Results 821-840 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I indicated previously to the Deputy, in reply to Question No. 462 of 23 March 2004, the person referred to is serving a cumulative sentence of 18 months for the unauthorised taking of an MPV, criminal damage, no insurance, assault and trespass. The sentence was reduced from two years, by the court, on appeal on 27 February 2004. The prisoner is currently scheduled for release, with...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: When the equal opportunities childcare programme 2000-2006 was initially launched, it was envisaged that grant applications would be announced on a quarterly basis, to tie in with the anticipated timeframe to process the project applications. However, practice revealed that some applications required extensive consultation before a recommendation could be made while others were complete in...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that these are two applications for a copy folio and special features map which were both lodged on 30 October 2003. Application numbers C2003SM005276U and C2003SM005275T refer. I can inform the Deputy that application number C2003SM005276U was completed on 27 April 2004 and that application number C2003SM005275T was completed on 29 April 2004.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: An application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 22 May 2003. Applications for naturalisation are currently taking approximately 18 months to process. Consequently, it is likely that the application of the person concerned will be finalised in late 2004. As soon as I have reached a decision on the...

Written Answers — Drug Courts: Drug Courts (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The pilot drug court programme was launched in the Dublin District Court on 9 January 2001 and the first sitting took place on 16 January 2001. Dublin's north inner city was chosen as the location from which to operate the pilot drug court. The pilot drug court programme marked a major policy initiative in the criminal justice system and was designed as an alternative measure for dealing with...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: An application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 4 July 2002. The application is currently being processed and I will inform both the applicant and the Deputy once a decision has been reached.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Garda authorities that there are no plans to relocate the station referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 1 November 2002. I considered this application on 5 March 2004 and decided not to grant the application. That decision was based on information available to me at that time. The applicant was informed of my decision in writing on 25 March 2004. A copy of the submission that was...

Written Answers — Garda Pensions: Garda Pensions (4 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The background to this case is that a 1983 arbitration finding, recommended that certain Garda allowances should be made pensionable with effect from 1 October 1982. The finding was applied only to personnel who retired on or after that date. The pensionability of the Garda unsocial hours allowance was treated in a similar way when it was introduced. It was applied, with effect from 1 January...

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Senator Terry's amendment suggests that we should actually again tear open the terms of Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, consider what they involve and insert new wordings in them. I fully accept that this would be one way to approach this issue. All of the rhetoric I have heard for a long period runs to the effect that we should not touch these articles and that they should be left...

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I welcome the motion put before the House by Senators Henry, Quinn, Norris, O'Toole and Ross. I hope the Leader will not accuse me of treachery, but it does not matter to me whether the motion as proposed or the motion as amended is passed because we are all in agreement on this issue.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Independent Senators' motion seeks a report of progress to date and future plans aimed at securing the full compatibility of Irish family law with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, with particular reference to the convention rights of non-marital and one-parent families. I am grateful to them for raising this issue and I propose to give the Government's response to it,...

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights deals with the right to respect for private and family life and provides that everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence and that there shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a...

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Attendants.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: "Cohabitees" does not mean anything to me.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Maybe I am old-fashioned but I just do not like it.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: This paper contains a comprehensive examination of the law as regards cohabitees and makes recommendations for change. It does not recommend any new institution such as registered partnerships and does not analyse this question, which is for another day but is not far off. Instead, it makes proposals in individual areas of the law that would improve the situation of cohabitants. It repeatedly...

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: There should be an obligation and an entitlement for somebody who joins, say, a religious order to make the mother superior or some other member of the community the next of kin. There are some people in the clergy who share my view that it is right that the law reflects a relationship where responsibility and caring exists and helps those relationships rather than ignores them because...

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Perhaps somebody will come into the House later and say he or she has a radically different view of the world and, if so, we will have to take that into account but it would be a pity to have a false division when everybody appears to be agreed on the approach to be taken.

Seanad: Family Law: Motion. (5 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is not mine to withdraw.