Results 5,421-5,440 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2005: Second Stage. (27 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: It would not be easy to do. I wish to put on the record of this House that of all the land that was offered in that process and adjudged suitable the cheapest was bought. Whatever way one looks at it that is the case although different impressions have been given. If another option had been chosen would this House have congratulated me for saving a lot of money by putting a farming family out...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2005: Second Stage. (27 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I aspire to staying a few more nights there at some stage. I agree with Senator Mansergh in that it is a pity that public procurement of land, especially when there is no CPO power attached to it, and even when there is, ends up with the taxpayer paying top dollar. That is the society in which we live. There is no easy alternative way of doing business without causing much reaction. The...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2005: Second Stage. (27 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I hope whatever replaces the prison will be of an equivalent if not better architectural standard. Those who lament the building's demolition should remember that what I propose to have built in north Dublin at Thornton Hall will be of a similar standard for both men and women, and young people currently in St. Patrick's Institution. That is good news. Senator Brady mentioned padded cells....

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Nov 2005)

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 6 May 2004. It has been assigned reference No. 68/1482/04. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. It is likely, therefore, that in the case of the application of the person concerned a decision will be...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: An internal dispute resolution procedure for Garda pensioners has been in place in my Department with effect from January 2005. The principal officer in the Department's financial shared services centre is responsible for complaints relating to the Garda Síochána superannuation scheme. The principal officer is the person who receives the complaint and who ultimately issues a notice of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 472 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that gardaí on patrol in Dublin city centre were made aware that an assault had taken place on the person referred to by the Deputy in the Dublin 2 area. Two gardaí attended the scene and commenced an investigation. One person was arrested and charged with assault. I am further informed that the...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason underlying the urgency.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on foot of a D-employment visa on 23 September 2000, as a work permit had been obtained by an employer in respect of her. She was granted permission to remain until 19 July 2001 on work permit conditions. Her employer did not seek to renew the work permit in respect of her. She subsequently took up employment with a new employer. However, this...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of persons killed on the roads for the years 2000 to 2004, inclusive, and to date in 2005 is set out in the following table. Year Number of fatalities on the roads 2000 415 2001 411 2002 376 2003 335 2004* 374* 2005* 323 to 1 November* * These figures are provisional, operational and liable to change. Members of the...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no data available on the number of checkpoints held in each county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005. The number of speed related fines and dangerous driving incidences for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are available in the Garda annual report 2000-2003, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have held meetings with Fingal County Council in relation to measures to control bonfires. A policing plan was prepared and was in operation over the Hallowe'en period. I understand that where bonfire material is located it is removed by Fingal County Council. I am further informed that additional resources, including public order units, were...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 14 October 2005 gardaí responded to a road traffic collision on the N2 at Coolquay, The Ward. The Garda response is being examined by Garda management. I am further informed that the Garda response to all emergency calls received is monitored by Garda management and is the subject of regular examination. An officer is appointed in each Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The cost of the development of the PULSE system was €61.33 million. The PULSE project was initiated in 1996 and development was completed in 2001. As a result of its size and complexity, the system was implemented in a number of phased releases commencing in November 1999 with the final release rolled out nationwide at the end of 2003. As with any major information technology system, there...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that gardaí have not issued a letter of exemption to the drivers of vehicles over three tonnes to enable them to use the Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown. I am further informed that in May 1996 a letter was supplied by gardaí at Ballyfermot Garda station to the directors of an engineering company acknowledging that their place of business was on...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 8 September 2004 and claimed asylum on 10 September 2004. The claim was investigated by the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The commissioner's recommendation was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 24 March 2005. This communication...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question have been approved on appeal by my Department.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Questions Nos. 137 and 138 of Thursday, 20 October 2005. The position as stated in that reply regarding the long-standing policy of the Government in not allowing asylum seekers take up employment remains and, so, the issue of a work permit does not arise.

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The current position in respect of the five members of the Garda Síochána in question is as follows. One member was transferred on 24 June 2005 but is now absent without leave and has been taken off the payroll. One member retired from the force before his transfer was to come into effect. One member appealed his transfer to the assistant commissioner, for human resource management. This...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware that at the time of the person's application in 2002 the services of the Garda central vetting unit were not available in relation to the particular employment in question. The Deputy will be aware that all organisations that recruit persons who would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults will shortly be entitled to avail of the vetting services of...

Written Answers — Victim Support Services: Victim Support Services (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Services assisting the victims of crime are supported through the work of the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime which I established in March 2005. The commission's term of office is for three years and its members are: Mr. Jim Mc Hugh, retired Garda assistant commissioner, Chairman; Ms Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Sean Lowry, former head of...