Results 12,461-12,480 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is fantasy.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Having briefed Mr. Feeney on the issue, I had hoped he would see that it was inappropriate to have such a person in a position of such importance and that the CPI would replace Mr. Connolly.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There was great resistance to such a proposition.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: When I heard Mr. Connolly on the radio repeatedly saying that these allegations lacked substance, I decided that I would accede to the request of Independent Newspapers to give it a copy of the application form so that the truth of this matter would be established.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not the case that I thought that FARC money was going to go to the CPI. The CPI was very adequately funded, as the Deputy knows. It is my view that the provisional movement, after its second ceasefire, sent that team to Colombia to bring money back to Ireland in exchange——

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——for know-how in terrorism and explosives, which has cost the lives of hundreds of people since in Colombia.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Timmins asked why the Irish Government assisted in the provision of bail for the Colombia three. This happened at the request of the gentlemen behind him who all claimed that lives of the Columbia three were in danger if they remained in prison. They skipped bail as soon as they were given it. The Irish Government——

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thought the Deputy claimed to be a democrat.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Government was told by Deputy Finian McGrath and others that the lives of these men were in danger as long as they were in prison. As a humanitarian gesture inspired by these gentlemen and no one else, they got bail and then they skipped it. That is what happened.

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am grateful to the Dáil for affording me an opportunity to make a statement to the House. For the information of Members and clarity in proceedings, I am circulating with this statement the reply to the written parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Finian McGrath, the document which was furnished by me to the Irish Independent at its request and published on 26 November last and a...

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, it falls especially to me, along with the Minister for Defence, to safeguard the security of the State and prevent the subversion of our democracy. While I am honoured to hold that position, it is one which is both challenging and demanding, constantly requiring the exercise of good authority in a firm and robust manner. Each of us, as a...

Chief Executive of Centre for Public Inquiry: Statement by Minister. (13 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: In that context, I must ask whether others have shown the requisite vigour in pursuing these matters. In particular, commentators who never asked the hard questions about an issue that was staring them in the face — since, as the Taoiseach said, all of this was in the public domain a number of years ago — should perhaps pause before condemning those among their colleagues who genuinely...

Written Answers — Auctioneering Industry: Auctioneering Industry (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I commissioned the auctioneering and estate agency review group in July 2004 to examine the future licensing and regulatory requirements of property practitioners against a background of serious public concern about certain selling practices in the property industry. When the group invited submissions from the public about its work, experiences similar to those detailed with this question...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question has been approved on appeal by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is planned to amalgamate Cabinteely and Kill o' the Grange Garda stations at a new site between Rochestown Avenue and Pottery Road in Dún Laoghaire. A sketch scheme of the proposed new Garda station is being considered by the Garda authorities and the Office of Public Works, in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. When that process has been completed and...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Dec 2005)

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 Cappawhite Garda station on 6 December 2005 was one garda. I have been advised that local Garda management are satisfied that the subdistrict of Cappawhite is being well policed and that the sergeant on the working unit in Tipperary...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: A deportation order was signed in respect of the person concerned on 13 December 2004. Following an examination of further representations received relating to this case, I have decided as an exceptional measure to revoke the deportation order and to grant the person temporary leave to remain for a period of 12 months. The case will be reviewed at the end of that period. The individual...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process, involving the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. While it is not the practice to comment in detail on individual...

Written Answers — Industrial Relations: Industrial Relations (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: During the passage of the Equality Bill 2004 through the Oireachtas, an issue was raised by IBEC about a difficulty with the application of the age ground under the Employment Equality Act 1998 for certain practices operated in Aer Lingus and other employments. Representatives of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform subsequently met representatives of IBEC, Aer Lingus and the...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (8 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that I have asked the Land Registry to contact him directly about the current position of the application in question.