Results 13,521-13,540 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that evidential breath testing instruments (intoxilysers) have been installed in the following District Headquarters Garda Stations in Louth and Meath: Dundalk Drogheda Trim Kells Ashbourne The installation of further evidential breath testing instruments is currently under consideration. Instruments to test for the presence of alcohol in the breath are...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Ireland and the United Kingdom operate a "Common Travel Area" which permits passport free travel for citizens of both jurisdictions if travelling within this zone. An immigration officer may ask a passenger travelling from the United Kingdom for evidence in support of a claim that he or she is a person entitled to avail of the Common Travel Area arrangement i.e. an Irish or British citizen...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy is serving a four year sentence with the final two months suspended for the Membership of an Unlawful Organisation. He is serving this sentence under maximum security conditions in Portlaoise Prison and is not due for release until 5 January, 2008. I have recently considered applications for temporary release from this person in relation to a degree course...

Written Answers — Garda Staff: Garda Staff (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is undertaking the single largest expansion of An Garda Síochána in the history of the State. This historic expansion is supported by greatly increased civilian support, and in recent months we have launched a new recruitment drive aimed at increasing the civilian strength by a further 300 staff. In total, there are now 1,150 civilians employed...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following a call for expressions of interest, a number of candidates have been awarded pre-qualification status. A detailed Request for Tender will issue to the shortlisted candidates in the near future. It is currently estimated that checks will be conducted by both mobile and fixed cameras at approximately 500-1,000 locations throughout the State. It is also expected that there will be...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of the person in question was submitted to the Citizenship Section of my Department on 20 May 2004. Officials in the Citizenship Section inform me that processing of this application has commenced and that the case file will be presented to me for my decision in the near future. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: 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 year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. ...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can confirm that I have received representations on the matter referred to by the Deputy. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a murder investigation was conducted by An Garda Síochána into the suspicious death of the person referred to in 1993. However, no person has been made amenable for the death to date. I am further informed that the investigation of the death is...

Written Answers — Overseas Students: Overseas Students (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: One of the main principles of Ireland's immigration system is that persons coming to Ireland should not be an undue burden on the resources of the State. The established policy in relation to the attendance of overseas students in Irish primary and second level schools is that visas should only be granted to those who are attending fee paying schools, on the basis that to do otherwise...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: 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 year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements. ...

Written Answers — Garda Retirement: Garda Retirement (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand that a review of the retirement age for existing Chief Superintendents and Superintendents has been undertaken by the Garda Commissioner. I have not yet received a report on the matter. The current position is that Section 4 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004 provides that a person who is appointed as a new entrant to the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together. Ireland is one of 8 European countries that participates in a programme which resettles refugees on humanitarian grounds in co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 2005, I increased the quota from 10 cases (approximately 40 persons) per annum to 200 persons to be implemented on a phased basis over 3 years....

Written Answers — Palestinian Refugees: Palestinian Refugees (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: No request has been submitted to my Department to resettle Palestinian refugees in Iraq. I should explain to the Deputy, however, that under the resettlement programme, the UNHCR prepare an assessment of global resettlement needs and submit their priorities to an international group of resettlement countries of which Ireland is a member. As part of these priorities, and along with many...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that a programme entitled, 'The Strengthening Families Programme' is being piloted in Cork by an inter agency group which includes; the Probation Service, Arbour House Youth Drug and Alcohol Services, Homeless Services and Community based Drugs Task Force. However, I am advised that the community based project referred to by the Deputy is not involved in the...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The applicant instituted Judicial Review proceedings on 3 June 2005 challenging the Deportation Order made in respect of him on 6 May 2005. These proceedings were determined on the 28 February 2006 and his leave application to apply for a Judicial Review was refused by the High Court. The person concerned also made an application for Subsidiary Protection under the European Communities...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The UK Act to which the Deputy refers provides a framework by which certain criminal records may be expunged. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a person convicted of all but the most serious criminal offences and who receives a sentence less than 30 months in prison (including suspended), benefits from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, if they are not convicted again during a...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Garda Authorities that there have been 31 proceedings commenced and five convictions recorded for offences under the Explosives Act 1875 and the Criminal Justice Act 2006 relating to fireworks for the period 2000 to 2006 inclusive. Of those persons convicted, two were sentenced to imprisonment, one received a community service order and two were fined. Conscious of the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my letter to him dated 6 March 2007, which issued in response to his original question on this matter (Question No. 337 of 31 January 2007 — ref. 1925/07). The information sought by the Deputy is contained therein.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (27 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...