Results 9,201-9,220 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that Kilfinane was one of 8 Garda stations in Counties Limerick and Tipperary which were selected by the Office of Public Works, following consultation with my Department and the Garda authorities, for inclusion in that Office's pilot Equity Exchange Programme which was publicised in 2004. However, the Office of Public Works considered that the level of interest...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: As previously indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No 174 on 1st June 2006, applications for residency of the type referred to by the Deputy are dealt with in strict chronological order and currently take approximately four months to process following receipt of all relevant information. It is not the normal practice of my Department to expedite cases save in certain exceptional...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy is a citizen of Tanzania and is visa required to enter the State. The application, including all supporting documentation should be submitted, for consideration, to the Irish Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The application will be assessed in accordance with normal practice and should any additional documentation or information be required the...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to is serving a life sentence for murder since December 1992. His case was reviewed by the Interim Parole Board in early 2002 and, following that review, the then Minister agreed to his transfer to the Training Unit. His temporary release programme was suspended in 2003 when he tested positive for cannabis on his return to the Training Unit. He was subsequently transferred...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is covered by Finglas Garda Station and that they are aware of the concerns of the residents of this area in relation to anti-social behaviour. The area is patrolled regularly by the local patrol cars and by members of the Community Policing Unit on foot and bicycle patrols. These patrols are augmented by the Divisional Crime...

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the position remains as set out in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 352 (ref:11568/06) on 28th March, 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Assistant Commissioner of the Western Region has appointed a Garda Superintendent from outside the Garda Division in which the fatal collision referred to by the Deputy took place to carry out a full assessment of the investigation into the collision. The review will include an assessment of the investigation file forwarded to the Director of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The applications for certificates of naturalisation referred to by the Deputy were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in October 2005. Applications received in the first half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 5,500 applications awaiting processing before those of the persons in question. It is likely that processing of the applications in...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by An Garda Síochána that they are aware of the identity of a number of Irish citizens who currently reside outside this jurisdiction and are believed to be involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. In fact, many of these individuals choose to reside abroad for a variety of reasons, not least of which are the ongoing activities of An Garda Síochána in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86 prohibit gambling except in certain specifically defined circumstances. Casino-style operations are not covered within these exceptions. Such operations are therefore unlawful. I have no proposals that would alter the present policy of the Acts, but rather to tighten the enforceability of that policy...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (21 Jun 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 again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Grade PO 0 0 0 0 0 AP 0 0 0 0 0 HEO 0 0 1 0 0 EO 7 8 12 6 0 SO 0 0 0 0 0 CO 37 50 66 33 18 Total 44 58 79 39 18 * The method of recording this data changed in 2003. The figures for 2002 refer to the Head Office and Asylum Divisions of the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I am further...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I requested a report from the Garda authorities in respect of the issues raised by the Deputy. The person referred to attended District Court 53 on 31 May, 2006 following summons for an alleged offence of careless driving on 30 August, 2004. This prosecution was directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The summons was adjourned to the 28 November, 2006. However, the person referred to...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: At the outset I should say that the tragic deaths to which the Deputy refers are unrelated save for the fact that both occurred following detention in Garda custody. The circumstances of the first case are quite different from those of the second case. In the first case, unlike the second case, all are agreed that the young man in question suffered serious injuries in a Garda Station. In so...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: An Garda Síochána and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), in particular, take a proactive and vigorous approach in preventing and combating trafficking of human beings. The GNIB works closely with other specialist units, e.g., the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, the Garda National Drugs Unit, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau. A...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (22 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: There were eight civilian staff employed in Waterford Garda Station in 2001. In the years since 2001, these numbers have been increased and today stand at 11, including 1 District Finance Officer, 1 Staff Officer, and 9 Clerical Officers. The District Finance Officer was appointed in line with the 2001 Civilianisation Report and is carrying out the Finance function previously performed by a...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (22 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that 493 hand-held units which are used to record road traffic offence data at the roadside have been procured by An Garda Síochána. The cost of these units was €1,885,305 inclusive of VAT, which includes the cost of the unit together with ancillary items such as chargers. These units are in use throughout all Garda regions nationwide.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State on 18 December, 2000 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 26 November, 2002,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 25 June, 1999 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 28 December, 2001, that the...