Results 8,241-8,260 of 18,755 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Director General of the Irish Prison Service made the decision, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, that for operational reasons, the holding cells would be closed with immediate effect and that they would no longer accommodate prisoners. It is his professional view that leaving the holding cells in use following such an incident would have been entirely inappropriate. I can...

Written Answers — : (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Director General of the Irish Prison Service is authorised under the Public Service Management Act 1997 to lead, manage and direct the prison service on a day-to-day basis. He gave an instruction, which was within his remit, in the immediate aftermath of the incident that, for operational reasons, the holding cells in Mountjoy Prison would be closed with immediate effect and that they...

Written Answers — : (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of seven padded cells in Mountjoy prison were converted for use as special observation and close observation cells. In addition two 'chill out' rooms were provided in the B base. The work was completed earlier this year. In the B base, conversion of 2 holdings cells is currently underway. One is being converted to a shower area and the other to a waiting area and single cell. In...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel that there are no riot squad Gardaí (Public Order Units) on duty at Ballinaboy.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently ten Gardaí (all ranks) who have been temporarily transferred to Belmullet Garda Station from stations within the Mayo Division since 2 October 2006.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1123 of 25 January 2006 regarding to the person in question. Judicial Review proceedings, which were instituted on 29 September 2005, are still ongoing. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on the matter.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (19 Oct 2006)

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 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Deputy's question refers to the last 12 months. I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics are not compiled in such way as to give the number of drivers detected speeding at 50 to 60 km/h, 50 to 80 km/h and in excess of 100 km/h for the last 12 months. The amount of time it would take to compile such information could not be justified and would involve a...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 9 October 2006, my Department wrote to the person's legal representatives inviting them to lodge further representations regarding their client's application for leave to remain. I expect the case file in this matter to be submitted to me for decision in due course. This decision will be taken having regard to considerations specified in Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 5 June 2001 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 March 2003, that the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (19 Oct 2006)

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 April 2006. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation for adults is approximately 24 months at the present time. However, I understand that the persons concerned are refugees. In accordance with the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State on 16 April, 2003 and applied for asylum. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The person in question was granted temporary leave to remain in the State on 30 November, 2004, and this was renewed on 1 December, 2005....

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 18 July, 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was deemed to be withdrawn as he failed to inform the Refugee Applications Commissioner of his address, as provided for in Section 9(4A)(b) of the Refugee Act. Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, the Minister decided to refuse the person...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to his question of 27 September 2006 regarding the persons in question. There is no separate procedure for considering residency solely on the basis of the length of time a non-EU national is present in the State. The immigration status of the persons concerned is still currently under review.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No 239 on 25 May 2006. Whether the persons referred to in the Deputy's question satisfy the statutory residency requirement depends on their having kept their permission to remain in the State up-to-date at all times. Assuming that this is the case, it appears that the lady in question satisfied the residency requirement in May...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made a Family Reunification application in June 2005. The application was forwarded to the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. This investigation is completed and the Commissioner has forwarded a report to my Department. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order. This...

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Bill will be published this session and will deal with the three-year rule.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: No specific legislation has been promised, but the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is sponsoring a major initiative in this matter. On a non-statutory basis, we are making preparations for a new regime for auctioneers. When the committee reports to the Department, we will prepare legislation to give effect to the reform programme.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is proposed to take No. 17, the Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages, to adjourn at 1 p.m. if not previously concluded; No. 3, the Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed; and No. 18, statements on the Green Paper on Energy, in accordance with the order of the Dáil of 10 October 2006.

Order of Business (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is proposed to publish the single electricity market Bill this session. A joint North-South process is involved and the exact timing of the Bill depends on agreement on some of the remaining issues. It is proposed to publish the Bill this session. The Health Bill 2006 is the title of the Bill that will put the social services inspectorate on a statutory basis.