Results 11,761-11,780 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006 to 2010 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new office of the Minister of State with responsibility for children, under the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. Capital grant assistance of...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As stated in my earlier reply to the Deputy, this is a Garda operational matter which is currently ongoing. In these circumstances, I am not at liberty to comment on any aspect of the case.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that following a report received from a journalist that some documents, which appeared to originate in my Department, were allegedly found in an illegal dump site in County Tyrone, my Department reported the matter to the Garda Síochána. I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that, following investigation, there was insufficient evidence of a criminal offence...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The awarding of penalty points is a matter for the Department of Transport. I am informed that Department does not record the locations where the non-wearing of a safety belt is detected and in respect of which penalty points are issued.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a sergeant has been appointed to liaise with the person referred to by the Deputy. The Garda is aware of, and is addressing, the issues raised by the person. I understand that Garda records have been updated and a warning notice posted on the PULSE recording system.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: This application has only recently, on 10 February 2006, been received by my Department's visa section and is pending assessment.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 521 on Tuesday, 14 February 2006.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 1098 and 1150 on 25 January 2006. The position remains that any further submission which the Stardust victims committee or its representatives wishes to make on this matter will be carefully examined. To date no such submission has been received.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children recently obtained Government approval for the banning of magic mushrooms in their raw state under misuse of drugs legislation. Control exemptions are a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, and I understand that the Minister has made an exemption order to provide for...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: This matter was discussed with the Garda Representative Association on several occasions before the Garda Síochána Act 2005 became law. I do not consider it appropriate that the specific measures in that Act relating to the establishment of the Ombudsman Commission, which were designed right from the beginning to instill public confidence in a new system for dealing with complaints by...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings is currently under consideration by my Department. Legislation which will criminalise trafficking in human beings for the purpose of their sexual and labour exploitation as provided for in the EU framework decision on combating trafficking in persons is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. This...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that compilation of the information requested by the Deputy would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources and could not be justified in the circumstances.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: In December 1999, when the direct provision system was first introduced, the rates paid to the providers of this full board accommodation ranged from €10,400 per person per annum to €17,888 per person per annum. Since then the reception and integration agency of my Department has negotiated significant reductions in the rates paid. Currently, payments in the commercial sector for direct...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 529 together. Last year the Office of Public Works entered into a new licence agreement with telecommunications operators for the utilisation of the State property portfolio, including Garda masts. There is no direct benefit accruing to the Garda Síochána in the agreement apart from the replacement of masts and ancillary equipment as provided for...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: There were 33 material damage, eight non-serious injury, three serious injury and no fatal traffic collisions on the Stillorgan Road in the year 2004. During the same period on the Stillorgan Road, 71 speed operations were conducted. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the cost of providing, and revenue arising from, the speed checks is not readily available. The amount of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Personnel allocated to the Garda traffic corps are selected from existing available resources in each division. Newly appointed gardaí are not allocated to traffic corps duties following completion of the initial training period. The divisional breakdown of the traffic corps at 31 January 2006 is as follows: Garda Traffic Corps at 31 January, 2006 Division Number Dublin Metropolitan...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Article 40.6.1(i) of the Constitution provides for the offence of blasphemy. In addition, section 13 of the Defamation Act 1961 provides penalties for the offence. However, as noted by the Supreme Court in the case of Corway v. Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited [1999] 4IR 484, no definition of the offence of blasphemy exists in Irish law. The position on this constitutional offence has...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Local Garda management is aware of recent complaints regarding strangers in cars approaching children in the estate in question and the surrounding area. The Garda has put in place an investigation team to investigate these matters fully and extensive enquires are being carried out in the area concerned, including interviewing all known witnesses. All local gardaí have been fully briefed...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question have been assessed by my officers in New Delhi. In assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for...