Results 11,301-11,320 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185, 187 and 188 together. Headline crime statistics for the years 2000 to 2005 for the Garda Division of Cork West, which includes the Garda Districts of Bandon, Clonakilty, Bantry are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports. These reports are available in the Oireachtas Library. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for...

Written Answers — Witness Security Programme: Witness Security Programme (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the review of the Witness Security Programme was commenced in 2003 and was substantively completed in 2005. However, a number of policy matters arising from the review remain under consideration by Garda management. As the final product of internal Garda considerations is not yet available, it would be premature of me to comment upon possible...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that no applications for a Garda CCTV system has been received from Cashel, Carrick-on-Suir or Tipperary. All applications for Garda CCTV systems must be made formally through the local Garda Divisional Officer to the Advisory Committee. As the Deputy is aware, Clonmel is one of 17 areas set to receive a Garda CCTV system under the Garda CCTV...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The applications referred to by the Deputy were received in the Dublin Visa Office on 7 November 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the applications was taken on 21 November 2006. It is open to the applicants to appeal the decisions. Comprehensive guidelines on making an appeal can be found on my Department's website (www.justice.ie). All appeals must be made within two...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 4 October 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 8 November 2006. The application was refused on the grounds that certain documents provided were not translated, the finances provided were deemed insufficient or incomplete and the obligations of the applicant to...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: All incidents reported to the Garda Síochána are recorded and investigated. I am assured that the Garda Síochána urges all members of the public to report any matters of a criminal nature for investigation by them. The problems of unreported and unrecorded crime are well documented in the international criminological literature, and are in no way unique to this country. Furthermore,...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The changeover to the PULSE platform allowed the Gardaí to reorganise its crime classification system, so that it more accurately reflects the complex, modern criminal activities reported or known to the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the term 'provisional, operational and liable to change' is used to explain that the statistics being provided are based on...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible to respond fully to the Deputy's question in the time available. I will endeavour to provide a comprehensive response to the Deputy as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, in August of this year I published a report commissioned by my Department from PA Consultants which examined the suitability of the Registry of Deeds building in Henrietta Street as a home for the important records in its care. An opportunity was provided for interested parties to make submissions on the report and views were expressed by a small number of...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The contract for the evaluation of the pilot project referred to by the Deputy was awarded to a firm of consultants, Farrell Grant Sparks (FGS), at the end of 2005 and the consultants completed their work earlier this year. My Department provided grant assistance to the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency (NDVIA), a registered charity and non-governmental organisation, initially...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the Coroners are quasi-judicial authorities charged with the independent investigation of death. I am not clear from the Deputy's question as to what type of direction he is referring to. I would, however, refer him to my recent response to questions number 93 and 148 of 7 November 2006 (35573/06) which addressed the role of the Coroners in the specific context...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Immigration Division of my Department has been in contact with the person concerned, informing her of the decision regarding her application for permission to remain in the State.

Written Answers — Remembrance Commission: Remembrance Commission (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Scheme of Acknowledgement, Remembrance and Assistance to Victims in this Jurisdiction of the Conflict in Northern Ireland is administered by the Remembrance Commission. All applications for payments are assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in the Scheme. The person referred to by the Deputy has received payments for medical expenses incurred to date and has, in addition,...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 14 September 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 18 September 2006. The application was refused on the grounds that the applicant had shown no clear link to the reference in Ireland. Also, the deciding Visa Officer was not satisfied that the applicant would...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for long term residence from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on the 30 June 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 — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Government Ministers pursuant to a long standing arrangement. Factors such as fuel efficiency and safety are taken into account in making purchases for the Ministerial Fleet. I have been further informed that all cars in the Ministerial Fleet are petrol driven models (with the exception of the Lexus GS 450H...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for long term residence from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on the 20 June 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 (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: 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 the Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday 16 November 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Neighbourhood Watch was established in 1985 as a crime prevention measure for urban areas. There are approximately 2,600 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in operation throughout the country. Since its establishment, the Garda authorities have sought to encourage the active participation of the public in Neighbourhood Watch by encouraging and supporting communities to establish and maintain such...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (28 Nov 2006)

Michael McDowell: Operation Anvil commenced in the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) on 17 May, 2005. It is an intelligence led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static check points by uniform, mobile and foot...