Results 2,561-2,580 of 18,727 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (10 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: My proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis over a number of years was approved by the Government in October 2004 in line with the commitment in the agreed programme for Government. The number of gardaí assigned to the traffic corps, which was established in November 2004, will increase from the current level of approximately 530 to 1,200...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (10 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together. The type of speed detection equipment available to members of the Garda Síochána can operate effectively in the hours of darkness.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (10 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are no proposals by the Garda authorities to acquire new speed detection equipment for the Garda Síochána. A working group on speed cameras chaired by my Department and consisting of representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport and the National Roads Authority is examining a range of issues concerning speed cameras, including the parameters for outsourcing...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The statistics for headline offences for each month for the years 2002 to 2004 are as set out in the table. It would not be possible to provide the other information requested by the Deputy without using a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources. Headline Offences by month for the years 2002 to 2004. 2002 2003 2004 Recorded 11,014 10,021 9,445 January Detected...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is important that I preface my remarks by pointing out that it has been the policy of successive Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform not to reveal the personal details of the cases of individual applicants for asylum whose applications are received and treated in confidence. Having said that, I do not wish to shirk the issues Members have raised. Underlying this case are two...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The deportation order was sent to the person at his home address and the accompanying letter instructed him to report to the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau on 3 March 2005.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: This letter was copied to his solicitors. He did not do as requested and was classified as an evader. On 14 March 2005, coincidentally on the day a charter operation to Nigeria was taking place, he arrived at Burgh Quay accompanied by a friend who described himself as his uncle. The person was advised by the Garda to seek immediate legal advice. He was detained and placed in Cloverhill...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned did not seek such assistance.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In regard to the substance of this case, Deputy Costello urged that we would not deport——

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——the school-going children of non-national parents who are facing deportation while they remain in full-time education, and not to deport the young people who come to Ireland as unaccompanied minors while they also remain in full-time education. I ask Deputies to consider what would be the consequences of such a policy. In effect, no person in any form of education and, by implication,...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Furthermore, Ireland would send out a message to the world that it is assuming an obligation to provide education to those who have been found not to be in need of international protection and have otherwise no right to be in the State. A further implication of allowing this person to stay is that, as a matter of policy, a person who has lost one parent and who is not living with the other...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——should be allowed to stay and be educated here. Again, this is not a rational proposition and such a policy would lead to a chaotic immigration system.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The suggestion that has come from some sources that I should not deport a person because he or she is a good student, implying that students who are less academically gifted can be deported, is indefensible.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The same applies to athletic prowess and participation in church activities.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I cannot discriminate against those who are less gifted or on grounds of religious activity.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: All failed asylum seekers and persons illegally in the State are first given the opportunity of going home voluntarily, funded in many cases by the taxpayer. If this is not availed of and a deportation order results, it is carried out with due advance notice to the deportee, which was the case on this occasion. Since I became Minister I have observed some groups in this country who place...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: When the true facts emerge exposing the untruths we are deafened by the silence of these same groups. In particular, a group calling itself Residents Against Racism organised an extensive campaign in respect of a person who claimed she was facing a sentence of death in a Muslim Sharia court in Nigeria. Its campaign involved demonstrations attended by Members of this House and considerable...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Despite uninformed criticism of the Irish asylum determination system by a small but vocal minority of groups in our country, our asylum determination system compares with the best in the world in terms of fairness, decision making, determination structures and support services.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I believe that the vast majority of people in Ireland recognise this and have faith in our asylum system.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Since April 2000, more than 36,000 applicants have been accommodated directly by the State under direct provision arrangements.