Results 6,321-6,340 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Feb 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 — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I informed the Deputy in response to Question 101 of 9 November 2006 that the application for the first named person would be presented to me for decision in due course and this remains the position. Applications for certificates of naturalisation on behalf of the latter two persons, who are minors, were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 15 August 2006. Applications on...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to make public comment on the details of Garda surveillance procedures and practices, including associated surveillance equipment. However, the Garda authorities have informed me that the Garda organisation has access to any equipment necessary to operational personnel in the investigation and detection of crime and that...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (13 Feb 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 Investigations: Garda Investigations (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, together. I am in contact with the Garda authorities concerning the matters raised and I will be in touch directly with the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Funding, as a percentage of net allocation allocated to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform from European funds for each of the years 2000 to 2006 is set out in the table. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 3.1% 4.5% 3.2% 5.7% 7.2% 9.4% 4.9%

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 14 and 30 of 7 December 2006. The position is as set out therein.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 creates a simple offence of damaging property without lawful excuse. Section 4 of the Act creates the offence of having custody or control of anything with intent to cause damage to property. Both of these offences are punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding €1,270 and/or imprisonment...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is actively policed by Gardaí from Donnybrook Garda District. There are regular foot, mobile and mountain bike patrols carried out by uniform and plain clothes Gardaí with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible presence in the area. These patrols are supplemented by the District Detective Unit, as well as the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of Tuesday, 3 October, 2006 (Ref 30521/06) and the written reply to that Question. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation on behalf of the persons concerned, who are minors, were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 16 June 2006. Applications on behalf of minors generally require less processing than standard adult applications and it is therefore usually possible to finalise them more quickly. Based on current processing trends, it is likely...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 7 October, 2004 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 10 November, 2006, that...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am advised that the Office of Public Works has recently carried out some essential repair works to the station referred to by the Deputy and that further works are planned in the near future. The Garda Authorities and the Office of Public Works are currently working out details of a major replacement programme for smaller rural Garda stations and the station in question falls to be...

Written Answers — Mitigation Petitions: Mitigation Petitions (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I want to put on the record of this House that, at no time since my appointment as Minister, have I ever directed the early release of any prisoner on foot of representation from any quarter. I further want to put on the record of this House that at no time since my appointment as Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform in June 2002 have I ever exercised my powers to commute or remit any...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service disposed of the following properties since May 2002: Castleview House, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim by public tender for €0.18m; Everton House, Cabra Road, Dublin 7 by public tender for €0.71m; 21 acres of land was sold at Shanganagh Castle, Shankhill, Co Dublin to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on a negotiated basis for...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: Following the enactment of the Road Traffic Act 2006, the procurement procedure for the provision and operation of safety cameras by a service provider is underway. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is intended that the service provider will be required to collect and process all data on speeding obtained by the mobile and fixed safety cameras used. The service provider will...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 to 271, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that a Request for Tender for the supply and delivery of 11,000 Anti-Stab/Ballistic vests (with an option to purchase an additional 4,000) was published in the EU Journal and the Government's tendering website on 8th May, 2006. These Anti Stab Vests will be provided to all uniform members....

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 275, inclusive, together. I am advised by Garda Authorities that, to date, an initial 1,300 Ballistic Vests with anti-stab properties have been delivered to the Garda Síochána and that these vests have been issued to Detectives. A Request for Tender for the supply and delivery of up to 2,100 (an initial supply of 1,500 with an option to purchase a...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy can be assured that there is an enormous work programme in place to progress the refurbishment or replacement of specific Garda stations in order to bring them up to the highest standard. Between the start of 2005 to the end of 2007, the Office of Public Works will have spent approximately €112 million on a wide range of Garda building projects. In 2005 alone, that Office spent...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (13 Feb 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 279, inclusive, together. A large range of vehicles currently is in use by the Garda Authorities including marked and unmarked cars, vans, motor cycles, 4 X 4 vehicles, minibuses and lorries. The allocation or reallocation of these vehicles is constantly assessed by the Garda authorities. The number and type of vehicles currently available for use by...