Results 6,261-6,280 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006 extended the force majeure leave entitlement from the 1998 Act to employees in respect of persons, including same sex partners, with whom they have a degree of domestic dependency. That was another step forward that was taken by this Government, rather than the Labour Party. The decision to allow gay couples to take force majeure leave delivered on...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: ——has been achieved by this Government.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I hear all this ranting and raving but the fact is the Opposition cannot point to one thing they ever achieved — not one thing.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Stand up and tell the House one thing you achieved.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is fascinating to be told by people that we know nothing about constitutional law when they produced equal status legislation which was flung out by the Supreme Court.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy was having a senior moment when that was dealt with a moment ago.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: He must have been having a senior moment as that was dealt with a moment ago.

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: A political consensus is emerging towards legislating in this area, hence this debate tonight. This mirrors an emerging international trend to provide enhanced rights and recognition to cohabitants and particularly to same-sex cohabiting couples. However, there is no uniform international approach to statutory recognition and protection for same-sex civil unions. A small number of...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Bill is also premature because it would clearly be unwise to attempt to provide a statutory scheme equivalent to marriage for same-sex couples until the Supreme Court appeal on the recognition of a foreign same-sex marriage has been decided. I look to section 5 of this Bill which would purport to decide the issue before the Supreme Court in the Zappone case and I do not believe it is...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (20 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Government fully accepts that same-sex couples and other unmarried cohabiting couples require heightened legal protection. Many cohabiting couples share property, home life and income, and want to care for one another, to be next-of-kin to each other and to be cared for in that context and to have legal rights to do so. While it is open to couples to regulate at least some aspects of...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was granted a C visit visa to enter the State for a period of three months. It now appears that she is seeking an extension of her permission to remain in the State. A wrap-around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 43 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the investigation into the murder of the person referred to is currently being reviewed with a view to establishing new lines of inquiry.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Chief Superintendent has been appointed by the Garda Commissioner to carry out a fact finding investigation into the full circumstances of the failure to react to the Interpol communication and the subsequent statement to the effect that such a document had not been received by An Garda Síochána. I am awaiting the outcome of the investigation...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made an application for asylum in March 2002. He subsequently withdrew that application and made an application for leave to remain on the basis of his Irish Born Child in April 2002. Representations were subsequently received from the legal representative of the person concerned in connection with his wish to take up employment as a Temporary Registered Doctor. In...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person in question currently has permission to remain in the State until July 2007 on the basis of being the spouse of a work permit holder. There is no record of a separate application for permission to engage in business in the State from the person concerned. As a Jamaican national, the person concerned would require permission to operate a business in the State. An application can...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (15 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 Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that on the road referred to there were 117 collisions in 2006, with two people killed in one collision. In 2005 there were 127 collisions with one fatality.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application in October 2006. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. When this investigation is completed, the Commissioner will prepare and forward a report to my Department....

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The case referred to by the Deputy falls under the scope of the Dublin II Regulation, (Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003). This Regulation is intended to prevent the phenomenon of 'asylum shopping' across Europe and sets out criteria for determining which Member State is responsible for examining an asylum application where applications have been lodged in more than one Member State or...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (15 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question number 152 of 14 December, 2006, in respect of the mother in this instance. As you are aware, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, (ORAC), determined in accordance with the terms of the Dublin II Regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003, that France is responsible for examining the mother's asylum application in...