Results 5,621-5,640 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In 2001, the Government approved an extensive programme of civilianisation to be introduced on a phased basis over several years. This includes the posts referred to by the Deputy. The programme provided for the civilianisation of these posts in the short, medium and long term; the transfer of the finance function from Garda district clerks to civilian staff; and the transfer of civilian...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In accordance with the legislation establishing the National Disability Authority, the majority of the membership of the 13-person authority comprises persons with disabilities, their representatives, carers or family members; five members are persons with disabilities; and another two members represent families and carers of persons with disabilities. Details of the membership of other state...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 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 30 August 2005. The application was deemed ineligible on the basis that the person concerned did not meet the statutory residency criteria set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. This decision was communicated...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, 230 posts in the Land Registry are scheduled to relocate to Roscommon town. The following table gives details of the staff requirements and the numbers of applicants wishing to decentralise to the Land Registry Office in Roscommon. Grade Nos. of staff required Nos. of applicants* Principal officer 1 1 Assistant principal officer 5...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (8 Nov 2005)

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

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. Applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. A final...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (9 Nov 2005)

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

Written Answers — Joyriding Offences: Joyriding Offences (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is owned by Fingal County Council. The only access to this area is through privately owned land. I understand that as a result of advice, and co-operation with the gardaí, the private landowner has now limited the access to the area through his land. I am further informed that the most recent incident in the area concerned was...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy entered the State in March 2003 with her twin children. She was unsuccessful in her application for asylum and was informed that the Minister proposed to make deportation orders in respect of her and her children. Representations were made on behalf of the applicant. Following consideration of the file, deportation orders were signed in respect of the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: With effect from 1 January 1993, unsocial hours allowance, which covers night duty, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays was made pensionable under the Garda Síochána pension scheme. There are 1,446 Garda pensioners who retired prior to 1 January 1993 and who do not receive the benefit of unsocial hours allowance in their pensions. The current annual average rate of pension payable in...

Written Answers — Garda Remuneration: Garda Remuneration (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: With effect from 1 October 1982, the following allowances were made pensionable under the Garda Síochána pensions scheme, namely, those in respect of rent, instructor, transport, public service vehicles, radio, Ministers' drivers, substitution, sub-aqua, Gaeltacht, weights and measures and clerical. With effect from 1 January 1993, unsocial hours allowance, which covers night duty,...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 to 352, inclusive, together. My Department has a basic entry level contract with the company in question for vendor independent research material on the IT industry worldwide. The contract is for one senior official to have access to all the research material in question with regular reports on areas of special interest and also to request deeper analysis,...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In my response to Question No. 261 on 27 October 2005, I informed the House that I asked my officials to expedite the processing of the application of the person concerned. Processing is now almost finalised and I understand that the case file is due to be referred to me for a decision in the next few days. I will inform both the Deputy and the applicant when I have reached a decision in the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 501 of 8 November 2005, which set out the current position with regard to the proposed new Garda station for Leixlip. The Office of Public Works, taking into account constraints such as architecture and available space, will incorporate the requested changes into its plans. These changes and the manner in which they have been incorporated into...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and the information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table. This table lists the Garda stations in which evidential breath testing machines are installed and the number of breath tests conducted in each station for the years 2002 to 2004 as supplied by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. These figures may include tests...

Written Answers — Extradition Requests: Extradition Requests (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that I am unable to provide the Deputy with the information sought since to do so may have the effect of alerting some of the people concerned to the fact that a request has been received for their extradition or surrender. This could result in these persons having the opportunity to flee before the requests can be brought before the courts.

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department's arrangements for procurement and monitoring of expenditure are in line with established Government procedures and the Department's appropriation accounts are subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General in the normal way. Therefore, I refer the Deputy to the audited appropriation accounts and annual reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General for the years in...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (10 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 179, inclusive, together. I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 515 of the 8 of November 2005. As I stated, there was only one reason for refusal, namely the inconsistencies in the information supplied. These inconsistencies were clearly pointed out by e-mail to the spouse of the applicant on 28 October 2005. As stated previously,...

Written Answers — Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (10 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 513 of 2 November 2005. As the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is neither a police service nor falls within the scope of international mutual assistance agreements, these methods of providing assistance to and exchanging information with other jurisdictions are not available. However, subject to certain criteria, the Foreign Tribunals...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (10 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa in question has been approved on appeal.