Results 9,881-9,900 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Censorship of Publications: Censorship of Publications (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the task of censorship in relation to books and magazines is carried out by the Censorship of Publications Board. I have no plans to introduce legislation to provide for an age related certification scheme as envisaged by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Private Security Industry: Private Security Industry (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004 is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Authority is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions. I am informed by the Authority that it has put a licence fee structure in place which reflects the variety between...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. These patrols are backed up by Divisional Garda Units, including the Traffic Corps, Mountain Bike, Drug Unit, Task Force and the District and Divisional Detective Units. I understand that...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: As I have informed the House previously, this matter has been before the courts and a conviction recorded. The court also ordered compensation to be paid, and I understand this was done. As the Deputy is aware, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and it is not open to me to comment or intervene in any way on...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is policed by Gardaí at Clontarf Garda station. Additional patrols are provided by Divisional Units, including the Traffic Corps, Mountain Bike, Drug Unit, the Divisional Task Force and the District and Divisional Detective Units. Gardaí attached to the Community Policing Unit are assigned to this area and have a good...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí from Clontarf and Raheny Garda stations. I understand that the Gardaí attached to the Community Policing Units of both stations have a good relationship with the local community. Also, additional resources have recently being allocated to the Community Policing Units...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry ('Barron Inquiry') into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of 1974 details its interaction with the person in question on the matter. A Commission of Investigation, the sole member of which is Mr. Patrick MacEntee, S.C., Q.C., is currently inquiring into certain aspects of the State's response to the bombings. In that context, I am aware that...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí from its local Garda station with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. These patrols are backed up by Divisional Garda Units, including the Traffic Corps, Mountain Bike, Drug, Task Force and the District and Divisional Detective...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the figures requested are not readily available at Garda sub-District level and could only be obtained with the expenditure of an inordinate amount of Garda time and resources. Headline crime statistics for the Southern Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Garda Region, which includes the Garda sub-Districts of Tallaght, Terenure and Rathfarnham, are...

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 2nd August, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 15th September, 2006. It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision; however, to date, no appeal has been received. All appeals must be submitted within two months of the initial refusal date.

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: Both the Prison Psychology Service and the Probation Service provide and facilitate a range of services to prisoners who have been victims of sexual abuse in childhood. The precise nature of the service will vary depending on the needs of the individual and as appropriate to circumstances. The support available includes referral to the National Counselling Service for victims of abuse which...

Written Answers — Prison Medical Service: Prison Medical Service (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: In 2003 a team from the Central Mental Hospital, with the cooperation and support of the Irish Prison Service, undertook the first systematic survey of mental illness in the Irish prison population. The findings of this study confirm that the rates of diagnosed mental illness among prisoners are significantly higher than in comparable community populations. This finding is common to prison...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: The range of interventions and programmes employed within the prisons to encourage prisoners to bring about positive development in themselves include: individual and group counselling on offending issues; programmes in the areas of education, vocational training and lifeskills; drug treatment; specific programmes to address criminal behaviour; one-to-one counselling and support; and...

Written Answers — Treatment of Prisoners: Treatment of Prisoners (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I have appointed Mr Michael Mellett to carry out an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Mr Gary Douch while in custody in Mountjoy Prison and in particular: to establish what action was taken by the Irish Prison Service, management and staff to safeguard Mr. Douch; to clarify whether Mr. Douch had expressed special...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation were received from the persons referred to in the Deputy's question on 7 October 2005. I understand that processing of both applications has commenced and that the case files will be submitted to me for a decision in the near future. I will advise the Deputy and the persons in question once I have reached a decision on the applications.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that this matter is the subject of ongoing civil litigation regarding a dispute over lands which are used for the grazing of sheep and other livestock in the area referred to. I am further informed that arising from this dispute various allegations and counter allegations have been made by the parties involved. I am assured by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: Policing arrangements for public events and in locations generally, along with the allocation of Garda resources, are solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. However, where such events take place the Garda authorities work closely with the residents in order to avoid as much disruption as possible. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an extensive traffic management plan is put...

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 8th August, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 15th September, 2006. It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision; however, to date, no appeal has been received. All appeals must be submitted within two months of the initial refusal decision.

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

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 19 July, 2003 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 27 October, 2004, that the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Sep 2006)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's question were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 16 June 2005. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation for adults is approximately 24 months at the present time. However, I understand that the persons concerned are refugees. In accordance with the...