Results 13,861-13,880 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: Paragraph 10 of the section entitled "Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity" of the Agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations provides for the establishment of a joint committee of representatives of the two human rights commissions, North and South, as a forum for consideration of human rights issues in Ireland. It is stated in paragraph 10: The joint committee will...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 29 April 2002 the Irish and British Governments signed an agreement on police co-operation providing a framework for the implementation of certain Patten recommendations on enhanced police co-operation. The implementation of Articles 1, lateral entry, 2, secondments with police powers, and 5, personnel exchange without police powers, of the agreement is a key measure towards improving the...

Written Answers — Remembrance Commission: Remembrance Commission (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 913 and 969 together. The Remembrance Commission administers the scheme of acknowledgement, remembrance and assistance for victims in this jurisdiction of the conflict in Northern Ireland. The person to whom the Deputy refers has applied for assistance from the scheme. I have made inquiries with the commission, and have been informed that all validly submitted...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: An Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to require convicted drug dealers to register with the Garda after leaving prison. In accordance with that commitment, I intend to bring forward by way of amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is currently on Second Stage, a statutory provision for the establishment of a drug offenders register.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person to whom the Deputy refers was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 17 February 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months. It is likely, therefore, that in the case of the application of the person concerned a decision will be finalised in or around February 2006. I will be in touch...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application in question was made to the Department of Foreign Affairs in October 2004. The visa was sought to allow a non-EEA national to join with his wife in the State under the family reunification scheme. Following an examination by the family reunification unit the application was returned as it was deemed that the application could not be considered under the provisions of section...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The applicants concerned were granted temporary leave to remain for an initial period of two years effective from 17 August 2005. Some 18,000 applications for permission to remain were received under the revised arrangements and more than 13,000 cases have been processed to date.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: An internal disputes resolution procedure has been put in place in my Department for the Garda Síochána pensions scheme. A complaint from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was investigated under this procedure and a determination was made on 19 August 2005. The official who made the determination found that, under the relevant regulations, a short service gratuity amounting to...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that bench warrants were issued at the Circuit Civil Court on 14 July 2005 in respect of the individuals to whom the Deputy refers. I am further informed that the warrants were subsequently cancelled on 18 and 21 July respectively. I understand that there is no record of the company to which the Deputy refers in the Companies Office.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources, that the personnel strength of Clontarf, Coolock, Raheny and Santry sub-districts as at 14 September 2005, together with the population figures formulated from statistics gathered for the 2002 Census of Population was as set out in the table. Sub-District Strength at...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: Data provided by the Garda authorities in respect of seizures of the principal illicit drugs and the percentage increase or decrease in such seizures over the period 2000 to 2004, inclusive, is summarised in the table. Quantities of drugs seized 2000 to 2004. Type of Drug 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004* Overall increase/ (decrease) 2000 to 2004* Heroin 23.9kg 29.5kg 16.7kg 27.046kg...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The agreement to which the Deputy refers is the bilateral instrument concerning mutual legal assistance which I signed on behalf of Ireland with the United States on 14 July 2005. The purpose of this instrument is to update and supplement existing mutual legal assistance arrangements with the United States, approved by Dáil Éireann in November 2001, in order to bring them into line with the...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table on the basis of the year in which each contract was awarded and the final cost of each contract. Year Awarded: 2000 Name of Company Value of Contract â'¬ Fitzpatricks 102,747.00 Siemens 2,298,107.00 Hay Management Consultants 182,326.27 Dell 1,891,866.00 OKI Systems 135,535.00 Year Awarded: 2001 Name...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the equal opportunities child care programme, EOCP, 2000-06 provides grant assistance towards the staffing costs of community-based, not-for-profit child care services which have a clear focus on disadvantage. In September 2000, the group in question was awarded a staffing grant of €133,703 over three years under the EOCP. In November 2003, the group was approved...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I informed the Deputy in response to Question No. 297 on 12 October 2004 that it was anticipated that the application in question would be finalised in or around May 2006. This is still the position.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question was received in my Department on 17 February 2005, for the stated purpose of enabling a non-EEA national travel to the State for a visit to an Irish national. When assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters, including whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant would fully honour the...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: The table below shows the total number of proceedings commenced, and convictions for, the offence of urinating in a public place in the Fitzgibbon Street Garda district for the year to 23 September. To provide figures which specifically relate to Croke Park match days would incur a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources. The statistics provided are provisional, operational...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that one sergeant and 11 gardaí are attached to the community policing unit at Mountjoy Garda station. There are no plans to increase this figure. Garda management states that it will continue to monitor and appraise the policing and administrative strategy...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: A deportation order was made on 22 December 2004 in respect of the applicant to whom the Deputy refers. She was notified of this by registered letter dated 16 February 2005. The applicant instituted judicial review proceedings on 13 March 2005 challenging the deportation order. These proceedings are ongoing and, accordingly, as the matter is sub judice it would not be appropriate to comment...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (28 Sep 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 930 and 931 together. Waterford is one of 17 locations nationwide which has been selected to receive a Garda CCTV system. This programme of implementation of CCTV systems is being implemented on a phased basis as follows — phase 1, Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2, Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; phase 3...