Results 10,281-10,300 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national was received from the person in question in August 2006. An acknowledgement of receipt of the application was issued to the person concerned on 4 September 2006. Applications of this type, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in strict chronological order and currently take...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Officials in my Department have recently corresponded with the person in question in order to further process her application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national. The case is currently under active consideration. A decision will be made when all the circumstances relevant to the case have been fully considered. It should be noted that...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State on 13 November, 1996 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by Asylum Division. The person in question was granted temporary leave to remain in the State on 10 June, 2002, and this was renewed in 2004 and 2005. Her current permission to remain in the State expired on 23 August, 2006. The person in...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to build a new Divisional Headquarters Garda station in Tralee, Co. Kerry. To this end, the Office of Public Works is currently engaged in the process of identifying a suitable site for the construction of the new station. Until the Office of Public Works have acquired a suitable site it is not possible for me to indicate a commencement date for construction. I can,...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there is one Sergeant and eight Gardaí currently allocated to Blanchardstown Drug Unit which also covers the sub-districts of Finglas and Cabra. Enforcement of drug legislation is a matter for all members of An Garda Síochána and the District Drug Unit is supplemented by uniformed and plain-clothes units in the District and the Divisional...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have published the findings of the Birmingham Commission of Investigation and I accept them. Nevertheless, I am willing to consider further concerns which the families may wish to express to me in writing. I will consider taking any action which is reasonably practicable and justifiable to ameliorate those concerns.

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Report of the Commission of Investigation (Dean Lyons Case) is available on the website of my Department. I have made arrangements for a number of copies to be placed in the Oireachtas library.

Written Answers — Garda Review: Garda Review (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The cold case review of the forensic evidence arising from the Grangegorman murders is ongoing and any matters arising will be fully investigated.

Written Answers — Licence Application: Licence Application (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: This application was received in my Department in November 2005. The Department subsequently requested clarification of details of the application from the person in question. Following an examination of the documentation submitted a decision has been made and the person concerned has been notified of same.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on the 12th May 2006. The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not yet to hand. I will communicate it to him as soon as possible. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: One of the Government's top policing priorities for 2006 remains that of organised crime, including drug trafficking, and the gun culture associated with it. Tackling organised crime is achieved through the use of specialist units and targeted, intelligence-led operations. An Garda Síochána employ a range of techniques and expertise in the fight against organised crime. The establishment...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The motivation of most criminals and their organisations is to profit from their illicit activities. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that serious and organised criminal groups employ money-laundering techniques to facilitate the re-introduction of the proceeds of their criminal activity into circulation. As investigations into money laundering operations are often intrinsically...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Courts Service is responsible for the day to day management of the courts and I am responsible for ensuring that the Service is adequately funded. The Estimates for 2006 include €19.6m to enable the Service to continue its ambitious nationwide programme of Courthouse renovation and refurbishment. Ten significant projects are either underway or will...

Written Answers — Court Staff: Court Staff (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Since 2002, the statutory maximum number of ordinary judges of the Supreme, High, Circuit and District Courts has increased from 108 to 128, an increase of 20 judicial positions. The additional judicial resources provided have greatly strengthened the capacity of the courts system to meet the demands placed on it and I am keeping the need for further judicial resources under review.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together. The Deputy will be aware that the closure of the Curragh and Fort Mitchel was as a result of a Government decision in November, 2003 approving a series of measures to be taken on a rolling basis with effect from 1 January, 2004 in the event of failure to reach agreement with the Prison Officers' Association on a change agenda aimed at...

Written Answers — Court Procedures: Court Procedures (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Courts Service Act, 1998, the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which include the management of the courts and the provision of statistics. Statistics on adjournments are published in the Annual Reports of the Courts Service, which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The most recent such report is in respect of the...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of reports which suggest that prisoners are running criminal syndicates from inside prison cells. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to implementing all appropriate measures to prevent the possibility of such activity and to ensure that the contact that prisoners have with the outside world is tightly controlled and monitored. Prisoner visits in all closed prisons are...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (3 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.