Results 1,701-1,720 of 18,726 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application in question was to enable the wife of a non-EEA national to come and reside with him in the State. The non-EEA national concerned was granted permission to remain in the State for a three-year period from May 2004, following a failed asylum application. It seems he then travelled home and underwent a marriage ceremony in June 2004, resulting in the visa application. Having...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda Síochána that there are currently 181 masts in use by O2. None of these masts is owned by O2. A breakdown by county is set out in the following table. I am also advised by the Garda authorities that there are 998 mobile phones on official issue within the Garda Síochána. There are no charges levied against these phones when calling within the 086 network or when...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I note that this matter has been carefully considered by the Humans Rights Commission in accordance with the criteria set out in the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 and the commission's internal guidelines concerning the holding of inquiries and the provision of assistance. The clear policy underpinning the Human Rights Commission Act 2000 is the establishment of a national independent human...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application was approved.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to build a new Garda station in Swords, County Dublin. The construction of a new station in Swords will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of financial and other resources and priorities within the Garda building programme. Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to say when this project will commence. I can say, however, that as an interim measure...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware from the latest Garda annual report that there were almost 1,100,-22%, fewer serious assaults and over 2,300,-23%, fewer minor assaults in 2003 compared to 2002. There were almost 2,000,-22%, fewer criminal damage cases and 2,400,-4%, fewer public order offences in 2003 compared to 2002. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no specific crime...

Written Answers — Electoral Abuses: Electoral Abuses (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that following a complaint and subsequent Garda investigation into alleged personation at the 1982 general election, two persons were charged with offences contrary to section 3 of the Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act 1923. The charges were subsequently dismissed by a judge of the District Court. The Prevention of Electoral Abuses Act 1923 was...

Written Answers — Drug Court Programme: Drug Court Programme (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The pilot drug court programme was launched in the Dublin District Court on 9 January 2001. Dublin's north inner city was chosen as the location from which to operate the pilot drug court. The pilot drug court programme marked a major policy initiative in the criminal justice system and was designed as an alternative measure for dealing with less serious and non-violent drug offenders. The...

Written Answers — Land Registry and Registry of Deeds: Land Registry and Registry of Deeds (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Registration of Deeds and Title Bill, which is currently before the Seanad, provides for the modernisation of operations and procedures in the Registry of Deeds and amends aspects of the law relating to the registration of title with a view to providing the Land Registry with the means to operate an electronic conveyancing system. As part of the change programme in my Department, I intend...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 705, 744 and 745 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, to date, the complainant has made a number of allegations in relation to various matters and has lodged some documentation with the Garda. However, I am further informed that the complainant has declined to make a written statement to gardaí substantiating his allegations. I am also...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 706 and 707 together. As the Deputy is aware, 17 locations throughout the country, including Waterford, are set to receive town centre CCTV systems. This expansion is being implemented on a phased basis as follows: phase 1 — Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2 — Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; phase 3 —...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. The purpose of the board is to assess applicants for judicial office and inform the Government of their suitability. The board consists of the Chief Justice, the Presidents of the High Court, Circuit Court and District Court, the Attorney General, nominated representatives of the Bar...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the person concerned arrived in the State on 30 November 2000 and claimed asylum. His application was refused and he was notified of this recommendation by letter of 6 March 2002. His subsequent appeal was refused and he was notified of this recommendation by letter of 30 September 2002. He was notified of my decision to refuse him refugee status by letter of 27 November...

Written Answers — Equality Proofing: Equality Proofing (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 767 together. The working group on equality proofing was established under the social partnership agreement, Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, PPF. It continues its work in the context of the successor agreement, Sustaining Progress. Paragraph 5.5.2 of Sustaining Progress provides for the proofing of policies and services in the public sector to...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: An appeal in this case has not been lodged with my Department. The person in question made a visa application in August 2004 for the stated purpose of a holiday with his aunt and uncle who are resident in the State. The applicant stated on his visa application form that he is a student in his home country, yet no documentation was submitted to support this claim. No evidence of finances was...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 712 and 713 together. This Cameroonian couple arrived in the State on 3 February 2003 and applied for asylum. Their application was refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The couple are the parents of Irish born children. Subsequently, in accordance...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The details of the revised arrangements for the consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State made by the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005 were publicly announced on 15 January 2005. Applications should be made on form IBC/05 which is available on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website at www.justice.ie. Hard...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (26 Jan 2005)

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, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 16 September 2004. Dealing Number D2004PS019909H refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for...

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Projects: Youth Diversion Projects (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 of January 2005 was 172, all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 1 January 1998 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 39, or 29.3%, in the number of personnel allocated to...