Results 5,441-5,460 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to comment upon the existence or otherwise of covert Garda operational measures and associated details, if and where applicable.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy applied for a certificate of naturalisation in January 2003 and I decided to refuse the application. The reason for my decision was disclosed to the individual concerned in a letter dated 10 July 2006. It is open to the person in question to submit a further application at any time provided he satisfies the relevant statutory conditions. In doing so,...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 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 — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned claimed asylum in the State on 7 January 2004 and had her claim examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, following which it was recommended that she should be recognised as a refugee. Based on this recommendation, the person concerned was advised of my decision to issue her with a formal declaration of refugee...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have approved this application. The Citizenship section of my Department has written to the person concerned informing him of my decision. He has also been advised of the formalities to be completed before a certificate of naturalisation can issue. Once such matters are completed, a certificate of naturalisation will issue as soon as possible thereafter.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: 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 should be granted. While it is not the practice to comment in detail on...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to was received in the Citizenship section of my Department in October 2006. The case was recently submitted to me for a decision as to whether it might be expedited. However, as no reason has been put forward by the Deputy which would justify the application being dealt with ahead of other applicants, I decided...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme in June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. This Scheme...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Garda based CCTV Systems are a positive aid to policing and public safety and act as a deterrent to crime and public disorder. The schemes are usually located within the commercial and recreational areas of our towns and cities. Applications for Garda CCTV systems are assessed by the CCTV Advisory Committee (a committee set up by the Garda Commissioner) on the basis of Garda operational...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware I launched the Community Based CCTV Scheme in June 2005 in response to the demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. This Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of local community CCTV systems. Pobal...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together. It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications and I do not propose to do so in this case. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process within the framework of the Refugee Act, 1996 comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The persons in question entered the state on 18 September 1999 and applied for asylum. They were unsuccessful in their claim at initial stage with the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and at appeal before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, both of which are statutory independent bodies. They where informed of the decision to refuse to grant them refugee status by the Minister on...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table. Prison Date Visited St. Patrick's Institution 03/07/2002 Portlaoise Prison 17/02/2003 Wheatfield 21/06/2002 Castlerea 19/01/2006 Limerick 20/10/2006 Mountjoy Complex 24/07/2003 Cork 29/04/2003 Spike Island 05/04/2004 Cloverhill 21/06/2002 12/07/2004 12/11/2004 05/12/2005 Shelton Abbey 09/02/2007

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Policing arrangements for public events and in locations generally, along with the allocation of Garda resources, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. Where such events take place the Garda authorities work closely with local residents in order to avoid as far as possible disruption to local communities. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an extensive policing plan, covering the...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together. Garda Youth Diversion Projects are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, and promote civic responsibility and improve long-term...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for parents of Irish children born prior to 1 January 2005, commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme. A letter granting permission to remain in the State for two years issued on 13 September 2005. Advertisements inviting applications for renewal of permission to remain granted under the IBC/05...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Under my Department's Decentralisation Programme, around nine hundred posts are scheduled to transfer from twelve agencies to seven locations around the country. To date, one hundred and thirteen civil servants from within my Department have been re-assigned to provincial locations. By the second half of this year, we will have a presence in all seven locations when over four hundred posts...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004 and the Equal Status Acts, 2000 to 2004 prohibit direct and indirect discrimination in the area of employment and in the provision of goods and services respectively, on nine grounds. These grounds are gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. The Employment...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: My Department is considering, in consultation with other Departments, the legal and policy implications of ratification. The Government will consider whether or not to ratify based on a thorough review of the implications.

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (20 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: In keeping with the principles contained in my Department's Customer Charter and the requirements of the Disability Act, my Department endeavours to ensure, insofar as is practicable, that information provided orally is also available in an accessible format where required by persons with a hearing impairment. An internal advisory group monitors the provision of services to persons with a...