Results 12,021-12,040 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The draft directive to which the Deputy refers has yet to be adopted. The question of any legal challenge that might be brought by Ireland in respect of this instrument would be determined on the basis of advice provided by the Attorney General and approval by the Government.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: My proposals for a Bill to reform comprehensively the legislation relating to coroners and the organisation of the coroner service were approved for drafting by the Government at the end of 2005. The details of the proposals are available on my Department's website. This legislation will radically overhaul and reform the coroner service. It will provide for a modernisation of the death...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the DNA section of the Forensic Science Laboratory analyses samples in a range of case types and compares profiles from these samples with profiles from suspects or injured parties. In a very small proportion of cases samples are sent abroad for analysis using certain specialised techniques, where in view of the limited requirement for such techniques it would not...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and I shall answer the question accordingly. I have made significant progress in implementing the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. One of the key measures in the Act provides for the establishment of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Last week the Dáil passed a resolution recommending three persons for...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: No directives falling under the remit of my Department are overdue for transposition. There are, however, nine directives which have yet to be transposed. Two of these have deadlines for transposition in 2006 and four have 2007 deadlines. The three remaining directives are Schengen-related measures and, as such, the deadlines for transposition apply to Schengen member states only. Ireland has...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are currently 64 Garda youth diversion projects, three of which — KEY, JAY and YEW — are operating in the Tallaght area. In addition, one sergeant and four Garda juvenile liaison officers from Tallaght Garda station are directly associated with these projects. I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects. A...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy arrived in the State on 18 October 1995 on a student visa. She had a child, born in the State, on 6 May 1996. She was granted residency in the State on the basis of her parentage of an Irish-born citizen child on 29 September 1997. She left Ireland in January 1998 and returned to Nigeria to be with her father-in-law who was ill at the time. He died in...

Written Answers — Law Reform Commission: Law Reform Commission (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 it is a function of the Attorney General to refer such matters to the Law Reform Commission for examination and recommendations. I have been in consultation with the Attorney General regarding the form in which the reference to the commission should take in the case referred to by the Deputy. I can confirm that the reference has been made. It asks the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Romanian national, entered the State and claimed asylum on 7 October 1996. He withdrew his application for declaration of refugee status on 24 April 1998 and made an application for residency based on his parentage of an Irish-born child. On 21 March 2002, a registered letter issued to the person concerned requesting documentation to support his application. This...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Operation Anvil commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region on 17 May 2005 and is ongoing. At my request, Operation Anvil is being extended outside the Dublin metropolitan region during 2006, with a view to addressing the problem of serious crime. Operation Anvil will continue as long as it is deemed necessary in operational and policing terms. It has contributed to encouraging outcomes. I am...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is absurd to state that there has been a dramatic increase in headline crime for 2005 when the level of headline crime for 2005 is 4.4% lower than the level for 2002. I did not hear the Deputy state that there was a dramatic fall in headline crime when there was a decrease of 3% recorded for 2003 compared to 2002 and a further decrease in headline crime of 4% recorded for 2004 compared to...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have received representations regarding this matter and I have corresponded with the family in recent days. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the accident referred to had not been reported to the Garda Síochána but that the district patrol car came upon the scene of the accident. From inquiries made at the scene it was established that a person had been removed to hospital. Some...

Written Answers — Garda Accommodation: Garda Accommodation (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the cost of accommodating recruit gardaí in local private accommodation in the Templemore area for 2005 amounted to €845,117. The Deputy will be aware that a new accommodation centre was recently completed in the Garda college on time and within budget.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 167 together. I have noted the comments made in early January by Archbishop John Neill and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on issues concerning immigrants and I appreciate the sincerity with which their comments were made. I do not, however, agree with the suggestion that, as the Deputy puts it, we should "regularise the status of asylum seekers who have...

Written Answers — Paternity Leave: Paternity Leave (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: While there is no statutory entitlement to paternity leave, many employers in both the public and private sectors have arrangements in place providing short periods of paid paternity leave. Paternity leave was considered in the context of a review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. The working group comprised the social partners, relevant...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Public Appointments Service, PAS, is responsible for the administration of the application process as well as stage 1, aptitude testing, and stage 2, interview, of the Garda recruitment process. Information is not compiled on the nationality of persons who apply to join the Garda Síochána. The PAS conducts two voluntary equality monitoring surveys, one at the application stage and a...

Written Answers — Maternity Leave: Maternity Leave (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Orders implementing the maternity and adoptive leave increases announced in the context of budget 2006 were made yesterday, 1 February. The first phase of increases will take effect on 1 March 2006 and will apply to employees commencing their paid maternity or adoptive leave on or after that date. Similarly, any employee commencing their additional unpaid maternity or adoptive leave on or...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: In any case where unlawful activity is suspected, the authority responsible for the investigation of such matters is the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that two formal complaints alleging breaches of domestic and international law were made in October and December 2004. I am further informed that both complaints were thoroughly investigated by the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Kilfinane was one of eight Garda stations in counties Limerick and Tipperary which were selected by the Office of Public Works, following consultation with my Department and the Garda authorities, for inclusion in that office's pilot equity exchange programme which was publicised in 2004. The Office of Public Works considered that the level of interest expressed was not adequate to meet the...

Written Answers — Joyriding Offences: Joyriding Offences (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The problem of joyriding is a complex one which, while requiring significant inputs from the criminal justice system, can only be tackled to lasting effect through a multifaceted and multi-agency response involving the community and relevant statutory bodies. I have been informed that the Garda Síochána operates special foot and mobile patrols which target specific areas in response to...