Results 6,721-6,740 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prison Inspections: Prison Inspections (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the allegations made to the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention, during the course of his inspection of Wheatfield Prison in 2006 (and as set out in his recently published Report), of an incident of bullying and racism arising from an alleged assault by the Prisoners on a non-national Prisoner in the prison. The Inspector's Report is available on my Department's...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the additional hours system has not resulted in a curtailment of services to prisoners in Wheatfield Prison. While it is the case that the agreed staffing configurations in the industrial area in Wheatfield Prison have not yet been achieved, it is expected that they will be achieved very shortly. In the meantime, however, all workshops in...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that there was an error on their website in this respect which has now been corrected. I am further informed that on 29 January, 2007 there were no persons aged 17 years or under in Wheatfield Prison and, furthermore, that no such person has been held there in recent times. The Deputy will be aware that the Children Act 2001,...

Written Answers — Comhfhreagras Ranna: Comhfhreagras Ranna (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Is féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhféachann mo Roinnse, i gcomhréir le Cairt Chustaiméirí na Roinne, le tromlach na gcumarsáidí i scríbhinn a admháil laistigh de 5 lá oibre tar éis iad a fháil, agus le freagra críochnaitheach a sholáthar laistigh de 20 lá oibre. Níl saintréimhsí ama próiseála de réir theanga na cumarsáide ar fáil go réidh, áfach. Toisc...

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

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: 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 requirements. The...

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

Michael McDowell: As outlined in Parliamentary Question put down for answer on the 10 October 2006 (PQ no. 31588/06) 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...

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

Michael McDowell: I am aware that there is a need for a new Divisional Headquarters in Wexford and in this regard the Office of Public Works are finalising the purchase of a new site. As soon as this process is complete, the OPW will engage contractors for the building of the new station. In the interim, any essential maintenance to the existing station will be carried out under the Garda maintenance programme.

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Cairo. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse the application was taken on September 5th, 2006. The Visa Officer who examined the application was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation submitted, that the applicant would adhere to the conditions of the visa. An appeal against the refusal decision was...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: St. Patrick's Institution have acquired the services, on a part time basis, of two physical education teachers. The teachers will provide four sessions per week. It is anticipated that each session will be attended by approximately eight offenders. This arrangement commenced on Monday, 22 January, 2007 and four sessions were held in the first week of operation.

Written Answers — Bail Laws: Bail Laws (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 422, 464 and 465 together. The House will appreciate that the granting of bail is a matter for the courts and that the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is, of course, independent in the performance of his functions, is the State for the purposes of dealing with such applications. Moreover, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the circumstances...

Written Answers — Law Reform Commission: Law Reform Commission (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 2 February 2006. The position is as outlined therein.

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

Michael McDowell: My Department has no record of a current visa application in respect of the person in question. An application was received from the individual concerned on 6th June, 2006. However, this application was refused on 3rd July, 2006. No appeal in respect of this decision was received. The period allowed to make an appeal has now passed. If the person concerned still wishes to travel to Ireland a...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 428, 431 and 432 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total cost of the policing operation at the Corrib gas project in Ballinaboy, Co. Mayo, from 3 October, 2006, to 25 January, 2007, is approximately €3.14 million, including all salary, overtime, temporary transfer and other related costs. I am further informed that the total...

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 4th January, 2007. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 18th January, 2007. The application was refused because the Visa Officer was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant had demonstrated a sufficient obligation to return home...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No 387 of 27 September 2006 regarding this person's eligibility to make an application for a certificate of naturalisation. As I explained to the Deputy at that time, the person in question did not satisfy the statutory residency conditions, as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended. Consequently, he...

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

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: 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 requirements. An...

Written Answers — Remembrance Fund: Remembrance Fund (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The Remembrance Fund is administered by the Remembrance Commission under the terms of the Scheme of Acknowledgement, Remembrance and Assistance to Victims in this Jurisdiction of the Conflict in Northern Ireland. In November the Government approved my proposal to extend the term of the Commission and the Remembrance Fund until 31 October, 2007. All applications for assistance are assessed in...

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

Michael McDowell: As outlined in Parliamentary Question put down for answer on the 28th November 2006 (PQ no. 40422/06) 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...

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

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to in the Deputy's question were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 28 March 2003 and I decided to refuse both of them. Upon examination of both files it was found that while the applicants had been granted refugee status in 2002 they did not fulfil the three years reckonable residency requirement...