Results 3,201-3,220 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, an Angolan national, arrived in the State on 31 July 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 15 February 2005 that the Minister proposed...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware that the Garda authorities have made proposals regarding Ballinhassig station, which involve the utilisation of part of the existing site. A prefabricated building was erected on the site and some work will be required to this building in the near future. However, I am advised by the Garda housing section that it has received no requests in regard to rat infestation. I assure the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to refurbish Dunmanway Garda station. I am informed by the Office of Public Works that the refurbishment works were contingent on the acquisition of a portion of the adjoining site at the rear of the station. I am also advised by the board that protracted negotiations for the acquisition of this land have proved difficult and the OPW is now reviewing its options. I can assure...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department wrote to the person's solicitor setting out the position in this case on 29 April 2005. A decision in the case will be made as soon as possible following receipt of a reply to that letter.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application was received in my Department on 23 March 2005 from the person concerned seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of her parentage of an Irish born child under the revised arrangements I announced on 15 January 2005. Applications are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible and, in so far as is possible, in order of receipt. Given the number of applications...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Congolese national, arrived in the State on 4 March 1997 and applied for asylum. Under the procedures then applicable, his application was refused by the asylum division and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, he was informed by letter dated 28 January, 1999, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A key issue to be addressed in the installation of Finglas town centre CCTV system is the provision of suitable accommodation to house the monitoring equipment. It was initially hoped that this could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station. However, this station is not of an acceptable standard and I have already stated that immediate priority is being given to providing a new Garda station....

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In May 1999 an interdepartmental review group was tasked to examine the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86. In its report, published in June 2000, the group concluded: separate standards for off-line and on-line environments will only create serious problems for society in the longer term. However, liability issues in the internet gambling area are likely to be as complex as in other areas of...

Written Answers — DNA Databank: DNA Databank (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A national DNA databank would be of great assistance to the Garda Síochána in the detection of crime and I support the introduction of such a database. It is my intention to draw up proposals for the establishment of a DNA database which would, having regard to constitutional requirements and the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights, permit as extensive a databank as...

Written Answers — DNA Databank: DNA Databank (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is my intention to draw up proposals for the establishment of a DNA databank which would, having regard to constitutional requirements and the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights, permit as extensive a databank as possible. As I previously indicated to the House the Law Reform Commission is examining the issues surrounding the establishment of a DNA databank. The...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a directive issued arising from the enactment ofS.I. 167/2005 which created a new summons format. This requires a change to be made to PULSE. The new format will be introduced in PULSE as soon possible after the format has been agreed with the Courts Service. In the interim I am advised by the...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A considerable amount of contingency planning has been undertaken to ensure the continued running of the prison system in the event of industrial action by prison officers. As I have previously stated, the Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel would have a major role to play in such an eventuality. The Deputy will appreciate that for obvious operational and security reasons, I am not...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 447 together. A considerable amount of contingency planning has been undertaken to ensure the continued running of the prison system in the event of industrial action by prison officers. As I have previously stated, the Garda Síochána and Defence Forces personnel would have a major role to play in such an eventuality. The Deputy will appreciate that...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: For security reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to put this information into the public domain.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The agent referred to by the Deputy was acting on a professional basis on behalf of the vendor of the Thornton Hall site. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to identify this individual by way of reply to a parliamentary question.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The minutes of the Mountjoy site selection committee have been published and are in the public domain. I understand that a person associated with a local residents association has secured leave from the High Court for a judicial review of the decision to select the site and, accordingly, it would be inappropriate for me to comment in relation to the negotiations which took place.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Reception and Integration Agency. The number of staff working in the agency at 30 April 2005 is 59.5. The staff of the agency are recruited through the normal channels of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Public Appointments Service. In addition, in recognition of its wide-ranging remit, the agency also has a number of...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: On 28 March 2000, the Government approved the establishment of the Reception and Integration Agency under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It replaced the directorate for asylum support services and incorporated the refugee agency, which previously operated under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Reception and Integration Agency is headed up...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information required by the Deputy regarding funding allocated to the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, for the years 2001-05 inclusive, is set out in the table below. Year Asylum Seeker Accommodation Allocation Administrative Allocation PAY Administrative Allocation NON-PAY â'¬ million â'¬ million â'¬ million 2001 0.82 2002 83.8 1.7 0.96 2003 76.5 ...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (4 May 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 Fethard Garda station as at 3 May 2005 was one sergeant and one garda. I am further advised that local Garda management is satisfied with the current policing arrangements in the Fethard sub-district. Regarding Garda resources...