Results 9,041-9,060 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: The overall approved capital spending envelope available to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and associated agencies over the period 2006 to 2010 comprises of: €592m by way of direct Exchequer capital and €400m by way of PPP/NDFA investment — giving an approved total of €992m over the period. The broad objective to be achieved over the period will be to enhance the...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that an investigation file in relation to a road traffic collision on 23 November 2005, involving one of the persons referred to, was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The injured party in this incident is a member of An Garda Síochána who is a witness for the prosecution in another incident involving that person. A direction to...

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

Michael McDowell: My Department has no record of a current application in respect of the person in question.

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 599 together. I would refer the Deputy to the replies I gave to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 325 of Tuesday, 9 May, 2006; 193 of Thursday, 18 May, 2006; and 200 of Thursday, 29 June, 2006. The person in question consented, in writing, to the making of deportation orders in respect of her and her children. A decision in this case will issue in the near...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Land Registry has forwarded the information requested directly to the Deputy. I would like to refer the Deputy to my letter of 26 May, 2006 to members of the Oireachtas regarding a new service for T.D.s and Senators concerning the current status of Land Registry/Registry of Deeds applications. As outlined in my letter, the service was introduced, inter alia, to provide a...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand that the Land Registry has forwarded the information requested directly to the Deputy. I would like to refer the Deputy to my letter of 26 May, 2006 to members of the Oireachtas regarding a new service for T.D.s and Senators concerning the current status of Land Registry/Registry of Deeds applications. As outlined in my letter, the service was introduced, inter alia, to provide a...

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

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation were received from the first-named person referred to in the Deputy's question on 11 March 2004 and from the second-named person on 13 April 2004. I understand that processing of both applications has commenced and that the case files will be submitted to me for a decision in the near future. I will advise the Deputy and the persons in question...

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

Michael McDowell: The lengthy processing time for applications is primarily due to the significant increase in the volume of applications that were received in the last number of years. The following table shows the number of applications received in the years 2000 to date. Year Applications for naturalisation received 2000 1,004 2001 1,431 2002 3,574 2003 3,580 2004 4,074 2005 4,523 ...

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 — Information Technology: Information Technology (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 to 592, inclusive, together. The effective operation of my Department is dependent upon the provision of a secure, stable and flexible IT network. The IT procurement policy is designed to support this requirement, while also securing best value for money. This is in part done by, where possible, drawing off Civil Service-wide procurement contracts for...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that having reviewed the Public Access Callbox units commonly referred to as the 'Green Man' units, which are installed in Sub-District stations, they have concluded that such units are becoming increasingly obsolete as spare parts have become difficult to obtain. I am further advised that plans for replacement of faulty units with latest technology have...

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

Michael McDowell: The persons in question applied for permission to remain in the State under the revised arrangements for parents of Irish children, born before 1 January 2005. Their applications were received on 30 March 2005 and were acknowledged on 14 April 2005. The cases for the persons concerned are still active and being processed. A decision on their applications will be made when all circumstances...

Written Answers — Parental Leave Provisions: Parental Leave Provisions (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: At present there is no statutory entitlement to paternity leave. However, many employers in both the public and private sectors have arrangements in place providing short periods of paid paternity leave. Paternity leave was considered in the context of a review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a Working Group chaired by my Department. The Working Group comprised the social...

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

Michael McDowell: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. One of these conditions is that the applicant has had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of the application and, during the eight years immediately...

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

Michael McDowell: A reply to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 16 May, 2006 was issued to the Deputy on 3 July, 2006.

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

Michael McDowell: As part of the ongoing review of procedures in the Citizenship section of my Department, my officials have already commenced a process of examining the regimes in place in various jurisdictions, including the UK, with a view to applying best practices to our system where possible. Such an examination will, of course, have to have regard to the different legislative processes that exist in the...

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

Michael McDowell: The organisation referred to is known to my Department. Should the Deputy have information in relation to the practices of the organisation in question which she believes to be irregular, I will be happy to have the matter investigated on receipt of the relevant information.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Written Answers — EU Regulations: EU Regulations (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 to 605, inclusive, together. The substantive matters to which these Questions relate are outside the remit of my Department. I am, therefore, not in a position to assist the Deputy.

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

Michael McDowell: It is not possible to provide the Deputy with a comprehensive answer based on the details supplied to my Department. I would ask the Deputy to provide further details in respect of the person in question.