Results 2,821-2,840 of 18,727 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Reintegration of Prisoners: Reintegration of Prisoners (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the NESF itself has, in November 2004, presented a report to the Taoiseach entitled Fourth Periodic Report on the Work of the NESF, which the forum had prepared for the purpose of reviewing implementation and follow-through, mainly by Government Departments and State agencies, on several particular reports it had undertaken and submitted over the period 2001-03 and...

Written Answers — Garda Liaison: Garda Liaison (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Assistant Commissioner Martin Callinan, Garda national support services, has been appointed by the Garda Commissioner to be the liaison officer to the families.

Written Answers — North-South Policing Protocol: North-South Policing Protocol (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to have this opportunity to inform the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI recently signed protocols which provide for the implementation of a programme of personnel exchanges and secondments between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The signing of these protocols is clear evidence of the continued commitment of...

Written Answers — Immigration Policy: Immigration Policy (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the law as set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, I am obliged to take humanitarian considerations into account in determining whether or not a deportation order should be made. The question of disregarding such considerations, therefore, does not arise. I am also obliged to take into account a range of other factors, including the common good. As the Supreme Court has...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The current seven year Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 has an equal opportunities and social inclusion perspective and facilitates the further development and expansion of child care facilities to address the needs of parents, in reconciling their child care needs with their participation in employment, education and training. The EOCP aims to increase the supply of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to her parliamentary question — ref. 8943/05 — on 22 March 2005 when I specified the various proposals being considered by the Garda authorities in relation to this station. I am advised by the Garda authorities that these proposals are still under consideration.

Written Answers — Electronic Monitoring: Electronic Monitoring (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 107 and 222 of 16 February 2005, the use of electronic tagging systems to monitor offenders in other jurisdictions is an issue which my Department has kept under review for some time. My Department has looked at the experience of a number of countries in the operation of these systems. These include the United Kingdom, the United...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 712 together. A total of 11,270 deportation orders have been made under the Immigration Act 1999 since its commencement in November 1999. Of these, 2,268 deportation orders have been effected to date — 1,546 in the period 1 June 2002 to 31 March 2005 — and approximately 100 cases are with the Garda national immigration bureau for arrangements to be...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans to reduce opening hours or close any Garda station. The use of Garda stations was considered as part of the major review of the Garda organisation structures under the strategic management initiative programme of modernisation which looked in detail at a range of areas within the organisation. The Garda SMI implementation steering group's final report, which I have laid before...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on immigration matters, which was signed at Abuja on 29 August 2001 provides, inter alia, for a mechanism for the repatriation of persons between the two states. Article 20 of the agreement provides that nationals of the contracting states shall not be subject to inhuman or degrading...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 733 and 772 together. I am in receipt of correspondence concerning this matter from a number of sources, including the vice-principal of the school concerned and the joint managerial body of the Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools. I should first point out that Garda Síochána is tasked with the execution of deportation orders. In...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is assumed that this question refers to unaccompanied minors who arrive in the State seeking asylum, whose claims for refugee status are refused following consideration of their cases by two independent bodies — the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal — and who subsequently reach the age of majority. In such circumstances, the person is...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities inform me that advice has been received from the law officers on the implications of the recent decision of the High Court on section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 and on the taking of prosecutions utilising section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, as amended by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. The Garda authorities further inform me that the information...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that as of 8 April 2005 there were 86 juvenile liaison officer — JLO — gardaí and eight JLO sergeants working in the various divisions throughout the country. In addition to this, the national juvenile office has a staff of one superintendent, two inspectors...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the scheme of a judicial council Bill to Government for approval with a view to publishing the Bill itself in the first half of this year. The preparation of the scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I am engaged in a number of necessary consultations on the draft scheme at present. The Bill will establish a judicial council with...

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Refugee Appeals Tribunal is an independent body established under the Refugee Act 1996. The tribunal comprises a chairperson and, at present, 35 ordinary members appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The criteria used in making appointments to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal are set out in the Second Schedule to the 1996 Act. Ordinary members of the tribunal, who...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána does not as a matter of routine receive caller identification from the emergency services operator. For all other calls, caller identification is received only if the caller has enabled the facility on their telephone.

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not clear if the Deputy is referring to a specific area of immigration law. There is a wide range of offences created within the overall legislative framework dealing with immigration and asylum. Data on the number of persons in detention for breaches of those laws are not maintained in a manner to enable me provide the information sought by the Deputy. I am aware that particular...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The closing date for receipt of applications for the IBC/05 scheme was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. Of this number, some 3,600 applicants have been granted temporary permission to remain and 13 applicants have been refused temporary permission to remain. It should be noted that a number of incomplete applications are currently under examination or are being held...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 776 and 777 together. While the number of cases of possession of firearms has decreased, it is a matter of concern to note a further increase in cases of discharge of firearms. I am conscious of the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms and the particular overriding necessity to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in...