Results 7,381-7,400 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 32 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that following correspondence from the person's family, and a meeting with senior Garda officers, the Garda Commissioner directed that a review of the original investigation into the death of the person be conducted. The review was carried out under the direction and supervision of a detective chief...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I outlined to Dáil Éireann in February 2004, I hope to be in a position to publish an edited version of the report in question in the future. However, as I also indicated in the Dáil, this could not be done while criminal proceedings were outstanding against the person who made the allegations which were referred to the Nally group. These proceedings remain outstanding. It is not, nor...

Written Answers — Disability Act 2005: Disability Act 2005 (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: All parts of the Disability Act 2005 for which I have responsibility have been commenced with the exception of Part 6 which provides for the establishment of a centre for excellence in universal design in the National Disability Authority, NDA. Part 6 will commence on 1 January 2007. The commencement of Part 2 is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children, in consultation with...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: A programme of preliminary works including landscaping is currently under way at Thornton Hall. Planning for the development of a new prison facility is continuing. This is aimed at providing a new modern facility to replace the crowded and unsuitable conditions in Mountjoy and to end the practice of slopping out.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the number of community gardaí, all ranks, which have been attached to each Garda station in the Dublin metropolitan region, as at 31 December 2001-2005, inclusive, was as set out in the following tables: 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 ...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 58 together. I presume the Deputies are referring to the contents of my reply to Question No. 12 of 2 February 2006. In that reply, I dealt with the issue of female genital mutilation in Nigeria and the entitlement or otherwise to refugee status on this basis in the State. As I also indicated, it is not for me to determine who is and who is not a...

Written Answers — National Identity Card: National Identity Card (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government has not yet considered the issue of introducing a national identity card. As Ireland shares a land border and a common travel area with the United Kingdom, I have been closely monitoring developments in the UK in relation to the introduction of the identity card scheme. My main concerns are the implications for the common travel area and for Irish people travelling to, living...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 159 together. The person concerned entered the State as an unaccompanied minor in October 1999 and applied for asylum. Normal immigration controls were not applied to her and her entry to the State without a passport or valid form of identification was allowed for the sole purpose of having an asylum claim determined. In May 2000, she withdrew her claim...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 44 together. I am not clear what the Deputies mean when they refer to anomalies or unique circumstances pertaining to or surrounding applications for asylum from nationals of Somalia. There is a statutory framework governing the asylum determination process in Ireland set out in the Refugee Act 1996 and it is not for me as Minister to determine who is...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The deportation operation referred to by the Deputy involved the return of 13 Chinese nationals to their country of origin by charter flight on 21-22 February 2006. This charter flight arrangement was made principally because some of the persons being returned had, by their disruptive behaviour, frustrated previous attempts to have them removed from the State. In regard to the escort levels...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers and has a portfolio of 65 centres across the State for this purpose. In March 2005 there was a total of 8,080 asylum seekers being accommodated by the RIA. Approximately 3,500 residents applied for leave to remain in the State under the Irish born children measures announced on...

Written Answers — Independent Monitoring Commission: Independent Monitoring Commission (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Independent Monitoring Commission, IMC, was established following an agreement between the Governments of Ireland and of the United Kingdom done at Dublin on 25 November 2003. The costs of the commission are shared equally by the British and Irish Governments. For practical purposes, the full costs of the IMC are met by the Northern Ireland Office. The Northern Ireland Office then...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: In relation to bail in general, during the term of office of the rainbow coalition the number of prisoners on temporary release reached an all time high of 20% at one stage. As a result of the action of this Government this so called revolving door system operated by the rainbow coalition has been stopped and the percentage of the prison population on temporary release now is approximately...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Thirteen adults, 11 males and two females, were deported to Beijing in China by charter flight on 21-22 February 2006 at a total cost of €255,539. This was the first such charter flight to China and, because of the long distance between Dublin and Beijing, it required two fuel stopovers in Leipzig, Germany and Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The flight had a medical team of a doctor and nurse. The...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers and currently has a portfolio of 65 centres across the State for this purpose. In March 2005 there was a total of 8,080 asylum seekers being accommodated by the RIA. Approximately 3,500 residents applied for leave to remain in the State under the Irish born children measures...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 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 28 September 2004. The average processing time for such applications is 24 months at present. It is likely, therefore, that the application of the person concerned will be finalised in or around September this year. I will advise the Deputy...

Written Answers — Adult Cautioning Scheme: Adult Cautioning Scheme (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that 13 offences listed in the adult cautioning scheme became operational on 1 February 2006. Offences deemed appropriate for inclusion in the scheme were arrived at through consultations between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Garda Síochána. Summary offences, with the exception of serious Road Traffic Act offences and...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The purchase of a site for a new Garda station at Castleisland has been completed and I understand from the Garda authorities that a brief of requirements for the new station is being prepared. On receipt of the brief by my Department, it will be dealt with immediately and the Office of Public Works will be requested to progress the building of the new station. There will be no unavoidable...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 26 August 2001 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed by letter dated 22 October 2004 that the...

Written Answers — Equal Status Acts: Equal Status Acts (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the publication of this report which provides an important insight into the inequality and the stereotyping of young people today as perceived by the young people themselves. The report will be of interest to all groups who engage with young people. I do not, however, agree with the Equality Authority that there is an urgent need to extend the provisions of the Equal Status Acts on...