Results 8,901-8,920 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since January 1, 2006 the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) has made 39 specific flights to the North Central Division and has assisted in the arrest of 18 persons during these deployments. I am further advised that there has been a small number of complaints regarding over-flying by the Garda helicopter to date in 2006. One complaint was...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was granted a C visit visa to enter the State for a period of three months. It now appears that she is seeking an extension of her permission to remain in the State. An examination of the papers in relation to the case indicates that the person concerned sought an extension of her C Visit Visa with the Immigration Division of my Department and was refused. Notification of...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is my intention to reply to the correspondence in question shortly.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made a family reunification application in June 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 — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I have been...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 to 556, inclusive, together. I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 1 February, 2006. The extensive Garda review of the case was substantively completed in March 2005, at which point I received an interim report from the Garda authorities. Nothing has emerged as a result of that Garda review which would justify the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 which has been passed by both Houses makes specific provisions in relation to attacks on emergency workers. Section 185 of the Bill amends section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 in order to apply the existing offence of assaulting or obstructing a peace officer (or any person assisting them) to other emergency...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that in recent times there have been three incidents of a particularly serious nature involving attacks on emergency personnel. These incidents are being actively investigated by the Garda authorities, and a person has been arrested and charged in respect of one of these incidents. In October 2000 Gardaí met Dublin Fire Brigade personnel regarding the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I have been...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I have been...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there have been no Garda Stations closed in the Garda Districts of Clonmel, Cahir and Tipperary in South Tipperary since 1997. I have been further informed that there are currently no plans to close any Garda Stations in the Tipperary Division.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The timetable for my Department's decentralisation programme has been published in the most recent Report from the Decentralisation Implementation Group to the Minister for Finance, dated 30 June 2005. The programme runs from 2004 to 2009. As the Deputy will be aware, the Private Security Authority has been up and running in Tipperary Town since October, 2004. A further 186 posts from the...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: In June 2005 the family mentioned in the Question were accommodated in Birchwood House in Waterford. They made a request for a transfer to more suitable accommodation supported by documentation from a clinical psychologist. They were subsequently transferred to Mosney Accommodation Centre. In June 2006 the Reception and Integration Agency received a request to transfer to self-catering...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted refugee status in the State. His son was not included in his application for asylum and as such was not granted refugee status. As the child does not have refugee status he cannot be included on the person in question's 1951 UN Convention travel document. It is open to the person in question to make an application for a travel document on behalf of his son....

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 381 (ref: 26719/06) of the 5th July 2006.

Written Answers — Private Security Services: Private Security Services (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: From 1 August, 2006, all contractors installing intruder alarm systems will require a Private Security Authority (PSA) licence to continue providing this security service. The PSA is a statutory agency of this Department with responsibility for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry in this State under the provisions of the Private Security Services Act, 2004. All...

Written Answers — Retirement Age: Retirement Age (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The current position is that members of ranks in the Garda Síochána up to and including Inspector, who were recruited to the Force prior to 1 April, 2004, must retire at 57 years of age. Members recruited after that date may serve until 60, subject to an annual check after the age of 55 on fitness to serve. In the context of the establishment of a Garda Reserve, I have said that I see merit...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (6 Jul 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. It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being researched. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 to 573, inclusive, 581 and 583 together. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or...