Results 1,461-1,480 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Judicial Conduct: Judicial Conduct (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 365, inclusive, together. The programme for Government promised legislation to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour. The preparation of heads of a judicial council Bill is at an advanced stage in my Department, and I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the heads to Government for approval, with a view to...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The sums of money made available to the Judicial Studies Institute in each of the past four years are as follows:. Year â'¬ 2001 317,435 2002 368,000 2003 400,000 2004 400,000

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: There are no plans to alter the status of Monaghan Garda station. The Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the agreed programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I recently informed the Deputy, my Department has received the High Court warrant which allows for the transfer of this individual into this country and the continued enforcement of his prison sentence under the transfer of sentenced persons legislation. However, Irish prison officers are required to provide the escort for prisoners transferring into this country under the legislation. Due...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, since March 2004, the Garda structures for delivering local drugs strategies have been enhanced by the establishment of a specific co-ordinating framework for delivering the organisation's overall drug strategy. This co-ordinating framework involves the nomination of individuals at the following levels within the organisation: national, assistant...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Two community policing fora have been established in the context of the national drugs strategy. These are operating on a pilot basis under the aegis of the north inner city and Finglas — Cabra local drugs task forces, respectively. Also, the Garda Commissioner has established a community policing forum in Dublin's "A" Garda district on a pilot basis following extensive consultations...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prison: Drugs in Prison (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Preparation of a drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service is at an advanced stage and I expect to publish it early next year. The new policy will facilitate consistent regulation and operational structure in pursuing both supply and demand reduction.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The purpose of the drug offenders Bill as set out in the Government legislative programme, is to provide for the registration of convicted drug dealers with the gardaí and to provide for stiffer penalties for persons involved in the supply of drugs to a prisoner in accordance with the commitments in An Agreed Programme for Government. Work on preparation of the Bill is at a preliminary stage...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is the lead Department in tackling the problem of drug abuse as it co-ordinates the implementation of the National Drug Strategy across the four pillars of supply reduction, treatment, education-prevention and research. My Department and its associated agencies are mainly concerned with supply reduction. In that context, I am informed...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Road traffic legislation is the responsibility of the Minister for Transport. The influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern. However, identification of the presence of drugs is more complex than for alcohol. It is illegal in Ireland to drive while under the influence of drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle. Section...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that the processing of the application for naturalisation from the person concerned has now been completed and that it is due to be forwarded to me for a decision in the coming weeks. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned as soon as I have reached a decision in this case.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. Applications are processed in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended and in particular having due regard to the definition of a "refugee" in section 2 of that Act which states that a refugee is a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, processing of asylum applications in Ireland is carried out within an independent statutory framework as set out in the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. This Act provides for an investigation at first instance by the independent Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and any subsequent appeals by the independent Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT. The...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The circumstances surrounding the events of the demonstration in Dublin on 6 May 2002 were investigated by the Garda Síochána and as a result of that investigation, a file containing certain recommendations was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his directions. Prosecutions were instigated in a number of cases and while some cases have been dealt with by the courts others...

Written Answers — Alcohol Promotions: Alcohol Promotions (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The position is that section 20 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 prohibits the supply of intoxicating liquor at a reduced price during a limited period on any day. It is intended to discourage practices which may lead to excessive consumption of intoxicating liquor, such as "happy hours" and it came into operation on 18 August 2003. For the purposes of section 20, "reduced price" is...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I expect that the Deputy will by now have received my recent response to him on the matter he has raised.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Population statistics do not correlate to Garda sub-district boundaries. Following each census of population the Central Statistics Office, on completing its analysis, supplies the Garda Síochána with population figures for each Garda division and district only. The 1996 data is the most recent available, as the breakdown from the 2002 census has not yet been supplied. However, in...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I intend to furnish a reply to the correspondence in question in the near future.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under Section 49 (acquisition of title by virtue of long possession) of the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 4 August, 2004 — dealing No. D2004SM006422R refers. Due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans, at this time, to officially open the Garda station at the location referred to by the Deputy, which has been completed and is occupied. I am informed by the Garda authorities that their intention is to provide a PULSE connection to the station in the new year.