Results 3,221-3,240 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business. (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A lot done, more to do.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Internet is an international phenomenon. It has no borders and no single organisation controls it. Measures to combat child pornography on the Internet are therefore hampered by a multiplicity of jurisdictions and differing legal systems and societal norms. Furthermore, developments in new communications technologies allow for Internet access from many means other than the traditional...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the law on the protection of personal data is contained in the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003. These Acts give effect both to the Council of Europe convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In 2004 my Department published a comprehensive review of progress under the Equal Opportunities Child Care Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, entitled, Developing Child Care in Ireland, which was circulated to all Members of the Oireachtas and posted on the Department's website. Much of the detailed information sought by the Deputy to the end of 2003 is included in this report. It is intended in...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Given the circumstances of this case, it was deemed appropriate to prioritise the processing of these applications. Application Nos. 1684591 to 1684598, inclusive, were approved by my Department on 29 April 2005.

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 191 and 207 on 21 April last, in which I outlined the measures I intend to pursue in an effort to ensure the efficient and effective use of the valuable resources at my disposal. The position regarding alternative placement for the staff currently located at Loughan House is that they will be transferred on a permanent basis to other...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of gardaí trained in the use of the intoxiliser breathalyser machines in each division is as set out in the following table: Division Number D.M.R North 26 D.M.R South 13 D.M.R North Central 37 D.M.R South Central 37 D.M.R East 31 ...

Written Answers — Crime Statistics: Crime Statistics (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to compile the information requested in the timeframe allowed. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Separate applications were received in my Department on 19 January 2005 from the persons concerned seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish born citizen child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. The closing date for receipt of applications for the scheme was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. In...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The group in question has already been awarded staffing grant assistance of €195,000 under the EOCP to date for its existing service. An application for capital grant assistance under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 was submitted by this group to my Department some time ago. The level of demand for capital grant assistance was such that I considered it important to...

Written Answers — Property Sales: Property Sales (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I expect to receive the auctioneering-estate agency review group's report by mid-year. The review group is tasked to carry out a review of all aspects of the auctioneering-estate agency profession in Ireland and to make recommendations for any changes necessary in terms of structure or legislation to ensure a proper and appropriate auctioneering and property letting service to the public in...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are seven directives that come under the remit of my Department that have been adopted by Council but have yet to be transposed into domestic legislation. These are: Commission Directive 2004/57/EC on the identification of pyrotechnic articles and certain ammunition for the purposes of Council Directive 93/15/EEC on the harmonisation of the provisions relating to the placing on the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, an Armenian national, arrived in the State on 9 September 2003 and claimed asylum. Her application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and she was notified of this recommendation by letter on 8 September 2004. Her subsequent appeal was refused by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and she was notified of this recommendation by...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together. I can inform the Deputy that visa application No. 0606030 was approved by my Department on 29 of April 2005. The second reference number supplied by the Deputy, No. 060603930, is not a visa application number. However, if the Deputy is referring to application No. 0606029, as seems likely based on the name of the applicant, this too was...

Written Answers — State Pathologist's Office: State Pathologist's Office (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. There are currently six officials employed in the State Pathologist's office — the State Pathologist, the Deputy State Pathologist, a senior scientist and three clerical officers. The State Pathologist's office has been allocated a budget of €550,000 for 2005, an increase of 5% on the 2004 figure.

Written Answers — State Pathologist's Office: State Pathologist's Office (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the Adjournment debate in the Dáil on Thursday, 28 April 2005 where this matter was dealt with.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the circumstances of each case wherein the chief medical officer of the Garda Síochána is unable to issue a certificate of fitness differ. However, on receipt of a written application for review accompanied by a report from a treating specialist, the CMO reviews decisions on candidates who have been deemed unfit. Likewise, where an applicant has...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Research undertaken by the Department of Community Health and General Practice, Trinity College, Dublin was published by my Department in 1999 and 2000 under the title Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV in Irish Prisoners: Prevalence and Risk. In view of the recognised link between drug misuse, particularly intravenous use, and the prevalence of both HIV and hepatitis in the general community,...

Written Answers — Vetting Procedures: Vetting Procedures (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the procedures followed in relation to vetting persons being considered for appointment to State boards under my aegis comply with the various relevant Acts and public service guidelines in place and take into consideration the work of the boards in question.

Written Answers — Emergency Travel Arrangements: Emergency Travel Arrangements (5 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is a fundamental requirement for consideration of applications under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005, that applicants submit a valid passport or national identity document as proof of their identity. The closing date for receipt of applications under these arrangements was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. To date, in excess of 4,400...