Results 9,781-9,800 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (5 Jul 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 — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that an operation to target drug dealing within Dublin's north inner city has been extended by local Garda management to include the specific area referred to by the Deputy. This operation includes both uniformed and plain clothes Gardaí. Since the start of this operation, three people have been arrested for the possession of drugs for sale or...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The public office in Burgh Quay houses the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and the Visa Office, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. The Deputy in his question may be mixing up the functions of the two offices. The responsibility for the issuing of re-entry visas lies with the Visa section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service who took over this role from the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy, insofar as it relates to projects funded from my Department's own Vote is set out as follows. As can be seen from the details supplied, these projects relate to important public policy issues and services rather than the provision of public relations advice to myself in any personal capacity. The Deputy will see from the table below that disability...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 to 404, inclusive, together. The staffing of my constituency and private office and that of my Minister of State Mr. Frank Fahey T.D. is set out in the following table. Civil Servants Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Michael McDowell. T.D. Minister of State Mr. Frank Fahey T.D. Private Office Constituency Office Private Office...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below (with the exception of the year 2002 for which a total figure is not available in the time provided). This expenditure relates to notifications on matters of important public interest as well as awareness raising measures spanning the broad range of activities and programmes underway in my Department. Notably, for example, total...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 407 together. As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no role in the prosecution of offences and information on the reasons for the adjournment of cases is not, therefore, available to me. With regard to the Deputy's request for the number of cases which have been adjourned since 2000 and the dates of their adjournment, the Courts...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: It would appear from the information supplied by the Deputy that a Coroner's inquest has been held in this case. The Coroner's function in this regard is an independent, quasi-judicial one and the Minister has no role in this process. Insofar as the authorisation of an exhumation is concerned, the position is set out in section 47(1) of the Coroners Act, 1962. This provides that the Minister,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (5 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy is referring to the recent appearance by the Secretary General of my Department accompanied by the Director General of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service and other officials before the Public Accounts Committee which was reviewing the Appropriation Accounts for 2004 and the C&AG's report thereon including a review of the cost of deportations of failed asylum seekers...

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am on the committee.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 562 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no fixed speed cameras in operation in the Garda Districts of Clonmel, Cahir and Tipperary town. Portable speed laser equipment is used by Garda personnel to detect speeding offences and a GATSO mobile unit operates within the areas referred to. I am further informed that in the...

Written Answers — Employment Quotas: Employment Quotas (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Employment targets for people with disabilities within the civil and public service have been put on a statutory footing in Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. The employment quota specified in Section 47(4) of the Act is 3%, unless a different target is set by order of the Minister for Finance, in consultation with the relevant Minister, under Section 47(3) of the Act. Part 5 of the...

Written Answers — Rights of People with Disabilities: Rights of People with Disabilities (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The statutory basis for the establishment of a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design is in Part 6 of the Disability Act 2005. The Centre will be established within the National Disability Authority. Part 6 comes into force on 1 January 2007, and preparations for the establishment of the Centre are ongoing.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 535 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that to date in 2006 sixty summonses have been issued for breaches of the three tonne limit on Kennelsfort Road. I am further informed that since 3 April, 2006 this offence is captured by the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS). Thirty three fixed charge offences have been detected at Kennelsfort...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Following consultations between my Department, the Courts Service and other interests, I concluded that the maximum award limit for the Small Claims Court required to be increased. I accordingly requested the District Court Rules Committee to amend the relevant Rules. The small claims limit was subsequently increased from €1,269.74 to €2,000 with effect from 7th February 2006 (SI 4 of...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: At the outset I should advise the Deputy that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is responsible for the administration of the application process as well as Stage 1 (aptitude testing) and Stage 2 (interview) of the Garda recruitment process. Stage 3, which includes a medical examination and physical competence test, is administered by the Garda authorities. However, I can advise the Deputy...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The evaluation report referred to by the Deputy is complete and is currently being considered by the Garda authorities with a view to taking appropriate action.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 to 541, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a review into the death of the person concerned is being conducted by a senior Garda officer. The review is ongoing and all matters arising, including any video evidence available, will be fully examined. The review is at an advanced stage and the investigation file will be submitted...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 1 June in relation to the person in question. The position as stated in that reply remains unaltered. The Deputy should also be aware that no written representation has been received to date from the person concerned to have their application expedited.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my answer to question number 444 of 20 June, 2006 which cited some of the areas where my Department has made substantial funding available to areas of Irish life in which non-governmental organisations operate. In light of the very broad range of areas in question and the large number of bodies involved, the detailed information sought by the Deputy is not...