Results 5,021-5,040 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (11 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Legislation is being drafted by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, which will enable the engagement of the private sector in the provision and operation of speed cameras. The Garda Síochána, as the traffic law enforcement agency in the State, will be responsible for the outsourcing project. The Garda authorities inform me they have commenced preparatory work with regard to the...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 to 360, inclusive, together. I propose to take these questions together as they all concern the illegal and harmful uses of the Internet. The Internet is an international and world-wide phenomenon with no borders and no single organisation controlling it. Measures to combat child pornography or other illegal materials and activities on the Internet are...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question was received on 11 August 2005 and refused by my Department. The visa application was refused for two reasons. First, the visa officer was not satisfied that a previous relationship history existed between the applicant and the reference in Ireland. Second, financial information was not provided, therefore the visa officer could not be satisfied that there...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 371 together. The report submitted to me by Mr. Shane Murphy SC followed his independent review and thorough examination of the Garda Síochána papers relating to the making by Mr. Dean Lyons of false inculpatory statements in the course of the Garda investigation into the murders of Mary Callinan and Sylvia Sheils on 6-7 March 1997. Consequently, it...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to compile the statistics requested by the Deputy. I will of course contact the Deputy again when the figures are to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Negotiations with the preferred supplier for the outsourced fixed charge payment collection system are currently in the final stages and are expected to be finalised very shortly. This will clear the way for the existing fixed charge processing system to be rolled out nationwide and in the process made more Garda resources available for operational duties.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The original tender price for the development of the fixed charge processing system was just under €9 million. This was a fixed charge contract and was delivered within budget. The company has also been contracted to carry out additional works in the order of €4.5 million. These were agreed under the change control procedures provided for in the contract and their delivery was monitored...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 424 of 19 April 2005, 199 of 21 April 2005 and 988 of 28 September 2005. In those replies I informed the Deputy that I had decided to refuse an application from the person concerned. I set out the basis for my decision and I also informed the Deputy that a new application from the person concerned had been received in the citizenship section...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that there is no record of a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship having been lodged by the person concerned. In fact, since he only married on 24 July 2003, he is not eligible to make such a declaration at this time and will not be eligible to make such a declaration prior to the ending of the scheme of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 114 posts from Garda headquarters are scheduled to relocate to Thurles. The decentralisation implementation group reported to the Minister for Finance on 30 June 2005 and gave early 2008 as the indicative date for completion of the building to house all the civil servants who are moving to Thurles. As an advance move, the Garda Central...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, have informed me that the personnel strength of each Garda station in the Longford, Westmeath division at the end of each year 1997 to 2004, inclusive, and as at 12 October 2005 was as set out in the accompanying table. Corresponding figures sourced from the 2002 census of...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities inform me that audio and video recording facilities for recording of Garda questioning of detained persons is installed in 130 Garda stations. It should be noted that it was never the intention that all Garda stations would be equipped to carry out audio and video recording of interviews. Rather the intention was that a sufficient number of interview rooms in Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, inform me that the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar are policed by gardaí attached to Ballybofey Garda station, Donegal division. The personnel strength of Ballybofey Garda station is currently 19, of all ranks. Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, have informed me that the personnel strength, of all ranks, of each Garda station in County Kildare is as set out in the accompanying table. Station 12/10/2005 Naas 81 Clane 5 Kill 3 Celbridge 18 Maynooth 15 Kildare 27 Newbridge 32 Robertstown 3 Kilcullen 3...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform makes funding available for school age child care services as part of the equal opportunities child care programme, EOCP, 2000 to 2006. In June 2005, I announced the publication of a report of a working group of the national child care co-ordinating committee, entitled School Age Childcare in Ireland. The report makes a number of...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: In the light of the range of the Department's responsibilities and the number of agencies under its aegis, the response to this question will contain a considerable and varied amount of information. This information has been compiled but, in the time available, it has not been possible to collate it in the format required by the Deputy. The collated information will be forwarded within the...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 378 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that two formal complaints alleging breaches of domestic and international law were made in October and December 2004. Both complaints were thoroughly investigated by the Garda Síochána and extensive investigation files were submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. In both instances,...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: A wide range of organisations come within my Department's aegis, all of which make use of information technology systems in varying ways to deliver upon their objectives. I am satisfied that the application of information technology across these public services is contributing to improved delivery and value for money. While, depending on the scale and purpose of the systems in question, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Responsibility for funding helpline and similar services to women who are victims of violence is a matter for the Department of Health and Children. My Department has raised the issue referred to with that Department and has been informed that a meeting is scheduled in the near future between Women's Aid and the Health Service Executive, at which funding matters will be discussed. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Civil Service posts at the levels of assistant secretary and deputy secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the committee for performance awards. The funding for awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within this overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals. Details of...