Results 12,081-12,100 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person to whom the Deputy is referring was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, in the Dublin Circuit Court on 12 February 2004. The offence was possession of a controlled drug with a market value of €13,000 or more, for the purpose of selling or otherwise unlawfully supplying it to another. The court also ordered that he gain credit for 114 days already...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not received a formal application for a transfer to this country in respect of this person from the United States authorities. An expression of interest for transfer to a prison in this country from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 23 August 2004. In line with the convention, my Department wrote to the US...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy and her two children entered the State in January 2005 and applied for declarations of refugee status. Following consideration of their claims by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, they were refused refugee status and deportation orders were signed in respect of them on 23 November 2005. Judicial review...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that, in so far as the question of post mortem reports requested by a coroner are concerned, it is not possible to indicate an average timeframe as a number of factors can influence this, including whether toxicological or other specialist reports are required as part of the post mortem process.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The decision to develop a much needed modern prison facility at Thornton Hall is being implemented and will not be reconsidered.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since I commenced the publication of crime statistics on a quarterly basis at the beginning of 2003, I have consistently emphasised that care must be taken in interpreting the statistics, especially when considering short-term fluctuations and extrapolating trends over short periods. The level of headline crime in 2005 is lower than that for 2003 by 1.6% and is lower than that for 2002 by...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information as requested by the Deputy, insofar as it relates to projects funded from my Department's own Vote is as follows. As can be seen from the details supplied, these projects relate to awareness raising in respect of important public policy issues rather than the provision of public relations advice to myself in any personal capacity. Public Relations Contract...

Written Answers — Legal Education: Legal Education (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Competition Authority published a preliminary report on competition in legal services in February 2005 which included a number of recommendations, addressed to the Law Society and King's Inns, on the supply of legal education. The report recommended that the Law Society should issue detailed criteria by 30 September 2005 pursuant to which it will licence institutions to provide...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The visa section in my Department is committed to providing a high quality service to all its customers and is making every effort to process all visa applications in as timely a manner as possible. The timeframe for processing visa applications has been reduced in recent months and study visa applications currently take approximately three weeks from the date of receipt in the visa section....

Written Answers — Drug Treatment Services: Drug Treatment Services (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to is serving cumulative sentences totalling 14 months for burglary, assault and threatening-abusive behaviour. He is at present due for release from prison on 3 August 2006. I recently approved a transfer to the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise for this prisoner. I am not prepared to authorise a transfer to either Shelton Abbey or Portlaoise Prison. As I have repeatedly...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in respect of his mother and siblings. My Department has recently been in correspondence with him requesting further documentation in support of the application. On receipt of this documentation a decision will be made in this case.

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have no intelligence which indicates that persons are carrying guns as a form of fashion accessory. As the Deputy will be aware, any person wishing to possess, carry or use a firearm must obtain a firearms certificate from a Garda superintendent and comply with specific requirements under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000. Any person found in...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (31 Jan 2006)

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

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is the intention to relocate the station party in Fitzgibbon Street to temporary accommodation to allow a much needed refurbishment of the station to be undertaken. As various options for the relocation of the station are being considered by the Garda authorities and the Office of Public Works, I am not in a position at this time to indicate any timescale for the move. Consideration is...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question applied for permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish born child prior to 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. Her application is currently being reviewed and I will notify the Deputy when the outcome of the review is known.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: Health and safety standards in the construction of Garda stations are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, which has informed me that the recently completed new Garda station in Derrinturn meets all the appropriate standards. Accordingly, I expect that the gardaí will occupy the station very shortly.

Written Answers — Garda Reserve Force: Garda Reserve Force (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 1148 on Wednesday, 25 January 2006.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact the Deputy directly concerning the current position of the folio in question.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, Carlow is one of the 11 remaining locations nationwide which form part of the Garda CCTV programme. Following recommendations from the Garda authorities, I have approved the implementation of six new Garda CCTV systems. With the addition of these six new locations a total of 17 Garda town centre CCTV systems, including Carlow, will be implemented in the following...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (31 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Carlow Garda station as at years ending 31 December 2002 to 2005, inclusively, was as set out in the table hereunder: Station 2002 2003 2004 2005 Carlow 51 50 53 54 The timescale for achieving the target strength of...