Results 7,261-7,280 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Outdoor Events: Outdoor Events (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The control and direction of the Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources, is vested with the Garda Commissioner. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that a comprehensive policing and security plan is in place for the football match mentioned in the Deputy's question, which will include high-visibility patrolling on all adjacent roads and streets. Local Garda...

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

Michael McDowell: The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in our New Delhi visa office on 24 February 2006. Visa applications are processed as speedily as possible having regard to the numbers on hand and the resources available to process them. The applications referred to by the Deputy are currently pending examination by a visa officer and a decision is expected in the very near future.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that they will shortly be submitting proposals to my Department regarding Greystones Garda station. When received, discussions will take place with the Office of Public Works to progress the project as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Visiting Dignitaries: Visiting Dignitaries (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 to 477, inclusive, together. As the Deputies will be aware, it is standard practice for visiting Heads of State to make the Government and the Garda Síochána aware of any intention to visit this State, and this practice was adhered to with regard to President Bush's recent stopover. It is not policy to discuss specific matters of security for the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is referring to applications for leave to remain made pursuant to section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 as amended. Leave to remain in these circumstances arises where a non-national is served with a notice of intent to deport under section 3(3)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999. Persons served with such a notice of intent, including persons refused refugee status and...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The introduction of the PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 has led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. Consequently, the statistics provided for 1997 are not comparable to statistics provided for 2000 and subsequent years. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the totals for offences...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy about this matter when it becomes available.

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

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Ennis district in the Clare division. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of Ennis Garda district as at 31 December 1997, 2000 and 2002 to 2005, inclusive, was as set out in the following table: Date Strength ...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was not requested by the immigration division of my Department to withdraw their application for residency based solely on marriage to an Irish national in favour of their application made under EU regulations. Legal representatives of the person in question were contacted by phone by an officer of my Department and advised of the timeframes involved in processing the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Mar 2006)

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 March 2005 and, in the normal course, it would fall to be finalised in or around March 2007. However, the person concerned entered the State in January 2001 and was resident here for less the statutory five year period at the time of his...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that international co-operation between law enforcement agencies is achieved in a number of ways, including the exchange of strategic and operational intelligence on the activities and modus operandi of criminal networks and organisations. The Garda Síochána has an excellent level of co-operation with police forces from other jurisdictions through...

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

Michael McDowell: Road safety in the context of bilateral relations is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen. He has informed me that following the ministerial meeting of the transport sectoral group of the British-Irish Council on 9 February 2006 he exchanged letters with the UK Minister of State for Transport in which they agreed to enter into bilateral arrangements on...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: All Government Departments and agencies which are responsible for dealing with road safety related issues are extremely aware of the urgent necessity of bringing about a steady reduction in the numbers killed and seriously injured on our roads. Government policy in this area is set out in the Government's document, Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006. The strategy sets out an ambitious range of...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is a particular overriding necessity, in view of the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms, to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in any review of policy and legislation on firearms. With this in mind I propose to bring forward a wide range of amendments to the Firearms Acts 1925-2000 in the context of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is before...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: In the context of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is awaiting Committee Stage in the House, I propose to bring forward a wide range of amendments which will strengthen the law governing the control of firearms. Included in these proposals are measure which will include the introduction of new offences concerning the modification of firearms such as "sawing off" a shotgun; increases in...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my comprehensive statements to both Dáil and Seanad Éireann on 28 February and 2 March 2006, respectively.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: A number of data sources are used to determine the extent of drug usage within society. These include drug treatment and law enforcement data as well as official survey data at national level. The joint prevalence survey undertaken in partnership between the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, NACD, and the Drugs and Alcohol Information and Research Unit, DAIRU, in Northern Ireland is...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the Courts Service Act 1998, the provision of information on the courts system is a matter for the Courts Service. The latest published statistics on the operation of the courts are to be found in the Courts Service annual report for 2004, a copy of which may be found in the Oireachtas Library and on the website of the Courts Service, www.courts.ie.

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

Michael McDowell: As part of the preparation for Garda recruitment campaign in 2004, I asked the Garda Commissioner to review the eligibility criteria for entry to the Garda Síochána in so far as it related to the maximum age of entry. This arose from the need to implement Directive 2000/78/EC, which, inter alia, prohibits discrimination in employment on the grounds of age. In November 2004, on foot of...

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

Michael McDowell: 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 Minister proposed to make a deportation order in...