Results 5,981-6,000 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Síochána that its code of practice in respect of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) came into effect in April 2006. The Deputy will understand that it is not the practice and it would not be in the public interest to comment on the specifics of the operation of this system, as to do so could potentially adversely affect ongoing and future Garda operations....

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Considerable progress has been made since 2000 in relation to the operation of the asylum determination process in the State. The progress achieved has been the result of a combination of factors including increased investment in the asylum determination agencies, the strengthening of the legislative framework for asylum and immigration generally, increased co-operation between Government...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The total number of cases considered for deportation under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), for the five year period 2002-2006 and the results thereof are shown in Table A as follows: Table A — Deportation orders made and effected — 2002 to 2006 Year Number of deportation orders made Number of deportation orders effected 2002 2,430 521 2003 2,411 591 2004...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that comprehensive services are in place for persons who apply for refugee status in the State. Insofar as my Department is concerned, applicants for asylum are entitled to have their applications processed at first instance by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, as appropriate, at appeals stage by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Applicants also...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The legislation for which I have responsibility in my Department is as contained in the Government's Legislative Programme announced by the Chief Whip on 30 January 2007. The ordering of the legislation that is before the House and any other measures I may bring forward is a matter for the Government Chief Whip in consultation with other Whips.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible in the time available for the Garda authorities to supply the details requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together. 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...

Written Answers — Internet Use: Internet Use (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 to 91, inclusive, together. I have already answered a similar Questions to the ones tabled by the Deputy and I refer the Deputy to my answer to those Questions (Nos. 191 to 194) given on the 14 February 2007. If the Deputy wishes, I will repeat what I said then. As I outlined earlier by its very nature, the internet lends itself to being used for a wide...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the submission to me in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, I decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: In view of the nature of the question and in order to supply the details requested by the Deputy it is necessary for the Garda authorities to make enquires in each Garda Division. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Criminal Injury Compensation: Criminal Injury Compensation (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that under the terms of Article 2 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted, the Tribunal is entirely responsible for deciding individual applications including appeals against first instance decisions by the Tribunal. I understand, however, that the appeal referred to is in line for hearing and that the Secretary to the Tribunal will...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question 129 of 29 November 2006. At present there is no Family Reunification application pending in respect of the above named. The person concerned arrived in the State on 8 June, 2005 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 7 February 2007, a letter issued from my office on 13 February, 2007 to the Deputy clarifying the details given in my reply in relation to the personnel strength of Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 99 to 102, inclusive, together. Three tenderers have submitted tenders in respect of the Thornton Hall Prison Public Private Partnership Project. The tenders are being evaluated by a team comprising senior Irish Prison Service managers, prison governors, and representatives of the National Development Finance Agency. The evaluation team has the...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Four consortia were short-listed to receive the tender documentation and three of those have submitted tenders. It is in the nature of tender competitions that it is open to any bidder to withdraw from a competition without giving reasons. I am not in a position to give the reason why a particular consortium has decided not to proceed in this competition.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The provision of services to the site forms part of the invitation to tender and it is, therefore, a matter for the successful bidder to provide services to the site. The local authority will take the services in charge once they have been completed.

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The site for the proposed prison at Thornton Hall is accessed by the R130 road which, prior to the purchase of the site, was assessed and found to be fully adequate to meet the requirements of the development. The tender documentation provides for some works on the existing road in the context of the provision of services to the site. The question of providing a separate dedicated access has...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 370 on Wednesday 31 January 2007. The position remains as stated.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Applications for naturalisation from the persons in question were received in the Citizenship Division of my Department on 21 January 2005. While both persons are recognized refugees, the second-named person did not satisfy the residency requirement as set out in Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended. I will normally waive two years of the statutory...