Results 5,001-5,020 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 131 of Thursday, 8 March, 2007 (ref: 9372/07), No. 173 of Wednesday, 6 December, 2006 (ref: 42010/06) and No. 158 of Thursday, 11 May, 2006 (ref: 17811/06) and the written replies to those Questions. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular format as follows. Table 1: The number of asylum applications received by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and details of those granted and refused at first instance. Year No. of Asylum ApplicationsReceived No. of Recommendations to grant refugee status (at first instance) Asylum Applications Refused (at...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware, from previous Dáil replies in this matter, that the person concerned is awaiting deportation following a comprehensive examination of his asylum claim and of his application to remain temporarily in the State. The person concerned was considered by my officials pursuant to Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended and Section 5 of the Refugee Act,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of Wednesday, 7th February, 2007 (ref: 4224/07) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Subsidiary Protection: Subsidiary Protection (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the person concerned made an application for Subsidiary Protection under the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (Statutory Instrument No. 518 of 2006) on 10 January 2007. Receipt of this application was acknowledged on 22 January, 2007. The application for Subsidiary Protection from the person concerned will be considered by my...

Written Answers — Family Reunification: Family Reunification (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made an application for Family Reunification on behalf of his family members in March 2006. The Immigration Division of my Department has recently been in contact with the person concerned requesting further documentation. On receipt of same the application will be processed further.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Question Number 146 of 8 November 2006 and Question Number 321 of 31 January 2007. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have asked the Office of Public Works to prepare a development plan for the site. This plan will, when finalised, include detailed proposals for the utilisation and development of the site and will also take account of issues to include heritage and historical context as well as the proper and sustainable development of the area itself. I have been advised that the Office of Public Works...

Written Answers — Garda Contracts: Garda Contracts (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: In accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, the Garda Commissioner has been appointed as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote. This provision came into effect from 14th July, 2006. The Accounting Officer is responsible for the proper expenditure of money from the Vote and the safeguarding of public funds and property. He is accountable to the Oireachtas through...

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was enacted for the purpose of specifically prohibiting a person who is or was a member of the Garda Síochána or of its civilian staff, from disclosing information obtained in the course of his or her duties. The section provides stiff penalties — fines up to €75,000 and/or up to 7 years imprisonment for conviction on indictment — for...

Written Answers — Garda Insurance: Garda Insurance (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that paragraph 6.2(3) of An Garda Síochána Code (Volume III) provides for a Garda member, who is summoned as a witness in civil proceedings, to request a viaticum from the party by whom summonsed. The viaticum is for the purpose of covering the member's anticipated necessary travelling and subsistence expenses as a result of attending court. Such...

Written Answers — Garda Insurance: Garda Insurance (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between An Garda Síochána and AXA Ireland was signed by the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Executive of AXA Ireland on 22 April, 2005. The purpose of the MOU is to provide a framework to facilitate the implementation and operation of a partnership wherein An Garda Síochána and AXA Insurance Company come...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of persons reported missing, the number remaining untraced and number found dead for the years 2004 to 2006: Year Missing Person Reports Missing Persons Untraced Found Dead 2004 5,060 59 56 2005 4,319 48 77 2006 6,811 108 61 Statistics provided for 2006 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the Family Reunification application from the person in question was refused on the 29th August 2006. The legal representative of the person concerned has submitted a request seeking a review of this decision together with further supporting documentation. This is currently being reviewed and a decision will issue in due course.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am accepting amendments Nos. 52 and 64 and amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 155.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: On Wednesday, 4 April 2007.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is evidence but it does not prescribe the weight to be attached to that evidence and if it is cross-examined it could dribble away to nothing. If it appeared in the circumstances that it was a gratuitous or arbitrary opinion, then that evidence may mean nothing but at least it is admissible in the matter. I will look at Deputy Howlin's proposed amendment which is the taking out of the...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The phrase "that it is evidence" does not mean that it is conclusive evidence which a court must follow or to which it must attach a degree of weight. The phrase in question merely means that it is evidence along those lines. If, at the end of the argument, the court is to inquire whether it has any evidence that the prosecution's case is correct, the answer will be that it has that...

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that.

Criminal Justice Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not the intention of the parliamentary counsel or me that some formula of words might override the issue. In my view, opinion evidence from a chief superintendent shall be receivable. However, the weight to be attached to that evidence or the import it carries are entirely matters for the court.