Results 8,641-8,660 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that a wide and evolving range of public bodies are associated with my Department or come within its general aegis. The table sets out those appendixed to my Department's Strategy Statement for 2005-2007. The nature of the Department's relationship with each body varies according to its function and statutory basis, as appropriate. Information concerning the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation are generally dealt with in chronological order and this practice is not deviated from except in exceptional circumstances. Officials in Citizenship Section are currently processing applications received in the first quarter of 2004 and, at the present time, there are approximately 7,000 applications awaiting processing before that of the person...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office in Moscow on 25th April, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 28th April, 2006. An appeal in respect of this application was received in Moscow on 25th May, 2006 and is awaiting examination by a Visa Appeals Officer. A decision is expected shortly.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 to 504, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 708 to 711, inclusive, of 25 April, 2006. The position remains unchanged since that date.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Traffic Watch is a dedicated telephone line that allows responsible road users to report any incidents of bad or dangerous driving offences they have witnessed. It is operated by An Garda Síochána at dedicated call centres located in six centres throughout the country. Traffic Watch commenced on 18 February 2004. The Traffic Watch telephone number...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. To collate the information would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (30 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 — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The amount paid to mobile phone providers for the past 2 years in respect of the use of official Garda mobile phones from the Garda Vote is as follows: 2004 €112,202 (of this €111,902 was paid to Vodafone and €100 to Meteor) 2005 €82,730 (paid to Vodafone). In addition, a sum of €1,119,924 was offset against licence income received by the OPW in respect...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that since 2002 Garda CCTV systems have been installed in Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Galway and Limerick. The installation of a CCTV system in Finglas has been delayed due to the lack of suitable accommodation to house the monitoring equipment. I am advised by the Office of Public Works that a suitable premises is currently being evaluated in...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together. I would refer the Deputy to the replies to parliamentary questions nos. 117 and 141 tabled for answer on 24 May, 2005. These explain the context of a recent meeting between my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Polish counterpart and planned meetings between the Minister and his Lithuanian and Latvian colleagues. The...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Non-EEA nationals who have permission to remain in the State as students are entitled to take up casual employment (defined as up to 20 hours per week during school term and up to 40 hours per week during school holidays) for the duration of their permission to remain. The entitlement to take up employment ceases upon the expiry of their permission to remain as a student. There is no...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: In line with international practice I introduced a fee for immigration registration certificates with effect from May 27 2006. The introduction of such a fee had been flagged both in the Immigration Act 2004, and in the discussion document containing the outline policy proposals for an Immigration and Residence Bill which was published in April 2005. Non-EEA nationals who register with an...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: Migrant workers are protected from discrimination under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004. The Acts already provide comprehensive protection against discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins to all employees, including migrant workers, in relation to access to employment, conditions of employment, equal pay for work of equal value,...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: An Garda Síochána is currently in the process of providing forensic traffic collision investigators in each Garda Division. A total of fourteen members from the following Divisions have undergone the initial training in forensic collision investigation: Division Number Trained Carlow / Kildare 1 Donegal 1 Garda College 1 Laois / Offaly 1 Limerick 1 Longford / Westmeath...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (30 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 — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have made enquiries with the Garda authorities in relation to the information requested by the Deputy. Details of the number of offences relating to possession of offensive weapons for the years 2003 to 2005 are as outlined in the table. Proceedings Commenced for Offences Relating to Possession of Offensive Weapons 2003-2005 2003 1,801 2004 1,868 2005 2,107

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 and the Offensive Weapons Order 1991 govern the control of flick knives and offensive weapons. Under the 1990 Act, flick knives and specified offensive weapons are prohibited and it is an offence for any person, irrespective of age, to manufacture, import, sell, hire or loan such weapons. In addition, the 1990 Act, makes it an offence for any...

Written Answers — Community Service Orders: Community Service Orders (30 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act, 1983 provides for the performance of unpaid work in the community by a person who is 16 years or over, who has been convicted of an offence, for which the appropriate penalty would be an immediate custodial sentence and who has given his/her consent to the Court. The information sought by the Deputy, regarding the number of Community Service...