Results 6,741-6,760 of 18,728 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: The essential purpose of a criminal trial is to establish whether or not an accused is guilty of the offence charged. It is a fundamental principle of our legal system that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Alleged behaviour by the accused is at the nexus of a criminal trial and it is the accused who, if found guilty, will be liable to serious consequences in the form of...

Written Answers — Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais: Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Mar is eol don Teachta, luaitear i bhforálacha alt 71 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924: 'Sa mhéid gur féidir é agus gach ní a bhaineann leis an scéal d'áireamh, beidh ag an mBreitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche, a ceapfar do Dhúthaigh ina bhfuil líomatáiste ina bhfuil an Ghaedhilg in úsáid ghenerálta, oiread eolais ar an nGaedhilg agus chuirfadh ar a chumas déanamh in...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (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 — Witness Protection Programme: Witness Protection Programme (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is established Garda policy not to disclose information relating to persons admitted to the Witness Security Programme, including quantitative data in this regard. This policy is based on the understanding that the utmost confidentiality is necessary to safeguard individuals and procedures.

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

Michael McDowell: The visa referred to by the Deputy was endorsed on the passport of the person in question on 17th November, 2006 valid until 16th February, 2007. This permits the individual concerned to travel to Ireland between those two dates only. The visa does not guarantee entry into the State. The Immigration Officer at the port of entry has the authority to grant or deny admission, and to decide on...

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

Michael McDowell: The Government approved the drafting of the criminal law (trafficking in persons and sexual offences) Bill 2006 last July. It is at present being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill is criminal law legislation which will implement the criminal law aspects of EU, UN and Council of Europe instruments on trafficking by creating offences of recruiting, transporting,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 442 and 463 together. I recently announced my intention to ask the Government to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings. I also stated that it is intended, as part of the new Immigration policy framework, to provide a clear policy statement setting out how these cases will be managed once it is established that...

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

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that the guidelines in relation to members of An Garda Síochána serving at certain stations are set out in An Garda Síochána Code. In the above regard, the position is that a member is not permitted to serve at any Station which is within 32 kilometres of any place where the member, or the member's spouse/partner, has relatives permanently residing;...

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

Michael McDowell: I have requested a report from the Garda Commissioner in the matter and I will be in contact with the Deputy when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of Thursday 7th December 2006 (ref 42178/06). I can add that the final report of the pilot project was received by my Department on Thursday 25th January 2007. Officials of my Department had a meeting with representatives of the NDVIA on 29th January 2007 and explained to the NDVIA that, in accordance with customary...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (31 Jan 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 — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (31 Jan 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 — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (31 Jan 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 — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 on 31 December, 2006 the total number of persons recruited to An Garda Síochána reached an all-time high of 14,068. Following the attestation of 299 new members on 16 November, 2006., the attested strength reached a record 13,000. This compares with a total...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda Commissioner is preparing a draft code of ethics, that includes standards of conduct and practice for members of the Garda Síochána, for submission to me under section 17 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. As part of this preparation, the Commissioner will consult with the bodies specified in that section before submitting the draft to me. It is my intention to establish the code...

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

Michael McDowell: The information required to respond to the Deputy is being compiled by the Garda authorities and I will communicate with him as soon as the information comes to hand.

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

Michael McDowell: The statutory requirements for naturalisation are set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. This provides that applicants for naturalisation, other than spouses of Irish citizens, must have been resident for five years of the nine year period prior to the date of application. Resident in this context means residence for which the applicant had the permission of...

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

Michael McDowell: The illegal use of mobile phones in prisons and places of detention has the capacity to compromise the security of the institution and the safety of the staff and other prisoners. I am advised that mobile phones have been used by prisoners to continue some of their illegal activities including organising the smuggling of contraband into prisons. The Irish Prison Service, in common with...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: Persons in the State considered to be illegal immigrants, have come from a range of different circumstances, including: failing to present to an Immigration Officer at the time of arrival in the State, for the purposes of seeking permission to enter and remain in the State; obtaining a permission to enter the State by deception, through the production of bogus travel documents and/or the...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (31 Jan 2007)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following tables show the number of arrests made, proceedings commenced and convictions for the offences of cultivating or manufacturing of drugs, possession of drugs for sale or supply and simple possession in the Cork West Garda Division for the years 2001 to 2006. I should mention that the figure for convictions is likely to increase as...