Results 5,981-6,000 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations into illegal diesel laundering in the Border area are ongoing in conjunction with Customs and Excise and the environmental unit at Louth County Council. The toxic sludge is a residue from a diesel laundering operation which has been dumped along the border area of County Louth. The Garda authorities inform me that the prime suspects...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of Tuesday 22 November 2005 and the written reply to that question. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 22 November 2005 there were 33 vehicles parked at the location mentioned. Four vehicles had no tax displayed and an additional four vehicles had no tax or insurance certificate displayed. Fines on the spot notices are issued to unattended cars that are not displaying current tax discs. Any such vehicles when found to be in use at the location are...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are nine recorded incidents of criminal damage to cars at the location concerned since the beginning of 2005. Two culprits have been made amenable for two of the incidents. One culprit is currently charged and before the courts and the second culprit is being dealt with under the juvenile diversion programme. I am further informed that there...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Parliamentary Question No. 502 on Tuesday, 22 November 2005. My position remains the same.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (24 Nov 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 contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A professional security company has been engaged to control and monitor access to the site. The contract was placed following a competitive tender process. The weekly cost of the contract is approximately €970 per week.

Written Answers — Strategic Management Initiative: Strategic Management Initiative (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda SMI report makes recommendations on the reorganisation of Garda regions, divisions and districts throughout the country. However, the position has changed significantly since the consideration of these issues under the strategic management initiative, in that the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which enables the most fundamental modernisation of the Garda Síochána since the foundation...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 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 12 July 2005. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months at the present time. It is likely, therefore, that the case will be finalised in or around the middle of 2007. I will be in touch with both the Deputy and the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A declaration of acceptance of Irish citizenship as post-nuptial citizenship was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 21 July 2005 from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. I understand that my officials recently wrote to the person concerned to clarify some matters on the declaration. Processing of the declaration will continue when a reply to the letter is...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in November 2004. A decision has recently been made on this application and the person in question has been informed of same.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (24 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 2 June 2005. Based on the volume of applications on hands, it is likely that the application of the person concerned, who has been granted refugee status, will be finalised in or around the end of 2006. I will be in touch with both the Deputy...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The applicant in question applied for permission to remain in the State on the basis of having an Irish-born child prior to 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. One of the conditions of these revised arrangements is that the parent must have been continuously resident in the State since the birth of the Irish-born child and that...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information provided in the parliamentary question of 9 November 2005 refers to breath tests taken at Garda stations using an intoxilyser. These tests are taken after an arrest for drink-related driving has been made. The decision as to whether a breath test using an intoxilyser or whether a blood or urine sample is required is a matter of discretion for the arresting Garda. This is...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the provisions of the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995 to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for appointment to judicial office. Information on the number of applications received for the various judicial offices may be found in the annual reports of the board, copies of which...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (24 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 — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In light of the short timescale and the number of agencies under the Department's remit, it has not been possible for my Department to prepare details of the number of former employees currently employed on contract. In 2004 the number of former, that is retired, civil and public servants employed on a contract basis was 23. The majority of people employed on this basis are assigned to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A key element of the Government's decentralisation programme is the selection of Longford as the location for the headquarters of the Irish Prison Service. It is expected that the building of the new headquarters will commence later this year and it is scheduled for occupation in early 2007. The question of recruiting new civil servants to transfer to Longford by way of open competition does...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (29 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In its report that was published recently, the auctioneering and estate agency review group recommended that all auctioneering, estate agency, property letting and property management agencies be licensed and regulated by a new regulatory authority. Following Government approval, my Department is preparing legislation to give effect to the new property services regulatory authority. In the...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (29 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The applications referred to by the Deputy were for family members to join their parents in the State. The parents were granted permission to remain in the State based on parentage of an Irish born child. On 18 July 2003 the Government announced its policy on non-nationals in the above circumstances. On family reunification and Irish born children it was announced that there is no presumption...