Results 11,901-11,920 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy has sought to enter the State to be reunited with family members. She had previously been granted a visit visa and adhered fully to the conditions of that visa. However, the reasons to enter the State on this occasion did not meet with current criteria and the application was refused. The person in question may of course appeal this decision and any...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the publication in question, the relevant parts of which either reiterate claims previously aired in the public domain or recount information already provided to the family of the unarmed Garda who was murdered in 1970. It is also the case that this appalling murder was fully investigated by the Garda Síochána at the time. Arising from this investigation, three persons were...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made a Family Reunification application on behalf of his wife and child in January 2006.The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application will be considered by my...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 125 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the carriage of civilian passengers in official Garda vehicles (marked or unmarked) is prohibited except in certain specific circumstances which include conveyance of persons where necessary for the preservation of life. It is also the case that Regulations relating to the treatment of persons...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that Student Gardaí at the Garda College receive the following instruction in First Aid: Phase I — All Student Gardaí received up to twenty (20) hours of First Aid instruction. Phase III — Student Gardaí are given a refresher training of four (4) hours. The...

Written Answers — Stardust Fire: Stardust Fire (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that a response to the Stardust Relatives and Victims Committee is imminent.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the fine for breaching a three tonne limit is €80. Legislation in respect of Road Traffic Offences is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Transport. Provision is made in the Road Traffic Act 2002 for inclusion of offences contrary to Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 in the fixed charge penalty point system. The Minister for...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Headline crime statistics for the years 2000 to 2005 for the Garda Division of Cork West, which includes the Garda District of Bantry, are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Headline crime statistics have not yet been published in the manner requested by the Deputy. Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: As of 1st December 2006, I can inform the Deputy that the figures at unlock indicated that there were 149 persons on temporary release with an additional 55 life sentence prisoners on long term release. This compares with a total figure of 552 persons on temporary release on 9 December 1996.

Written Answers — Bench Warrants: Bench Warrants (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, it is a function of the Court Service to provide appropriate information on the courts. I have therefore arranged to have the matter raised by the Deputy referred to the Courts Service, which has informed me that it will reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Traffic Calming Measures: Traffic Calming Measures (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a Garda report in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (14 Dec 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 An 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 — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made a Family Reunification application on behalf of his family members in March 2006. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. This application will be considered by my...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 10th November, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the application was taken on 27th November, 2006. The application was refused on the grounds that it is not the general policy to permit any person, whether related or not, to join or visit any person who is in the State on a study visa. The...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. In the matter of a new system for civil legal costs, I wish to inform the Deputy that the Implementation Advisory Group recently submitted their recommendations to me for consideration. With regard to the general scheme of a family law Bill, I have nothing further to add to my reply to Question No. 121 of 28 September 2006.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the statistics provided on the following table show the number of sexual offences recorded and detected in the North Central Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region for 2005 and to date in 2006. Local Garda management is aware of the increase in such offences being reported and have directed that additional high-visibility beat and mobile...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 21 murders with firearms in 2005, of which four were detected and two have proceedings commenced. In 2006 to date there have been 24 murders with firearms, of which eight were detected and five have proceedings commenced. Operation Anvil is central to the strategy of the Garda Síochána in combating serious crime and in particular...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my previous replies to Parliamentary Question No. 1123 of 25 January 2006 and Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 19 October 2006 regarding the person in question. Judicial Review proceedings, which were instituted on 29 September 2005, are still ongoing. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on the matter.

Written Answers — Firearms Licensing: Firearms Licensing (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The licensing of firearms is solely a matter for the Garda Síochána under the Firearms Act, 1925 as amended and I may not interfere in any way. Officials of my Department have regular meetings with the Chairman and Director of the NARGC on matters relating to firearms and I am informed by the Gardaí that they also meet regularly with the NARGC. I have also been informed that the...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 194 to 196 of 5 December, 2006.