Results 5,621-5,640 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that proposition.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept the proposition that any reasonable court could construe the section——

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I do not believe that somebody who goes to visit a child, having telephoned that child twice in the child's life before, and who kisses his girlfriend in front of the child, is committing an offence under this section.

Written Answers — Regulatory Reform: Regulatory Reform (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 223 of 13th February 2007. The position remains that my Department is examining the recommendations contained in the Report of the Law Reform Commission on Vulnerable Adults and the Law, in consultation with other Departments, the Attorney General, the Courts Service, and other interests with a view to their implementation as soon...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Section 28 (1)(a) of the Disability Act 2005 provides that each public body is required to ensure, as far as practicable, that information which is orally provided to the public is provided in an accessible format, where so requested by persons with hearing impairments. In July of last year I launched a Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's question was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in December 2003. Officials in the Citizenship Section of my Department 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. The person in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: In view of the nature of the questions and in order to supply the details requested by the Deputy I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is necessary to make enquiries at each Garda Division. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — : (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Legislation providing for the issue of fixed charge notices requires that motorists detected for committing offences be issued with a fixed charge notice. The legislation also provides that the paying of the fixed charge is a discretionary option which rests with the recipient of the fixed charge notice. Prosecutions for such offences can only be initiated where the recipient of the notice...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 229 of Tuesday, 21st November, 2006, 613 of Thursday, 6th July, 2006, 582 & 599 of Tuesday, 4th July, 2006, 200 of Thursday, 29th June, 2006, 193 of Thursday, 18th May, 2006, and 325 of Tuesday, 9th May, 2006, and the written replies to those Questions. The person concerned arrived in the State on 5 November, 2003 and was given permission to...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Immigration Division of my Department have been in touch with the person in question requesting further documentation. On receipt of same the application will be further processed.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 212 on the 12th December 2006, 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...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Sex Offenders Act, 2001 sets out notification requirements under Part 2 of the Act. An Garda Síochána has responsibility for enforcement of the Act. I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 3 March, 2007 there are 1,110 persons subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act, 2001.

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour Orders: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I commenced Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 regarding civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by an adult on 1 January, 2007. A person behaves in an anti-social manner if the person causes or, in the circumstances, is likely to cause, to one or more persons who are not of the same household as the person (a) harassment, (b) significant or persistent alarm, distress,...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: Operation Anvil commenced in the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) on 17 May, 2005. It is an intelligence led policing initiative, the focus of which is the targeting of active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static check points by uniform, mobile and foot...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Appointment Regulations for the Garda Síochána, including educational requirements, are kept under continuing review. The requirement to have a qualification in two languages, one of which must be Irish or English, was put in place in 2005 as part of a process to considerably widen eligibility for entry to the Garda Síochána. The experience of these recent changes will be carefully...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: A decision was taken in 2001 to amalgamate the Garda Stations at Kill O'Grange and Cabinteely and a site has been acquired at Rochestown Avenue by the Office of Public Works to facilitate this development. I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question Number 18593/06 of 17th May, 2006 which sets out the position.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 following the attestation of 299 new members on Thursday, 16 November, 2006. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — National Women's Strategy: National Women's Strategy (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I expect that the National Women's Strategy 2007-2016 will be published very shortly. The preparation of the strategy has involved a significant amount of research and consultation across all Government Departments and in consultation with the social partners in order to produce a comprehensive strategy that will resonate with all the women of Ireland. I believe that the strategy, when...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Mar 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by officials in the Citizenship section of my Department that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. However, I understand that the person in question applied for long term residency in June 2006. I have been informed that applications received in May 2006 are currently being examined.