Results 10,121-10,140 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 9th May 2006 and is currently awaiting examination by a visa officer. The application will be considered in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 26 September, 2000 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his 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, he was informed by letter dated 29 August, 2002, that...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in late July 2004 and was assigned reference number 68/2520/04. Officials in the Citizenship Section are currently processing applications received in or around April 2004 and I understand that there are approximately 1,300 applications awaiting...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the events to which the Deputy refers are currently the subject of an investigation by a Detective Superintendent from a Division outside the relevant area. The Deputy's description of these incidents is, I might add, at total variance with the information in my possession. I can say that the significant Garda presence in the general area is...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (30 May 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 as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 (or 16.2%) in the personnel strength of the Force during...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 May 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 as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 (or 16.2%) in the personnel strength of the Force during...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 to 542, inclusive, together. I have made enquiries with the Garda authorities in relation to the information requested by the Deputy. The Garda Division of Clare includes the Garda Districts of Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush and Killaloe. The numbers of arrests for assault (minor) offences and public order offences for each of the years 2002 to 2005 and to...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the first part of his question. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when information concerning this matter is obtained by the Garda Authorities. However, I can assure the House that the Gardaí continue to take a proactive and integrated approach to the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State on 17 March, 2000 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Asylum Division of my Department and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, the person concerned was informed on 21 May, 2004 that the Minister...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Registrar of Deeds and Titles that the Land Registry is planning to set up a small advance unit in Roscommon town to progress its decentralisation programme. Following recent discussions between the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Land Registry, it was agreed that approximately twenty-two staff would be re-deployed from the...

Written Answers — Bail Policy: Bail Policy (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The granting of bail in accordance with the Bail Act, the amount of bail and sentencing are matters for the courts which are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned applied for asylum on 31 May 2005 and had her claim investigated in turn by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Both of these bodies concluded that she and her family did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugees. Their recommendations were communicated to the person concerned on 12 December 2005 and 28 April...

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The man would be charged with sexual assault.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact her directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the amount paid to solicitors operating under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme was €21.472m in 2005. Statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to readily identify the amount paid to solicitors on a county by county basis.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to his Question No. 412 of 16 May 2006 in connection with the person in question. An Irish visa merely allows a person to travel to the State, it does not grant permission to enter the State or to remain in the State. A 'C' visa merely indicates that the holder may remain for up to a maximum of 90 days in the State. A 'C' visa was granted to the person in...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The requirement to hold a valid visa prior to entering the State was waived in recent years for certain persons travelling from Belarus with Chernobyl childrens' organisations. This practice was discontinued on 1st January, 2006. Changes in visa policy and the introduction of legislation including the Children Act, 2001 and the Immigration Act, 2003, necessitated a return to previous practice...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, a key issue to be addressed in the installation of the Finglas Town Centre CCTV system is the provision of suitable accommodation to house the monitoring equipment. It was initially hoped that this could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station. However, the present station premises are not suitable for this purpose. I have already stated that immediate priority is...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government Road Safety Strategy for the period 2004-2006 proposes that 11.1 million vehicle speeding checks be carried out per year by the end of the Strategy. In order to enable this target to be achieved, the Strategy proposes that An Garda Síochána enter into arrangements for the engagement of a private sector concern for the purpose of the provision and operation of a nationwide...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together. 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 as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737...