Results 3,761-3,780 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Primary legislation will be required to give effect to the framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties which was adopted by Council on 24 February 2005. Details, when approved by Government, will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together. I am advised by the Garda authorities, responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that four superintendents have been allocated to each of the districts of Kilrush and Ennistymon in the past five years. The Garda Commissioner has established a review group to examine migration management and policy of...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: On becoming the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the first time the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office as Minister, the quarterly...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Minister for Education and Science announced the introduction of a national framework of qualifications which is creating a single, coherent and more easily understood system of educational and vocational qualifications. To inform this process for the child care sector, a sub-group of the national child care co-ordinating committee developed a framework entitled, Quality Childcare and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I made an official visit to Argentina from 14 to 20 March for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. In line with Government policy, I took full advantage of my visit there to promote Ireland as a modern, democratic State, an attractive tourist destination and a country with a vibrant economy that offers attractive business opportunities. I also availed of the opportunity to explain ongoing...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application in question was approved by my Department on 31 May 2005. Notification of any decision normally reaches the applicant within a few working days of the decision date. All documents supplied in support of the application on condition that they be returned, will be transmitted to the relevant person, via the Department of Foreign Affairs, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Private Security Authority: Private Security Authority (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Private Security Authority was established by statute, inter alia, to meet the need to ensure a consistent level of service within the private security industry. The authority was formally launched by me late last year. The Private Security Authority represents a true partnership approach to regulation of the industry, composed as it is of employers and employees within the industry, the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Equality Tribunal: Equality Tribunal (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Equality Tribunal is an independent statutory office set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998, with its remit extended under the Equality Act 2004, to investigate and mediate complaints pertaining to employment and the provision of goods and services. The Director of the Equality Tribunal, her equality officers and equality mediation officers are independent in the performance of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the Castletroy area of Limerick is policed by gardaí attached to Henry Street Garda station. The personnel strength, all ranks, of Henry Street Garda station as at 3 June 2005 was 192. I have been further informed that the local Garda management does not...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: A consultative process pertaining to my proposals for a Bill to streamline and modernise our liquor licensing laws has recently concluded. I have received a submission from Theatre Forum and I will take its views, and those of other organisations and individuals who made submissions, into account in the context of the drafting of the Bill.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 30 January 2003 and claimed asylum on the same date. Following an examination of her asylum claim, her application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. These positions were conveyed to the person concerned by letters dated 9 September 2003 and 5 December...

Written Answers — Parental Leave: Parental Leave (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Parental Leave Act 1998, which came into effect on 3 December 1998, provides an individual and non-transferable entitlement to parents to 14 weeks unpaid leave from work per child to take care of young children. The leave must be taken before the child reaches five years of age, except in certain circumstances in the case of an adopted child. The Act also provides an entitlement to...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The immigration division of my Department has no record of an application for an extension of permission to remain in the State from the person concerned. My Department has recently been in contact with him and requested him to submit documentation in respect of his proposed stay. On receipt of same, a decision will be made on the case.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application, made on behalf of the person in question for permission to operate a business in the State was received on 1 September 2004 and requests were issued for documentation to support the application. However, as no response was received the application was deemed to have been abandoned. If the person in question wishes to supply the documentation previously requested my Department...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets Bureau: Criminal Assets Bureau (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, as amended, is placed under the control of a High Court appointed receiver and is held in interest bearing accounts. Moneys collected under the Tax Acts go immediately to the Revenue Commissioners bank account for the benefit of the central fund. The following statistics relate to moneys seized or...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that currently there are 130 Garda stations equipped with audio or video facilities. A recently conducted Garda survey indicates that 98.1% of interviews as specified in the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations 1997 are now being recorded. Interviews are not recorded mainly because either the arrested person declines...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are no plans at present to introduce mental health courts. However, the Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill at present before the House, having been passed by the Seanad, provides for reform of the law on insanity as regards a range of criminal law matters. The Law Reform Commission is engaged in a consultation process on civil law in relation to legal capacity and I shall consider their...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department has no record of an application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy.