Results 6,861-6,880 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is not readily available and that research is necessary to retrieve the relevant data. I will be in further contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no doubt that trafficking in human beings is a global problem. Within the EU indications are that trafficking in human beings takes place on a much smaller scale than illegal immigration. However, the nature of trafficking in human beings, including its clandestine nature and the vulnerability of victims, is such that it is harder to identify and, therefore, quantify. Consequently,...

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was refused by my Department in early 2005. When assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for...

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

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

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

Michael McDowell: I assume the Deputy is referring to leave to remain applications from persons who are now over 18 years of age but who originally entered the State as unaccompanied minors and made asylum applications that were later refused. I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Question No. 91 on Wednesday, 23 November 2005. The consideration given to such cases is the same as that given to other leave...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Equality Act 2004 which was enacted on 18 July 2004 amended both the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 to give effect to EU equality directives, 2000/43/EC, race directive; 2000/78/EC, framework employment directive, and 2002/73/EC, gender equal treatment in employment directive. With this enactment, Irish national law is now fully compliant with the gender equal...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Legislation is urgently being prepared in my Department which will create a specific offence of trafficking human beings into, through or out of Ireland for the purpose their sexual and labour exploitation. The legislation which is at an advanced stage of preparation will provide for compliance with two EU framework decisions — the framework decision combating trafficking in persons and the...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 469 together. The person concerned arrived in the State on 27 October 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person concerned was informed by letter dated 10 August 2005 that the...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The vast majority of such crimes, including sexual offences, are committed by individuals with no diagnosed or treatable mental illness. In the small proportion of cases where a perpetrator has a previous history of mental illness or is diagnosed with a mental illness while serving a sentence, arrangements are undertaken to provide appropriate psychiatric intervention. In relation to...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects which are overseen by my Department in conjunction with the Garda Síochána are a crime prevention measure which aim, through both intervention and prevention, to divert young people from becoming involved in criminal activity. The number of projects has grown from 12 in 1997 to 64 at present through funding under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. A...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As with all offenders on determinate sentences, the individual concerned was, in accordance with statutory requirements, released from Arbour Hill Prison on completion of his sentence on 14 December 2005. In accordance with the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, members of the Garda Síochána, including the local superintendent were advised of the impending release. I am advised that...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that policing operations are a matter for the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that this matter is ongoing. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together. I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format sought by the Deputy and is currently being researched. I will be in contact with the Deputy in relation to this matter in due course.

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

Michael McDowell: The refugee in question made an application for family reunification under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 in August 2004. The commissioner submitted a report on the investigation to my Department in June 2005. The timeframe for processing such applications depends on the timeliness of the applicant's responses to requests for documentation and information from the Office of the Refugee...

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

Michael McDowell: The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in June 2004. The application was forwarded to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. The commissioner submitted a report on the investigation to my Department in January 2005. In the course of processing the application questions arose in...

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

Michael McDowell: When assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters, including whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant would fully honour the conditions of the visa such as whether it is likely that the applicant would overstay the length of time applied for. The visa officer will also have regard to information provided and to such...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (7 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 provides for the performance of unpaid work in the community by a person who is 16 years or over, who has been convicted of an offence for which the appropriate penalty would be an immediate custodial sentence and who has given his or her consent to the court. It has not been the practice for individuals on community service orders to...

Written Answers — Maternity Leave Entitlements: Maternity Leave Entitlements (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Advice on the law is not a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I can say that policy in the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004 is that an employee is entitled to additional unpaid maternity leave commencing immediately after the end of her maternity leave. The entitlement will increase from eight weeks to 12 weeks with effect from 1 March 2006 and to 16...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department's visa section on 27 January 2006, and is pending assessment. Applications are dealt with in date order and a decision on this case will be made in the near future.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 306, 307, 311 and 320 together. I refer the Deputies to the reply I gave to Questions Nos. 459 and 469 on Tuesday, 7 February 2006 in which I outlined the position. The enforcement of the deportation order is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.