Results 12,181-12,200 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Parental Leave: Parental Leave (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 14 December 2005. In the interests of maintaining the parity of entitlements between adopting and natural mothers paid adoptive leave will be increased to 20 weeks in March 2006 and to 24 weeks in March 2007. Unpaid adoptive leave will be increased to 12 weeks in March 2006 and to 16 weeks in March 2007. I intend to implement...

Written Answers — Land Registry: Land Registry (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Land Registry operates within the resources assigned to it and decides accordingly on priority areas. Staff are assigned taking into account the demand for services in each area of activity. I understand that there are no proposals to assign additional arbitrators to the ground rent section at present.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 491 on 8 November 2005. As I explained in that reply, I am constrained in what I can say because the person concerned has a civil action in being arising from the events in Donegal. The issues raised in this particular case are being carefully examined so as to ensure that they are responded to fully and appropriately in the...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no allegation of fraud in the ESB made by the person referred to by the Deputy currently under investigation by the Garda Síochána. If the Deputy provides further information, or if a criminal complaint is made to the Garda authorities by the person referred to by the Deputy, I will have further inquiries made in the matter.

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1096 and 1130 together. The Registrar of Titles has informed me that the temporary stay that she placed, with effect from 7 December 2005, on the processing of applications based on adverse possession of land was temporary, pending consideration of the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR, judgment in the case of JA. Pye (Oxford) Ltd. v. the United Kingdom....

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

Michael McDowell: An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in April 2005. Applications of this type, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in chronological order and currently take approximately 16 to 18 months to process. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an...

Written Answers — Stardust Inquiry: Stardust Inquiry (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1098 and 1150 together. I can advise the Deputies that in 2004, following a number of meetings between representatives of the Stardust victims committee and officials from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a submission was presented to my Department on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the allegations of illegal activities referred to and has taken the lead role in initiating and steering a multi-agency approach to tackling certain activities in the area, in particular in relation to food related businesses. Local Garda management, Dublin City Council, Dublin Fire Brigade, the Revenue...

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 20 fixed camera installation posts at various locations in the Dublin area and Louth-Meath division. There are three cameras rotated between these fixed camera installation posts, two in the Louth-Meath division and one in Dublin. There is a range of mobile speed detection equipment, including six GATSO vans — mobile units with on board...

Written Answers — Violence Against Women: Violence Against Women (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 198 of Wednesday 7 December 2005, ref 38355/05. The position remains as set out in that response.

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

Michael McDowell: According to records held in the visa office of my Department, a visa application was approved for a person of that name on 20 July 2005.

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answers to his Dáil questions of 1 and 15 December 2005 in relation to this case. The position remains that representations have been received on her behalf and I expect the file to be submitted for my consideration in due course.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 2 January 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 18 May 2005, that the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: This instrument is based on Title IV of the treaty establishing the European Community which deals with visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to free movement of persons. Ireland and the United Kingdom do not automatically participate in such measures and participation is on the basis of the protocol on the position of Ireland and the United Kingdom, annexed to the treaty on...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The directive in question is being implemented in Ireland via the existing national scheme of compensation for personal injuries criminally inflicted, which is an administrative scheme laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and operated by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, CICT. My Department is satisfied that legislative change is not necessary to give effect to the directive....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are currently six staff on paid full-time study leave, while 166 staff are undertaking part-time or evening study paid for by the Department. The figure of 166 includes 70 staff from the Department and its agencies who are completing a one-year Diploma in Justice Studies, a specially designed course developed by the Institute of Public Administration. Department of Finance Circular...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is policed by uniform and detective gardaí from Irishtown Garda station. Patrolling is also undertaken by the divisional crime task force, the community policing unit and the crime prevention unit. A number of incidents of vandalism and intimidation in the area are currently under investigation by gardaí. Gardaí recently held...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement: Name of Board Number of Public Appointments since 1997 (including re-appointments) Interim Parole Board 15 Peace Commissioners 921 Prison Visiting Committees 463 Prisons Authority Interim Board 14 National Crime Council 77 Land Registry/Registry of Deeds Interim Board 6 Registration...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Name of Board Vacancy Censorship of Publications Board 1 Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal 1 National Crime Council 1 Committee on Court Practice & Procedure 1 Interim Parole Board 1 Arbour Hill Prison Visiting Committee 2 Clover Hill Prison Visiting Committee 2 Loughan House Place of...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1112 and 1113 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not generally their policy to make any comment regarding the existence or otherwise of any intelligence information that relates to the security of the State.