Results 9,021-9,040 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The provision of equipment to members of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Commissioner. I have made funding available for necessary equipment as requested from the Commissioner and I will continue to do so. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a tender competition for the supply of anti-stab vests closed on 21 June, 2006. I have also been informed by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The provision of equipment to members of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Commissioner. I have provided the funding for equipment as requested by the Commissioner and I will continue to do so. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that while there are currently no units using any type of repellent or incapacitant sprays within the Garda Síochána, they are considering...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the person concerned is an EU Citizen and therefore is not required to obtain permission to remain in the State from the Irish Immigration authorities.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Dublin on 7th June, 2006 and is awaiting examination by a Visa Officer. A decision in respect of this application will be made in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Garda Youth Diversion Projects are community based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved (or further involved) in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development and promote civic responsibility. The Garda Youth Diversion Projects are funded by my Department and administered...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department has no responsibility with regard to high support units, special care units and detention schools. I would however refer the Deputy to Question Nos. 184 (ref: 25687/06) and 663 (ref: 25686/06) of today's date answered by my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister's for Health and Children and Education and Science.

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the ten convictions referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 174 tabled for answer on 22 June last relate to breaches of section 2 of the Illegal Immigrants Trafficking Act 2000. The prosecutions in question arose from detections at ports of entry into the State. Under the above mentioned provision, it is an offence for a person to...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (4 Jul 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 — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in touch with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — World Refugee Day: World Refugee Day (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department, through the Reception and Integration Agency, (RIA) has had a long association with the celebration of world refugee day. The agency has, over the years, worked in close association with many groups to mark this significant day in the calendar of refugee events. In cooperation with the UNHCR, RIA has organised many imaginative events around the various themes of world refugee...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: There is no common list of safe countries of origin in existence at present under EU law although discussions have taken place on such a list in the past. The present position is that under Article 29 of Council Directive 2005/85/EC of 1 December 2005 on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status, the Commission can bring forward a proposal...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,641 (all ranks) on Thursday 8 June with the attestation of 273 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,939 (or 18.1%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. I have been...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to assure the Deputy that I consider murder to be the most heinous of crimes and that the significant resources available to the Garda authorities will be brought to bear in a focused and methodical way in order to bring the persons involved in these crimes to account. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of individuals have been arrested and questioned in relation to...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: Headline crime statistics for the Garda Division of Dublin West are contained in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. I am informed by the Garda authorities that crime statistics are compiled on the basis of Garda operational areas and do not correspond to postal districts.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 572 together. The National Driver File, which includes penalty point data, is held and administered by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. An Garda Síochána are supplied with an electronic extract from the National Driver File by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on a weekly basis. The extract from...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an anti-war demonstration was advertised to coincide with the Salthill Air Show on Sunday 25 June 2006. The advertisement stated that 99 helium filled balloons would be released as part of this protest. As a result of this local Garda management consulted with the Irish Aviation Authority and were advised that the Authority had placed a six-mile air...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to in the Deputy's question submitted an application for certificate of naturalisation in February 2003. She did not have five years reckonable residence in the State at the date of her application and she was deemed to be ineligible for naturalisation. She was informed of this determination by letter in February 2005. The person concerned lodged a further application for...

Written Answers — Irish Prisoners Abroad: Irish Prisoners Abroad (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not as yet received the formal application and supporting documentation for a transfer to this country in respect of this person from the Ecuadorean authorities. The Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons requires extensive documentation to be exchanged between both jurisdictions in order to allow an application to...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is currently not aware of problems relating to illegal drug use or drug dealing in the licensed premises referred to by the Deputy. However, the Garda authorities have assured me that as part of 'Operation Fossil', which involves Gardaí from Divisional and District Drug Units liaising with personnel from the Garda...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together. As the Deputy is aware, both Dungarvan and Waterford City are two of the 17 remaining locations nationwide which form part of the Garda CCTV programme. As part of this programme 17 Garda Town Centre CCTV Systems will be implemented in the following locations: Athlone, Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clondalkin, Clonmel, Drogheda,...