Results 461-480 of 18,478 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Second Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: Yes, although I am not happy to make a blanket statement that no security service mentioned in the Bill could ever be provided by gardaí. For example, I do not want to say it would be wrong for a garda to have an interest in a locksmith business. It is clearly inappropriate, however, for gardaí to act as door staff in venues with which other gardaí are likely to have business. This would...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am unaware of any visa application from the person concerned. The person had permission to remain in the State on the basis that she was attending an English language school. This permission expired on 6 January 2004. I am informed that she recently called to the registration office of the Garda National Immigration Bureau requesting that her permission to remain be renewed on the basis...

Written Answers — Land Transfers: Land Transfers (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the registrar of titles that this is an application for transfer of part which was lodged on 9 October 2003. I am further informed that this application is associated with an application for cessor of limited ownership which was also lodged on 9 October 2003. I am also informed that queries issued to the lodging solicitors on 26 March 2004 and that the applications cannot...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is developing child care provision under the national development plan through the provision of over €437 million, from Government and EU sources, for child care under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006, EOCP. To date we have allocated over €250 million which will lead to the creation of over 28,000 new child care places....

Written Answers — European Security: European Security (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: An extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council took place in Brussels on Friday, 19 March 2004. I convened the extraordinary Council so that the EU and member states could consider how best to respond to the atrocity in Madrid on 11 March 2004 and to the growing terrorist threat which we are all facing. The sole item for discussion on the agenda of the Council was the fight...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 30 October 2002. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation is 15 to 18 months at the present time. I understand that processing of the application of the person concerned is almost finalised. I am informed that officials...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I have indicated in my replies to previous parliamentary questions, the site in question is currently the subject of litigation and in the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to make further comment. Matters relating to the current lease arrangement are appropriate to the Office of the Public Works.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, operates under the aegis of my Department and is responsible for the provision of accommodation and services to asylum seekers under the system of direct provision. Persons from approximately 120 different nationalities are resident in centres operated by the RIA which encourages the establishment of support groups to assist asylum seekers to adjust...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. The purpose of the board is to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for judicial office. Section 16 of the Act requires the Government, when advising the President on the appointment of a person to a judicial office, to first consider persons...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy is serving a 12 month prison sentence for unauthorised interference with an MPV and lesser concurrent sentences for no insurance, assault causing harm and larceny. He is due for release in November 2004. I am of the view that it would be inappropriate to approve a move to an open centre at this early stage of his sentence. However, I have recently...

Written Answers — Terrorist Organisations: Terrorist Organisations (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I take it the Deputy is referring to the Provisional IRA. PIRA continues to exist and is proscribed pursuant to the provisions of section 18 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. For many years, certain members of this and previous Governments — myself included — have had meetings with a wide range of people in the context of advancing the peace process. The Deputy will be aware...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question were approved on appeal on 9 March 2004.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The immigration division of my Department requested documentation on this application from the person in question in December 2003. On receipt of this documentation a decision will be made on the application.

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together. Section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, which substitutes a new section for section 34 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, generally prohibits persons under the age of 18 years from being in the bar of licensed premises. However, a licensee may permit a child, a person under the age of 15 years, to be in the bar if the child is...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: Applications from three of the members of the family concerned have been received in the citizenship section of my Department. The first was received on 13 January 2003, the second on 7 January 2004 and the third on 26 January 2004. The average processing time is currently 15 to 18 months and the applications referred to by the Deputy will be processed according to the date they were...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: Arising from long-standing difficulties regarding the recruitment and retention of health care staff to work with prisoners, a group to review the structure and organisation of prison health care services was established in 1999. The report of this group, which was published in 2001, makes a total of 43 recommendations covering various aspects of prison health care, including GP, nursing,...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The accommodation requirements of the gardaí in Tallaght are currently being considered, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, with a view to finalising proposals in the very near future. Local Garda management is satisfied that there is currently a sufficient number of community gardaí attached to Tallaght Garda station.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 Mar 2004)

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 Rathcoole Garda station as at 29 March 2004 is 23, all ranks. This compares with a figure of 11 on 31 December 1997 and represents an increase of 12, or 109%, in the personnel assigned to Rathcoole Garda station since that date....

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, Tallaght, together with Athlone, Clondalkin and Waterford, is one of the four systems in phase 2 of the current CCTV installation programme throughout the State set to receive a new Garda town centre CCTV system. The experience to date with the installation of CCTV systems in other areas clearly indicates that to arrive at full commissioning can be a very lengthy...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware the Building Solidarity Across Communities report was funded by the KNOW Racism Programme, through which a grant of €2,000 was made available in July 2003. I would like to congratulate the South West Inner City Network for producing the report. Broadly speaking, the recommendations of the report are compatible with the structure of the draft National Action Plan...