Results 6,821-6,840 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Foreign Secret Services Abductions: Foreign Secret Services Abductions (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána, which is the authority in this jurisdiction responsible for the investigation of such matters, has no knowledge of any such alleged abductions.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 28, 36 and 159 of 2 February 2006.

Written Answers — Adoptive Leave: Adoptive Leave (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Adoptive Leave Acts 1995 and 2005 provide for a leave entitlement, similar to maternity leave, to adopting mothers after the placement of a child into their care. The provisions of the Acts are modelled on existing arrangements for natural mothers. Adoptive leave entitlement also applies to sole male adopters and, in exceptional circumstances, to adopting fathers in the event of the death...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 433 to 435, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident in question is currently the subject of an investigation by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board. I am further informed that a superintendent of An Garda Síochána has been appointed to investigate these complaints under section 6 of the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Traffic Management: Traffic Management (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The proper management of traffic issues, particularly those relating to public safety, will constitute an extremely important aspect of the planning of the proposed development. The expert committee was fully aware of this issue during the course of its deliberations. I should advise the Deputy that he is incorrect in his assertion that I campaigned for the closure of the Centre for Public...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application in question was received in my Department on 11 August 2005. The application sought to enable a non-EEA national join her spouse, who is an Irish citizen, in the State. Having given full consideration to the matter, the visa was refused because my Department was not satisfied, on the basis of documentation provided, that an adequate relationship history existed between the...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: An examination for promotion from the prison officer grade to the assistant chief officer grade was held over a number of days in 2000. Following numerous representations and complaints from concerned parties, the view was taken that the results from stage one of the exam may have been compromised. Arising out of this conclusion, a decision was taken to allow all prison officers who presented...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation. : Diplomatic Representation. (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 2 February 2006 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs which indicated that the decision was taken exclusively on consular grounds, for which my advice is neither required nor necessary.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question applied for permission to remain in Ireland 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. It is a requirement under the revised arrangements that each applicant is resident with the child on a continuous basis since the child's birth and that evidence of such residence...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: There were 138 prisoners in custody in Arbour Hill Prison as of 1 February 2006. I have no plans at present to make any change to the current prison site.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ireland has successfully applied to operate elements of the Schengen arrangements that are not concerned with the abolition of border controls. Before Ireland can become a party to the relevant portions of the Schengen acquis, it will be necessary for us to put in place an extensive set of legal and technical measures. This task is being co-ordinated by my Department and will be completed as...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Feb 2006)

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

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the area referred to is policed by gardaí at Clontarf Garda station. Garda management states that community policing is a central feature and core value in policing policy of local Garda management. Additional resources have been allocated to the community...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question, a Nigerian national, arrived in the State on 2 May 2005. She gave birth to a female child in the State on 3 July 2005. As the child in question was born in Ireland after 1 January 2005 she does not enjoy the right of automatic citizenship as applied to children born before that date. The person in question claimed asylum, subsequent to the child's birth, and indicated...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ennis is one of the 11 remaining locations nationwide which form part of the Garda CCTV programme. Following recommendations from the Garda authorities, I have approved the implementation of six new Garda CCTV systems. With the addition of these six new locations a total of 17 Garda town centre CCTV systems, including Ennis, will be implemented in Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar,...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 421 to 423, inclusive, together. The internal departmental correspondence to which the Deputy refers, and which was released under the Freedom of Information Act, arose during the preparation of proposals to significantly widen eligibility for membership of the Garda Síochána. The background to this matter is that, in the context of the current major...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Garda management states that assistant commissioner DMR is currently reviewing the deployment of mountain bikes in the DMR with a view to the expansion and establishment of new units. Garda management further states that arrangements are in place for training to be delivered throughout 2006 nationally. The first delivery of mountain bikes for 2006 has been received and they will be deployed...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (7 Feb 2006)

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

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have contacted the person's representative seeking any available documentation or other forms of information which would support stated allegations of wrongdoing. However, no such information has, to date, been forthcoming. In the circumstances, I do not consider that any further action is warranted at this time, including examination of any Garda records by any person. The Director of...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The national disability strategy, launched by the Government in September 2004, underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society by building on existing policy and legislation. The key elements of the strategy are: the Disability Act 2005; the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill; the multi-annual investment programme; and the outline sectoral plans published by six Departments....