Results 7,421-7,440 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (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 Garda recruits in each year from 2000 to 2005 was as set out in the following table. Year Number 2000 496 2001 497 2002 547 2003 687 2004 518 2005 1,125 Detailed statistics on the number of these recruits who had graduate or...

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

Michael McDowell: Entry to the Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988, as amended. In September 2004, I obtained Government approval to make certain changes to the criteria set out in these regulations. These changes will open up entry to the Garda Síochána to persons in Ireland from all parts of the community and from all ethnic backgrounds. This...

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

Michael McDowell: The persons concerned arrived in the State on 2 March 2001 and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following independent consideration of their cases by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. They were informed in letters dated 28 August 2002 that their asylum applications had been refused and that, as a result, I...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: St. Patrick's Day is a unique event in the global calendar. On 17 March, the world's attention turns to Ireland and all things Irish. Our national day is celebrated by millions of people from Beijing to Brussels and Sydney to Seattle. This goodwill and attention offers an unrivalled opportunity to promote modern Ireland overseas and to engage directly on a variety of issues. In deciding on...

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

Michael McDowell: The number of nationals of the United States of America who have been served with deportation orders between 2002 and to date is eight.

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have received correspondence from and on behalf of the person referred to in the Deputy's question. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are three complaints on record in respect of this matter. The first complaint was deemed admissible by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board and an investigating officer was appointed. However, the Garda Siochana Complaints Board took no...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (9 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 in relation to 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,...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since I took the decision to publish crime statistics on a quarterly basis at the beginning of 2003, I have consistently emphasised that care must be taken in interpreting the statistics, especially when considering short-term fluctuations and extrapolating trends over short periods. The level of headline crime in 2005 is actually lower than that for 2003 by 1.6% and for 2002 by 4.4%....

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 178, 180 and 183 together. The Garda Síochána employs a range of techniques in the fight against serious crime. The establishment of specialist Garda units, operating under the assistant commissioner in charge of national support services, has enabled the Garda Síochána to tackle organised crime effectively. The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation...

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

Michael McDowell: The timescale for achieving the target strength of 14,000 members of the Garda Síochána, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, remains as when I announced the Government's approval in October 2004 for my proposals to achieve this objective. The phased increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 will lead to a combined strength, of both attested...

Written Answers — Firearms Regulations: Firearms Regulations (9 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the Firearms Acts 1925-2000, it is unlawful for any person to possess, use or carry a firearm unless authorised by a firearm certificate granted by a superintendent of the Garda Síochána. Before granting such certificate the superintendent must be satisfied that the person seeking it has a good reason for requiring the firearm in question, does not pose a danger to public safety or...

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 7 March 2005 and claimed asylum. Her asylum claim was independently investigated by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of whom concluded that she did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The person concerned had her case considered under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed that no further information has been received from the person in question relating to his marital status. The person in question was married according to a traditional marriage ceremony. I understand that information received by my Department indicates that the marriage is not recognised as a civil marriage in the country where it took place. The onus is on the applicant...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 148 on 26 January 2006. This application is still with the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996.

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 9 August 2002 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 Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 29 August 2003 that the...

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 22 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 Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 16 February 2006, that the...

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

Michael McDowell: The second named person concerned was granted leave to remain in the State on 24 January 2005 on the basis of being a family dependant of a person who had permission to remain in the State based on parentage of an Irish born child. The fact that the second named person is now married will not affect her residency in the State. As there is no separate procedure for considering residency based...

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 1 July 2005 and claimed asylum. His asylum claim was independently investigated by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of which concluded that he did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The person concerned had his case considered under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as...

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

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 149, 181, 249, 215 of 26 January, 9 February, 16 February and 2 March, respectively, and a reply given to a Dáil Adjournment debate on 23 February in relation to this case. It must be again emphasised that the person concerned is not being returned to her country of origin but rather to Belgium. She had lodged a previous asylum claim...

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 4 October 2003 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 23 March 2005 that the...