Results 6,761-6,780 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that the prisoner concerned has been seen on a frequent basis by the visiting psychiatric service to the prison, most recently on 6 January last. I also understand that he is scheduled to be further reviewed by the visiting psychiatric service in the future. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that he is currently receiving appropriate care within the prison system.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made an application for asylum on 18 October 1999. This application was refused on 17 August 2001 and appealed on 10 September 2001 to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The appeal was refused on the 18 February 2002 and a notification of proposal to deport from the State under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 together with the refusal to grant a declaration of refugee...

Written Answers — Civil Partnership: Civil Partnership (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As indicated by the Taoiseach on 24 January 2006 at the launch of the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution Report on the Family, I am in the process of establishing a working group to prepare an options paper on civil partnership. The group will consider the categories of partnerships and relationships outside of marriage, including same-sex couples, to which legal recognition...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the information requested in December 2005 in relation to the number of gardaí serving in each Garda station in each county was not readily available in the detail sought at the time. The information requested has now been compiled by the Garda authorities and I have issued it to Deputy Costello.

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 102 of 23 November 2005. I would remind the Deputy that the civilianisation programme approved by Government in 2001 is to be implemented on a phased basis over a number of years. I am pleased to point out that significant progress has been made with the appointment of 113 civilian finance officers who are doing the district finance officer...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Funding is made available through the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to several community policing fora which have arisen in the context of the Government's national drugs strategy. Two such fora operate on a pilot basis under the aegis of the north inner city and Finglas-Cabra local drugs task forces respectively. The north inner city community policing forum was...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Laytown Garda station as at 31 January 2006 was eight — all ranks. I am further advised that there are no plans to extend the opening hours of Laytown Garda station. The extension of the opening hours at the station would only serve...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 45 together. There is no plan to transfer part of the Mountjoy Prison site to the Mater Hospital. I have asked the Office of Public Works to prepare a development plan for the site. When finalised, this plan will include detailed proposals for the utilisation and development of the site and will also take account of issues to include heritage and...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made an application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of his marriage to an Irish national in September 2004. Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State solely on that basis. Applications of this type are dealt with on a strict chronological basis and, in fairness to all other applicants, take...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that no rooms in Wexford Garda station were equipped with audio or video equipment on 10 October 2002. As I indicated in reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 532 of 8 November 2005 and 474 of 22 November 2005, the equipment was installed in Wexford Garda station on 16 October 2002.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is open to any citizen to make representations to a public representative and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in this matter.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation file on this tragic death was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. Having considered the matter, he issued directions that no prosecution should ensue. The legal representatives of the family of the person referred to have been informed of the DPP's directions. My Department has today been furnished with a copy of...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The draft directive to which the Deputy refers has yet to be adopted. The question of any legal challenge that might be brought by Ireland in respect of this instrument would be determined on the basis of advice provided by the Attorney General and approval by the Government.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: My proposals for a Bill to reform comprehensively the legislation relating to coroners and the organisation of the coroner service were approved for drafting by the Government at the end of 2005. The details of the proposals are available on my Department's website. This legislation will radically overhaul and reform the coroner service. It will provide for a modernisation of the death...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the DNA section of the Forensic Science Laboratory analyses samples in a range of case types and compares profiles from these samples with profiles from suspects or injured parties. In a very small proportion of cases samples are sent abroad for analysis using certain specialised techniques, where in view of the limited requirement for such techniques it would not...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and I shall answer the question accordingly. I have made significant progress in implementing the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. One of the key measures in the Act provides for the establishment of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Last week the Dáil passed a resolution recommending three persons for...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: No directives falling under the remit of my Department are overdue for transposition. There are, however, nine directives which have yet to be transposed. Two of these have deadlines for transposition in 2006 and four have 2007 deadlines. The three remaining directives are Schengen-related measures and, as such, the deadlines for transposition apply to Schengen member states only. Ireland has...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are currently 64 Garda youth diversion projects, three of which — KEY, JAY and YEW — are operating in the Tallaght area. In addition, one sergeant and four Garda juvenile liaison officers from Tallaght Garda station are directly associated with these projects. I am committed to the continuing development and, as resources permit, the expansion of Garda youth diversion projects. A...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy arrived in the State on 18 October 1995 on a student visa. She had a child, born in the State, on 6 May 1996. She was granted residency in the State on the basis of her parentage of an Irish-born citizen child on 29 September 1997. She left Ireland in January 1998 and returned to Nigeria to be with her father-in-law who was ill at the time. He died in...

Written Answers — Law Reform Commission: Law Reform Commission (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 it is a function of the Attorney General to refer such matters to the Law Reform Commission for examination and recommendations. I have been in consultation with the Attorney General regarding the form in which the reference to the commission should take in the case referred to by the Deputy. I can confirm that the reference has been made. It asks the...