Results 8,221-8,240 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Our legislative provisions for the granting of bail are very stringent. The sixteenth amendment of the Constitution provides for the refusal of bail to a person charged with a serious offence where it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person. The Bail Act 1997 gave effect to the amendment and tightened up the bail regime generally....

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Assets Bureau is an invaluable tool for law enforcement in the fight against organised crime. Since its inception in 1996, the bureau has had many major successes in seizing the ill-gotten gains of criminals. The Criminal Assets Bureau takes actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 to seize property and assets which have been shown in the High Court to be the proceeds of...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular format below. Table 1: The number of asylum applications received by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and details of those granted and refused at first instance. Year No. of Asylum Applications Received No. of Recommendations to grant refugee status (at first instance) Asylum Applications Refused (at first...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength, covering all ranks, of the Garda Síochána on 31 March 2006 was 12,439. That compares with a total strength of 10,702, covering all ranks, on 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737, or 16.2%, in the personnel strength of the force during that period. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: While the Garda authorities are satisfied that the technology required to assist in the fight against crime is available to them, the Garda Síochána constantly evaluates all available technology with a view to determining the technology best suited to its needs. Significant resources are being invested in technology for the gardaí to assist them in the exercise of all their functions. The...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ireland has extensive legislation in place to combat money-laundering activities. The main provisions in Irish law relating to money-laundering are set out in section 31 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended by section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001), sections 32 and 57 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and section 23 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: While I am responsible for providing the money for investment in the Garda fleet, it is a matter for Garda management to decide the allocation of the vehicles. Transport resources are allocated by Garda management in a way that best meets operational requirements and the maintenance of law and order. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of vehicles in Garda divisions...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Reclassification of criminal offences in the crime statistics is, in general, due to new legislation which creates new offences or repeals existing ones. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the ten offence groups used to show headline offences were first introduced in the Garda Síochána annual report of 2000 in conjunction with the introduction of the PULSE system. The changes to...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (3 May 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 15 September 2005. The average processing time for such applications is around 24 months at the present time. It is likely, therefore, that the case of the person referred to will be finalised in or around September 2007. I will inform the...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Information on the amount of money accruing on foot of payments from fixed charge notices and court fines in connection with which penalty points were imposed is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. All moneys received are surrendered to the Exchequer as extra exchequer receipts and are accounted for in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested is not readily available and is currently being researched by the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 27 April 2006.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications referred to by the Deputy in respect of the persons concerned were approved and the decision letter to this effect issued on 01 March, 2006 to the address on record on that date. The letter was returned undelivered, as the applicant had changed address. The change of address notification was received from the applicant on 20 March, and they were subsequently notified...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department on 7 April, 2006 and is currently awaiting examination by a visa officer. The application will be considered in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application from the person concerned for permission to remain in the State, made under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005 for the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005, is currently being processed and a decision will issue shortly. The applicant's passport has now been returned to him by registered post.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: A wrap around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to involve themselves in any activity or to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was granted. Every visa applicant is required to state on the application form the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (3 May 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 An 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 — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being researched. I will contact the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 4 on 27 April 2006, where I provided a comprehensive update on the significant progress being made in relation to civilianisation.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (3 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422 to 425, inclusive, together. In January, 2005 I announced a scheme whereby the non-national parents of children born in Ireland before 1 January, 2005 could apply for leave to remain in the State based on their parentage of those children. This so-called IBC(05) Scheme and its terms and conditions were widely advertised and its closing date was 31 March,...