Results 8,061-8,080 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Bill is to be published this session.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: If the Opposition co-operates in the business of this House much could happen before the end of the year.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is proposed that the National Development Finance Agency Bill will be published this session.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: On a point of order, Deputy Bruton is being disorderly.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The heads of the legislation have been published and the consultation and drafting process is already under way. The Deputy will be aware that it is proposed under the legislation as published that there should be a power for the State to exclude on a summary basis people who engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour. That is the only legislative initiative in this area.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no promised legislation on the age at which one can purchase a knife, for obvious reasons if Deputy Kenny reflects on it. On the Harris report, the Minister for Education and Science has indicated that she is anxious to have a new approach to the teaching of Irish in our schools. If the House wants to discuss it I am sure time will be made available. The Moriarty tribunal has...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should read the newspapers.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that a statutory instrument is all that is required to deal with the ending of licensing of drift netting for salmon. Compensation issues will, as in the past, be handled on an administrative basis and will not require legislative change.

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The law on drink driving has been recently dealt with in this House and amended. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, keeps it constantly under review. Deputy Hayes will appreciate from today's and yesterday's newspapers that Garda enforcement has been escalated dramatically. The size of the road traffic corps is increasing dramatically. I am not in a position to say if any further...

Order of Business (2 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: No legislation is promised on that.

Written Answers — Illegal Fireworks: Illegal Fireworks (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Explosives Act, 1875 provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks. That Act was amended by the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 and, on 1 August, 2006 I signed an order bringing all sections of the Act relating to fireworks into immediate effect. These amendments provide for new offences governing the possession of illegal fireworks with intent to...

Written Answers — Remembrance Commission: Remembrance Commission (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been advised by the Remembrance Commission that the person in question is continuing to receive funding for medical expenses under the terms of the Amended Scheme of Acknowledgement, Remembrance and Assistance for Victims in this Jurisdiction of the Conflict in Northern Ireland. The Commission will continue to support the person to the maximum extent possible within its remit.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) has entered into a contract for the accommodation of asylum seekers at the Towers in Clondalkin, Dublin 22. The contract will expire on 24th December 2012. The capacity of the centre is 250 persons. It was not possible to engage in any advance consultation process with local service providers (including the Department of Education and Science) until...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The legal representatives of the person concerned lodged an application for permission to remain in the State on the 28 February 2006. A decision granting her permission to remain on work permit conditions issued to her legal representatives on the 9 March 2006. She attended at the Garda National Immigration Bureau on the 27 March 2006 where her passport was endorsed and a Certificate of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to provide a new Divisional Headquarters Station for the Gardaí in Limerick City. The Garda Authorities have agreed briefs of requirements for a new Divisional Headquarters at a recent meeting and I expect that these will be submitted shortly to this Department and the Office of Public Works. The Office of Public Works are currently exploring various options to meet both...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. 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...

Written Answers — Rented Accommodation: Rented Accommodation (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Sections 57 and 58 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 propose to amend the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1980 so as to enable all business tenants to contract out of provisions that confer a right to a new tenancy, such course of action being conditional on the tenant having received independent legal advice in the matter. At present only tenants of office...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together. The Irish Prison Service is at present engaged on preliminary works and surveys on Spike Island which are intended to inform on the technical and planning aspects of the project prior to proceeding with the construction of the bridge. When these are complete I will be in a position to provide more detailed information on the likely...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (1 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. 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...