Results 8,281-8,300 of 18,755 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: No debate is promised. It is a matter for the Whips.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together. The numbers of sexual assaults and rapes reported to the Garda Síochána in the Kerry Division are recorded in the Annual Reports of An Garda Síochána for the relevant years, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of persons that had a...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible, within the timeframe available, to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength (all ranks) of the Divisional Drugs unit in the Kerry Division of An Garda Síochána, as on 31 December 2002 and 17 October 2006 respectively, is as per the following table. In addition to the work undertaken by that unit, all Garda personnel in the Division have responsibility for the enforcement of drug legislation....

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the maximum waiting time for legal aid at the Legal Aid Board's law centre in Wexford was two months at the end of September, 2006.

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: On 16 October 2006, there was a total of 2,542 persons in custody serving prison sentences. A breakdown of the number and nationalities of the sentenced persons from the 15 pre-enlargement EU Member States is set out in the following table: Nationality Number of Persons Irish 2,315 United Kingdom & Northern Irish 56 Dutch 5 Portuguese 3 Spanish 3 Italian 2 German 1 Danish 1...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position regarding the new prison facility at Thornton Hall is that work is well advanced on a number of fronts including site investigations, surveys and studies including the areas of archaeology, flora and fauna. It is intended to complete this aspect in the near future. In addition, detailed discussions have been held with Fingal County Council and other relevant bodies in relation to...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question Number 144 on the 3rd October, 2006 (30711/06) in which I dealt with a range of issues in relation to human trafficking, including the Council of Europe Convention referred to. Insofar as specific Garda operations are concerned, I can advise the Deputy that operations 'Quest' and 'Hotel' are ongoing and that An Garda...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand the Immigration Division of my Department has been in correspondence with the person concerned. Upon receipt of the documentation requested, a decision will be made on the application.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that from 2003 to date in 2006 there have been 11 proceedings commenced, with no convictions recorded, for offences under the Explosives Act, 1875 relating to fireworks. The Explosives Act, 1875 has been amended under Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 which came into effect on 1 August, 2006. The provisions of Part 6 make it an offence to ignite a...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: During 2005 E-College, a FÁS distance learning delivery programme, was piloted in the Training Unit where it has been successfully implemented. In 2005, 4 prisoners completed a range of course activities and to date, in 2006, 15 prisoners have completed or are currently engaged on the programme. Following the successful implementation of the pilot it is planned to extend the programme to...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: A new work training database system was developed in 2005 to facilitate the tracking of prisoners' participation and progress in work and vocational training activities and courses during their time in custody. It will also assist in the monitoring and evaluation of the level and effectiveness of work and training services to prisoners. The new database was rolled out to six institutions...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 to 196, inclusive, together. The CONNECT project was launched in 2000 as a part of the Prison Service Training and Development Programme under the National Development Plan. There is no separate budget for this programme and it was not funded by the European Union. The funding involved has been provided annually by the exchequer as part of the Prisons...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the original review has been completed and, having been examined by senior Garda management, a full disciplinary inquiry under the direction of a Chief Superintendent from outside the Division in question has now been directed. As this inquiry is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware over the years numerous organisations have requested and have been given the assistance of Gardaí on a non-public duty basis. Traditionally Gardaí have been made available for the performance of such duties and the State has charged for their services. At present organisers of events pay for the cost of non-public duties performed by Gardaí on duty inside the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned sought to renew his permission to remain in the State on the basis that he was the spouse of an EU citizen. He contended when requested to provide documentation in relation to his renewal that he was entitled to an automatic renewal and was not required to provide any documentation. The case was the subject of High Court proceedings and the matter was determined in March,...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (18 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 — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to Bulgarian nationals following accession of Bulgaria in 2007, in particular with regards to the right of work, has not been finalised. Any overall decision made will clearly have application to the case of the person referred by the Deputy. Whatever the decision, Bulgarians will be treated no less favourably in terms of immigration to Ireland than at present. On the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted leave to remain in the State for a twelve month period on 12 April, 2005. In January this year she submitted an application for leave to remain on behalf of her daughter, Relebohile, who had entered the State sometime in 2005, the date of her entry into the State, is as yet unknown. The person should now contact my Department to apply for renewal of her...

Seanad: Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Motion (18 Oct 2006)

Michael McDowell: Pre-nuptial agreements between two persons who intend to marry each other are intended to settle, in advance of their marriage, financial and property matters as well as other issues, including child custody arrangements, both generally and in the event of the breakdown of the marriage. The motivation for the parties to a pre-nuptial agreement may be to make a pre-marriage contract for the...