Results 6,661-6,680 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda investigation into this matter is ongoing and that enquiries with the Colombian authorities are continuing. I am further informed that when these are completed, the Garda Síochána will further consider referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 344 and 345 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of persons were arrested and a significant sum of money was recovered as part of a Garda operation in February 2005. In this regard, an extensive Garda investigation was conducted, which included enquiries in Northern Ireland. I am further informed that the Garda Síochána has...

Written Answers — Unlawful Organisations: Unlawful Organisations (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 346 and 347 together. Pursuant to the Unlawful Organisation (Suppression) Order 1939, the organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (also the IRA and Óglaigh na hÉireann) is an unlawful organisation. The so-called Provisional IRA continues to exist but has been on ceasefire since 1997 and is not currently involved in terrorist or criminal...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: My Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, initiated a pilot project aimed at combating incidents of graffiti in Dublin City, Galway City and Bray, Co. Wicklow. Fingal County Council was not included in the pilot project. This project is separate from, and additional to,...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 11th December, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 2nd January, 2007. The Visa Officer who examined the application was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation submitted, as to the relevance of the English course to the applicant's employment. The financial...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2006 provides the legal basis for the operation of authorised checkpoints by Gardaí for the mandatory alcohol testing of drivers, without individual suspicion that the driver has consumed alcohol. The legislation provides that a member of An Garda Síochána, not below the rank of Inspector, may authorise the establishment of checkpoints under the section,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that persons who fail mandatory alcohol tests (MAT) do not receive fixed charge notices and therefore payment of fines at that stage does not arise. Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006 a person stopped at a MAT checkpoint is required to provide a preliminary breath test. A person who fails or refuses to comply with a MAT may be prosecuted and...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is currently being researched and will be submitted at an early date. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted permission to remain in the State on 24 February 2005 for two years under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005 for non-national parents of Irish children born prior to 1 January 2005 and commonly referred to as the IBC/05 scheme. Advertisements inviting applications for renewal of permission to remain granted under the IBC/05 scheme...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: There is no automatic entitlement to residency in the State for a non-EU national on the basis of marriage to an Irish national. However, I do consider applications which are made in writing to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department for permission to remain in the State on this separate basis. If granted, the non-EU national will be entitled to reside in the State,...

Written Answers — Naturalisation and Immigration Services: Naturalisation and Immigration Services (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service operates four helplines for applicants for visas, citizenship, residency status and related immigration matters. I am informed that callers to the helplines are greeted by an automated answering service with recorded information messages and a menu option which effectively asks them which of the four helplines they...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: An application for naturalisation from the person in question was received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 14 March 2006. Applications received in the second half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 6,300 applications awaiting processing before that of this applicant. It is likely that the processing of this application will commence in mid-2008....

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 29th August, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the application was taken on 18th October, 2006. The Visa Officer who examined the application was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation submitted, as to the bona fides of the applicant. An appeal against the refusal decision was...

Written Answers — Legal Services Ombudsman: Legal Services Ombudsman (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The establishment of the office of Legal Services Ombudsman is provided for in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006. Appointment of the Legal Services Ombudsman will follow enactment of the Bill which is at present awaiting Committee Stage in the House.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: As I have indicated to the Deputy by way of response to his recent representations, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. In the case of a non-national applicant who...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the Immigration Division of my Department that the person in question made a Family Reunification application on behalf her husband 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...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The statistics requested by the Deputy are not readily available as they relate to a period more than 20 years ago before computer records were maintained. The retrieval of these statistics from paper files would require a large amount of time and resources and if they are to be provided this will impinge upon the delivery of services elsewhere.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of an increase in anti-social behaviour and vandalism incidents reported in the area concerned. An initiative has therefore been put in place, involving increased patrols by Gardaí during the times when these incidents are occurring, and this has resulted in the arrest of a number of persons for such incidents....

Written Answers — Garda Communications: Garda Communications (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána Information and Communications Technology (ICT) strategy identifies the requirement for an enterprise-wide email system within An Garda Síochána. Rollout, which is currently ongoing, provides external e-mail facilities to all Gardaí for Superintendent rank and above. Accordingly, all District headquarters can be contacted by members of the public via Email to the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the introduction of a Corporate Manslaughter Bill in the UK in 2006. The offence was proposed in a UK Law Commission Report in 1996 and the Bill was introduced in Parliament last year. The current law in Ireland does allow for a corporate prosecution for manslaughter, but there is considerable uncertainty as to the precise form of that liability. In the context of an amendment...