Results 4,541-4,560 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I recently approved the application for a certificate of naturalisation of the person concerned. A letter informing her of my decision, as well as the final procedures which must be completed, is due to issue in the next few days.

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information that the Deputy has requested is as follows: Civil Legal Aid The sanctioned numbers of staff for the Legal Aid Board from 1997 to date are: 1997 212 1998 205 1999 282 2000 409* 2001 409* 2002 412* 2003 409* 2004 409* *Including a total of 140 staff sanctioned for the Refugee Legal Service. A total of 10.1 departmental, non-legal, whole-time equivalent...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 1 October, 2004. Dealing No. D2004CR009579Q refers. I understand that, due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer of part which was lodged in 2001. Dealing No. D2001CR004399D refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 3 June 2005.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transfer-charge which was lodged on 10 May 2005. Dealing No. D2005PS009825J refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 21 June 2005.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the numbers of cases where proceedings were commenced for offences relating to vehicles being untaxed and uninsured in the Garda division of Clare are as set out in the following table. Year Tax Insurance 2001 163 260 2002 635 751 2003 511 711 2004 496 675 January to April 2005 89 118

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take questions Nos. 383 and 384 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the official opening hours of each of the Garda stations in the Clare division as at 29 June 2005 is as set out in the following table: Station Hours Ennis 24 hours Crusheen 10 a.m. — 1 p.m....

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible within the timeframe involved to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when information is to hand.

Written Answers — CAB Investigations: CAB Investigations (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Criminal Assets Bureau investigations are not conducted by reference to particular counties or Garda divisions and that most investigations involve two or more different parts of the country. I am further informed that disclosure of results of any analysis which focused on particular counties or Garda divisions could interfere with the operation of...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that a consultation process on my proposals for a Bill to streamline and modernise the liquor licensing laws by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004 and replacing them with updated provisions more suited to modern conditions has recently concluded. I will take account of the views of organisations and individuals who responded to my request for submissions in the context...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that local drug task forces were established in 1997 on the basis of certain criteria which considered among other issues, levels of social disadvantage and Garda crime statistics. These criteria ensures that these areas received a high priority in relation to...

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Two community policing fora have already been established in the context of the national drugs strategy. These are operating on a pilot basis under the aegis of the north inner city and Finglas-Cabra local drugs task forces. My position on this matter is that the establishment of community policing fora in general needs to be delivered in the context of an appropriate policy framework for...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service continually monitors the effectiveness of its drug policies and already has a good knowledge of the levels and routes of supply of drugs in prison. Pending the implementation of the new drugs policy, which I intend to publish in the near future, it would be premature to undertake a wide-ranging review of all aspects of drug services in prisons. I have decided that the...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: This application was completed on 27 June 2005.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Before addressing the group 4 amendments, last evening in this Chamber, Senator Higgins made allegations in regard to the Garda Commissioner. He suggested in particular that he had misled the public. He suggested also that I had shown shock in public at a misleading statement of the Commissioner and further suggested that I had probably in private reprimanded him on that account. These were...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: He would not mislead the public in this way. The suggestion that I reacted by surprise or incredulity to his remarks is wholly malicious and completely false. The suggestion that I reprimanded or had a conversation in private with the Commissioner in regard to this issue is completely false. The suggestion that the Commissioner had any involvement, good, bad or indifferent, with the decision...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have nothing further to add.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: In the main, the purpose of the amendments made to the ombudsman commission provisions of the Bill was to provide for the appointment of a chairperson of the ombudsman commission. On Committee Stage in the Dáil, I accepted in principle the point made by Deputies Jim O'Keeffe and Joe Costello that it was desirable that one of the members of the commission should act as its titular head and as...

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Very rarely.

Seanad: Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not wish to criticise the model adopted in Northern Ireland but, for instance, the equivalent body for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police comprises three persons while in Britain a significant number of members make up its equivalent commission. This issue is one of practicality. The House should consider a few of the features of the legislation, one of which is that the ombudsman...