Results 921-940 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: This is going on in our society and I will not be silenced on it. The people must know what is going on because those moneys are not being accumulated for some international charity; they are being used for the purposes of the entire provisional movement. This is self-evident to anybody who wants to inquire into it. We face a challenge to our republican values and to our democratic system....

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: We are now beyond that point. Ambiguity is now unambiguously destructive on the question of paramilitarism and the relationship between the IRA and Sinn Féin. As we have reached the point where all ambiguity is now destructive and fundamentally corrosive of democratic values, the moment of truth has come for the provisional movement to make its choice. Whichever way it makes its choice, we...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: We must ask the media too.

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: That is because it is more lenient on the Senator than on me.

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Exactly.

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: That was not the case in the South.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Adoptive Leave Act 1995 was introduced to provide leave similar to maternity leave for an adopting mother after the placement of a child into her care. The purpose of the Act was to redress a perceived anomaly that women who adopted children were excluded from the maternity leave entitlements in place under the Maternity Protection Act 1994. The 1995 Act replicates all the relevant...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I think it would be better to take it as read. I do not wish to delay proceedings and I am anxious to hear the contributions of Members sooner rather than later. I will refer briefly to other important developments taking place in regard to adoption. My colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, the Minister of State with special responsibility for children, initiated a consultation process last year...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is standard practice for the views of my Department to be sought as to suitability in respect of certain public service appointments. My Department makes a decision as to whether opposition is to be expressed to the prospective appointment on the basis of information received from the Garda Síochána. Each case is given careful consideration and is judged on its own merits. It is not the...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: A pass mark of 70% is required from all candidates in the public service knowledge test which is set and administered by the Garda carriage office. There are no proposals to change this requirement.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána and as such I have no role in it. However, I have made inquiries and I am informed by the Garda authorities that the payment of the fixed charge notice by cheque was received on 21 November, 2003. The Garda fixed penalty office retained the cheque for 14 days to allow payment to clear. I understand that once the...

Written Answers — Fógraíocht Ranna: Fógraíocht Ranna (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 343 go dtí 345 le chéile. Is féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta gur gnólacht fógraíochta a theachtann an conradh Rialtais d'idirbhearta den chineál sin a chuireann fógraí sna nuachtáin thar ceann mo Roinne. I dtaca leis seo de, tá curtha in iúl dom, i gcás go raibh fógraí á gcur i nuachtán Gaeilge, gur roghnaíodh an foilseachán Foinse mar...

Written Answers — Family Law: Family Law (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the case that has been advanced for establishing a register of the type referred to by the Deputy. The full implications of doing so are being examined in my Department in the context of a family law Bill which is being prepared. Accordingly, it would be premature to reach a definitive conclusion on the matter now.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the visa applications in question were approved on appeal on 20 May 2004.

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are aware of the reports regarding incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area in question. I am further informed that the area will continue to receive particular Garda attention from both the community police unit and mobile patrols. I am assured by local Garda management that the person concerned will receive advice, support and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made an application for a study visa in December 2003. The application was refused because it had not been established, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of the visa. In particular, it was felt that the applicant had not displayed sufficient evidence of her obligations to return home following...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question relate to a six year old and 12 year old minor non-EEA nationals and were for the purpose of visiting the mother resident in the State. Both visa applications were refused as it had not been established that the children's father had consented to them travelling to the State. There were also some inconsistencies noted in the information supplied in support of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I made inquiries to the Garda authorities and I understand that they are not aware that the development referred to by the Deputy adjacent to Fr. Collins Park, Donaghmede, includes the provision of a Garda station.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda research unit carried out an internal evaluation of the CCTV systems in Dublin and Tralee in 1999. While the evaluation identified potential benefits of CCTV such as reduced crime and disorder, increased detentions, improved public feelings of safety, more effective deployment of police resources and improved court processing of guilty...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they have for a number of years maintained a good relationship with the gay community and are in regular contact with those who represent the gay perspective on a variety of issues. I have been further informed that 14 Garda have received special familiarisation training and were appointed as liaison officers to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and...