Results 5,281-5,300 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 to 467, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that individuals have the opportunity to have complaints dealt with by the Garda Síochána complaints board or have them dealt with by the Garda authorities. The person named in the question has had complaints dealt with to a conclusion by the Garda Síochána complaints board....

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am considering my response to a number of communications received by and on behalf of the person in question dealing with, inter alia, the matter raised by the Deputy. My response will issue in due course.

Written Answers — Equality Legislation: Equality Legislation (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 prohibit discrimination in the provision of accommodation on nine grounds — gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. Being in receipt of a rent allowance is not of itself a discriminatory ground within the meaning of the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004. A review of...

Written Answers — Explosives Licences: Explosives Licences (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the question of whether the quarry to which he refers is an unauthorised development under the Planning and Development Acts 1963 to 2000 is entirely a matter for the local planning authority, in this case Monaghan County Council, or the planning appeals board and one in which I as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may not intervene. Any person wishing...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy was forwarded by me on 24 October 2005. The delay in providing the substantive information sought by him is regretted. However, the level of detail required to answer the question was not readily available in electronic format and, consequently, had to be compiled by hand. This required a detailed and exhaustive analysis of a very large number of files...

Written Answers — Compensation Claims: Compensation Claims (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Following a review of the criminal injuries compensation tribunal's commitments relative to its allocation for 2005, I understand that the tribunal is in a position to meet a number of the outstanding awards, either in part in the case of larger awards or in whole in the case of a number of smaller awards. The award referred to by the Deputy is one of the latter such cases and I understand...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together. The procedures to be applied in engaging consultants are set out in the Department of Finance guidelines on this subject which supplement the general guidelines relating to public procurement. Ministerial approval of individual contracts is not a requirement of these guidelines. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has also...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application for the person in question to join her spouse for the duration of his permission to remain in the State while a holder of a work permit has been approved.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that in response to the serious number of road traffic fatalities in the Inishowen area of County Donegal, a dedicated traffic corps unit has been established in Buncrana district in addition to traffic corps personnel already operating within the Donegal division. I am further informed that the unit will comprise one sergeant and four gardaí and...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: In regard to crime figures the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis 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...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The agency operates 75 accommodation centres across 24 counties. The agency entered into the current contract for the provision of full-board accommodation at Westward Court hostel, Tralee, County Kerry, commencing on 17 December 2004....

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy in regard to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The importation of machetes or machets is prohibited under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. A machete or machet is defined as an offensive weapon for the purpose of the 1990 Act which prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The law governing the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of fireworks is the Explosive Act 1875. The Deputy will be aware that last February I published a fireworks policy consultation document and initiated a process of consultation with a view to bringing forward proposals for amending and strengthening the provision in the 1875 Act. My Department has received a wide...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (25 Oct 2005)

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 Tallaght Garda station on 18 October 2005 was 173, all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station on 31 December 1997 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 40 or 30% in the number of personnel allocated to...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question.

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the detailed reply which I gave to Questions Nos. 655 and 663 on Tuesday, 18 October concerning the procedures in place to deal with allegations that some solicitors have double charged in respect of applications to the Residential Institutions Redress Board. The Law Society has put special additional measures in place to facilitate the making of complaints in these...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 441 on Tuesday, 4 October 2005 in which I set out the circumstances and background to this case and indicated that enforcement of the deportation orders made in this case was a matter for the Garda Síochána. It has not been possible in the time provided to receive a comprehensive report from the Garda Commissioner on this matter and I will...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that the case of the person referred to has already been examined and that it was necessary to seek clarification on a matter related to the completion of the statutory forms. This has now been resolved and I understand that the case will be finalised in the near future.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer to Question No. 365 of 11 October 2005 regarding this matter. I have been advised by my officials that the documents which were attached to the application were returned to the applicants with the exception of the birth certificate of the Irish-born child which is retained for all applications. My officials also advise me that a thorough check is being made of all correspondence from...