Results 14,401-14,420 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are seven EU directives which have been adopted by the Council of the European Union but have yet to be transposed into domestic legislation in Ireland. One of these directives, Directive 2004/57/EC, has passed its deadline for transposition. It is anticipated that this directive will be transposed later this year by way of a Statutory Instrument under section 3 of the European...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the citizenship section of my Department on 21 January 2005. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the applications of the individuals concerned will be finalised in...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are two aspects of this case under consideration at present. The first is an application under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 by the person's son, who is a recognised refugee, to have her remain with him in the State by way of family reunification. That issue is under consideration by the Refugee Applications Commissioner at present, as required by law. The second is an application...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 16 June 2004. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the application of the individual concerned will be finalised in...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that the successful targeting of criminal assets in this country has caused many of the major crime figures to re-locate and direct their criminal activity from outside this jurisdiction. I am further informed that the Garda Síochána maintains contact with other police forces through...

Written Answers — Proceeds of Crime: Proceeds of Crime (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that the Criminal Assets Bureau takes civil proceedings focused on assets which are believed to be the proceeds of criminal conduct. These investigations will, in most cases, follow from earlier criminal investigations. The seizure of assets in criminal investigations or proceedings is carried out by the Director of Public Prosecutions under...

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 199 together. I continue to be concerned that there is some evidence of unacceptable elements entering the private security industry. My concern with regard to door management was one of the reasons I brought forward legislation to regulate the private security industry. The Private Security Authority, which was established in October 2004, will...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular form. Year Number of naturalisation applications received Number of certificates of naturalisation issued Number of certificates of naturalisation refused Number of declarations of post-nuptial citizenship received Number of certs issued (PNC) Number refused (PNC) 2005 (end of May) 1,760 577 860 1,317...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, sets out nine categories of persons in respect of whom the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may make deportation orders. An "economic emigrant" is not, per se, one of those categories. However, if the Deputy is referring to non-EEA nationals working in the State pursuant to permits issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of headline offences where a firearm was involved from 2000 to 2004 is as set out in the table below. With regard to the extent of the number of successful prosecutions, as the Deputy is aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions is statutorily independent in the performance of his function and it would, therefore, be inappropriate for me...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested is as set out in the following table. It covers the three robbery offences of robbery from the person, robbery from an establishment-institution and robbery of cash-goods in transit. It should be noted that many of the proceedings commenced have not yet been completed. With regard to the extent of the number of successful...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Government's approach continues to support the underlying principles of the Children Act 2001 — namely, that prevention through early intervention is desirable, that detention should be used a last resort and that diversion and community sanctions should be available and used wherever appropriate. There is a well-acknowledged recognition of the need to join up strategy and operation of...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 17 and 19 today.

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the control of operational matters is an issue for the Garda Síochána. I wish to inform the Deputy that there are a number of multi-disciplinary and inter-departmental structures in place which facilitate an integrated and co-ordinated approach to tackling and-or preventing serious and organised crime including the Criminal Assets Bureau, the institutional...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: With regard to crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible within the timeframe involved to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 213 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of each Garda station in County Kildare as at 30 June 2000 and 22 June 2005 was as set out in the table hereunder: Station 30 June 2000 22 June 2005 Naas 76 79 Clane 6 6...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 31 December 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the net increase in each of those years on the previous year, was as set out in the table hereunder. Date Strength Net increase on previous year ...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 211, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of hours each Garda station in County Kildare are open during a 24-hour period is as set out hereunder. Station Hours Naas 24 hours Celbridge Nine hours Clane Three hours Maynooth Nine hours Kill Three hours Kildare 24 hours Newbridge 24...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (23 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The figure for 2004 is provisional and liable to change. Missing Persons Untraced 1990-2004. Year Missing Persons Untraced 1990 10 1991 11 1992 7 1993 9 1994 12 1995 17 1996 10 1997 3 1998 10 1999 15 2000 20 2001 53 2002...