months and this is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications received in the last number of years. The table below shows the number of applications received in the years 2000 to date. These figures illustrate a significant upward trend. With over 5,500...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 85 of today's date. While not all of the information sought by the Deputy is readily available in the manner sought, or could not be made available without the disproportionate expenditure of Garda resources, the table below sets out the number of robbery offences recorded, detected, proceedings commenced and convictions for the years...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 173, inclusive, together. The provision of services to the Thornton Hall site to service the prison development has been the subject of detailed discussions between the relevant officials at Fingal County Council and the Prison Service and its technical advisors. Discussions have also been held with the various utilities including the Electricity...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that interviews for the position of Crime Prevention Officer in respect of the Louth/Meath Garda Division have taken place and the appointment will be made shortly. It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 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 — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made a Family Reunification application in July 2005. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order. This application...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to his Dáil Question No. 169 of Thursday 9 March 2006. The status of the persons concerned remains as set out in that reply.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State and claimed asylum on 10 November, 2000. He failed to attend at interview with the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and a recommendation that he should not be declared a refugee was made on 18 April, 2002. Consequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed on 31 October, 2002 that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that in my Department the following buildings are currently not in use: 1. Prison Service Buildings. Fort Mitchel Prison, Spike Island; and Curragh Prison, Co Kildare. 2. Probation Service Buildings Roxborough House, Limerick; Thomastown, Co Kilkenny; Lionsvilla, Chapelizod, Dublin; and Clonakilty, Co Cork. Appropriate security arrangements, designed to protect State...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (7 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the cases before the Equality Tribunal. The Equality Tribunal is the impartial forum to hear or mediate complaints of alleged discrimination under equality legislation. It is independent and quasi-judicial and its decisions and mediated settlements are legally binding. The equality legislation prohibits discrimination on 9 grounds — gender, marital...