Results 9,381-9,400 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: A significant number of staff of my Department avail of remote ICT access to work from their homes. In the majority cases, this work is done outside the normal office hours period. In addition to the nineteen staff who work outside office hours via remote access, three Principal Officers, six Assistant Principal Officers, six Higher Executive Officers, one Administrative Officer and three...

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

Michael McDowell: The persons concerned arrived in the State on 29 March, 2000 and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The persons concerned were informed, by letter dated 29 November, 2001 and 24 May, 2002 respectively, that the Minister...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (27 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 have been...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 6th June, 2006. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on 12th June, 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Services: Garda Vetting Services (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) has no record of a vetting application having been received on behalf of the person in question. I am informed by the Department of Health and Children that the making of applications to the GCVU in respect of prospective Health Service Executive (HSE) staff or HSE-funded staff is a matter for the HSE. In view...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the planning procedures which are being prepared by the Office of Public Works provide for a public consultation process in relation to the proposed development and that this process will encompass environmental and heritage issues. Planning is scheduled to commence by August next. It is intended that the new prison facilities which are to be provided on Spike Island will...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Government's 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities applies across the Civil Service but Government Departments may exceed this target figure. I am, for my part, keen to ensure that the Government target is achieved and indeed surpassed by my Department, if at all possible. The percentage of people with a disability employed by my Department currently stands at 5.25%.

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The financial eligibility criteria for the granting of civil legal aid are set out in the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 and 2002. I am currently reviewing these criteria, in light of proposals from the Legal Aid Board, and expect to make revised regulations in accordance with the normal procedures during the course of 2006.

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 394 of Tuesday, 20 June 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (27 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. The Dublin...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together. A proposal to deport arises where a person has been formally refused a declaration as a refugee or has become otherwise illegal in the State e.g. having overstayed a visa/work permit etc. In all such circumstances, the person concerned is informed, in writing, that the Minister proposes to make a deportation order in respect of him/her...

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

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set in the following Tabular Statement. Statistics are not maintained regarding the specific grounds for granting or refusing refugee status. All applications are considered in line with the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996. Section 2 of the Act defines a refugee, subject to stated exclusions, as a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being...

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

Michael McDowell: I presume that the Deputy is referring to applications for Leave to Remain in the State made pursuant to Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). The Deputy might wish to note that, in the main, such applications are made by persons whose asylum applications have been rejected. An application for Leave to Remain in the State arises where a non-EU national is served with a...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (27 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to Question No. 22840 of 13 June 2006 regarding the Statutory Instruments applicable to the delegation of functions to Ministers of State at my Department. In relation to the Regulations which have been enacted, S.I. No. 468 of 2004 Children Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2004 was signed by Minister of State Lenihan on 23 July, 2004. The Order brought some provisions...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: These three amendments aim at the idea that the public areas of Garda stations should be subject to video surveillance. I have no difficulty with the principle of this proposal. If we require, as many District Judges do, licensees of licensed premises which open late to install CCTV, and have it on many buses and the Luas, which goes past my house and which I use, I have no major problem with...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: To some extent, banks and places of entertainment could do much more videoing and external surveillance in the immediate precincts of their premises to stop cash in transit incidents from taking place. There are some privacy issues. In general terms, I favour Deputy Ó Snodaigh's argument that we should have the keeping of a good record as a medium-term aim. We also need to consider whether...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I know. There are cases in which people who are brought to Garda stations and charged with crimes are told by their cohorts or bosses in crime that they have to demand a copy of the interview tape from the Garda. The crime bosses want the tapes so they can ensure that those who were interviewed did not squeal on other people who were involved in the offence. There are legitimate circumstances...

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Yes, but it is not that easy to protect them.

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I appreciate that. If we provide for a mechanism whereby it can be stated that a tape will not be supplied in particular cases, in the interests of the accused person, we will raise the immediate implication that he or she is hiding something from the people who are putting pressure on him to get the tape so they can look at it. It is a difficult question. I do not have a 100% solution to it....

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (28 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: A fraction of them are used for people who are taken into custody.