Results 2,601-2,620 of 18,727 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: By the Department, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: This House is doing itself a singular disservice in criticising a system that is the fairest in the world.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Our system complies fully with UN guidelines in the manner of its operations.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I ask Deputy Cuffe and others who refer to America to consider for one moment whether a family in these circumstances would have been provided for by the American state for four years, whether education and so on that we have heard about tonight would have been provided by that society for anyone who turned up on the shores of America in similar circumstances.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The answer to that question is a resounding "no". This country has nothing to be ashamed of in the way it deals with asylum seekers. It deals with them fairly, properly and humanely.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has a system of reviews, appeals and discretionary arrangements at the end of the process second to none in the world.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: : It is fairly operated and there is no country in Europe with a fairer system or which shows more compassion or decency to people in these circumstances than we do.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In the last analysis, if I do not deport some people we might as well have no law at all.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Some of the Deputies opposite are proving by their behaviour this evening how unsuited they would be to be entrusted with the difficult task I have to undertake in the name of the Irish people.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The average processing time for an application for naturalisation is approximately 24 months. This is due primarily to the significant increase in the volume of applications being received in the last few years. A total of 1,004 applications for naturalisation were received in 2000. The equivalent figures in 2002, 2003 and 2004 were 3,574, 3,580 and 4,074 respectively. A redeployment of staff...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question sought to enable the wife of a non-EEA national employed under the employment permit scheme to reside with him in the State. A worker employed under the work permit scheme may be joined by his or her spouse and minor children after he or she has been in the State for one year and been offered a contract for a further year. The worker must also be able to fully...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are no official statistics available on the gender breakdown of journalists in Ireland. Employment in the media is covered by the terms of the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004, which prohibit discrimination, including discrimination on grounds of gender equality, and permit positive action measures to promote equal opportunities between men and women. The Acts also provide...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted leave to remain in the State on 14 February 2002 on the basis of his marriage to an Irish national. Renewal of this leave was refused on 21 May 2003 on the basis that he was no longer living with his Irish citizen spouse as part of a family unit. On 3 February 2005, the person made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of his...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The following information has been extracted from my Department's financial management system giving a breakdown of expenditure on travel expenses during 2004. The figures are as follows: Vote Private Transport Public Transport Other Total â'¬000 â'¬000 â'¬000 â'¬000 Justice 755 91 0 846 Garda 2,510 0 4,708 7,218 Prisons 1,111 0 80 1,191 Courts 1,237...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I understand that my Department has been in contact with the individual concerned who has been fully advised of the position in this regard.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in February 2003. I expect that my officials will be in a position to notify the Deputy and the applicant of my decision in the matter within the next two weeks.

Written Answers — Garda Traffic Corps: Garda Traffic Corps (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 423 together. There is no specific budget allocated in the 2005 Garda Vote to the newly created traffic corps. While the traffic corps has been established, it is still in the process of formation and all associated expenditure is currently being met from within the overall 2005 Garda Vote. The budget allocated for road traffic equipment for traffic...

Written Answers — Garda Traffic Corps: Garda Traffic Corps (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the establishment of the Garda traffic corps on 23 November 2004. A strategic review of traffic policing conducted by a Garda working group and presented to the commissioner was also published on that date. A key recommendation of the strategic review is that a new position of assistant commissioner, traffic, should be created. The Government approved...

Written Answers — Accommodation for Ex-prisoners: Accommodation for Ex-prisoners (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In responding to this question, it is understood that half-way houses are facilities for homeless prisoners leaving custody. The Government's strategy on homelessness has identified the importance of co-ordinated and integrated provision of services for people who are homeless. The implementation of this strategy is overseen by the cross-departmental team on homelessness, on which the...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 is a central pillar in the Government's child care strategy and is intended to increase the availability and quality of child care supports for parents in employment, education or training. The programme is funded by the Exchequer and the European Union Structural funds as part of the regional operational...