Results 7,921-7,940 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Commissioner, in a comprehensive submission to me on the Garda reserve, has proposed that the powers of reserve members will be confined to the enforcement of certain aspects of the following Acts: under the Road Traffic Acts — demanding driving licences and insurance details, enforcing the wearing of seat belts, etc.; under the Public Order Act — dealing with the offences of...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The National Safety Council, NSC, as the agency mandated with responsibility for road safety education and information, operates a dedicated penalty point website, www.penaltypoints.ie. I understand that the website has recently been redesigned-updated in the context of the extension of the penalty point system. In addition, the NSC ran a public education-awareness campaign about the new...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 717 together. As the Deputy is aware, there is a transparent statutory framework governing the asylum determination process in Ireland set out in the Refugee Act 1996. The 1996 Act established two independent statutory offices to consider applications and appeals in respect of refugee status and to make recommendations to the Minister for Justice,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 617 and 718 together. As the Deputy is aware, there is a statutory framework in place, as set out in the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, governing the asylum determination process in Ireland. This Act, inter alia, provided for the establishment of two statutory independent offices to consider asylum applications and appeals and to make recommendations to the...

Written Answers — Paternity Leave: Paternity Leave (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is currently no statutory entitlement to paternity leave. However, many employers in both the public and private sectors have arrangements in place providing short periods of paid paternity leave. Paternity leave was considered in the context of a review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. The working group comprised the social partners,...

Written Answers — Domestic Partnerships: Domestic Partnerships (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together. The Deputy will appreciate that the manner of operation of the working group on domestic partnership is a matter for itself under its terms of reference which charge the group with preparing an options paper on domestic partnership for presentation to me on 20 October 2006. The terms of reference are to consider the categories of...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all members of the Garda traffic corps have successfully completed the standard garda driving course, which is the level of training required for members assigned to the traffic corps. I am further informed that driver training programmes and training needs are continually revised and updated to reflect best international practice.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 or 16.2% in the personnel strength of the force during...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have not received any recommendations in respect of the night closure of certain Garda stations, however, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a review group was tasked with conducting an impact assessment of the possible closure-reduced opening-amalgamation of Garda stations in the Dublin metropolitan region. I understand that this report has been completed and is currently...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the visa office in New Delhi on 21 February 2006. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa applications in question were approved on 6 April 2006.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 14 May 2004. I am advised by my officials that processing of the application of the person concerned is due to commence in the near future. As soon as full consideration has been given to this application, I will advise both the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 14 May 2004. I am advised by my officials that processing of the application of the person concerned is due to commence in the near future. As soon as full consideration has been given to this application, I will advise both the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of burglaries have occurred in the area referred to by the Deputy and are being investigated by the gardaí at Pearse Street Garda station. Local Garda management is satisfied with the current level of policing in the area, which includes patrolling by uniformed and detective gardaí supplemented by the divisional crime task force, the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 or 16.2% in the personnel strength of the force during...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 or 16.2% in the personnel strength of the force during...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The procurement of a managed digital radio service is being undertaken by the Department of Finance on behalf of the Garda Síochána, other blue light services and some non-commercial public bodies. An EU-based restricted tender procedure is currently underway and the first stage of short-listing suppliers has been completed. It is planned that tender documents will be issued to these...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can assure the Deputy that the Government takes very seriously its role in the development of a caring, tolerant and fair society through the implementation of appropriate policies. With regard to combating racism and managing diversity, this Government has already set out its policy in the national action plan against racism, NPAR. The NPAR is a comprehensive statement of the Government's...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí in Clontarf are aware of the ongoing problem of illegal parking of heavy goods vehicles in the area referred to and, in conjunction with the divisional traffic corps, are in the process of identifying the owner or owners of these vehicles in order to interview them regarding this activity. Local Garda management will continue to monitor...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question is the subject of an application for family reunification which was made by his wife in July 2005. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. When this investigation is completed, the commissioner will prepare and forward a report to my Department. Upon receipt of this...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the citizenship section of my Department in March 2004. I am advised by my officials that processing of the application of the person concerned is almost complete and is due to be submitted to me for a decision in the near future. I will inform the Deputy and the applicant...