Results 9,061-9,080 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years (ie: 60 months) on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit...

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

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that questions regarding the right of a non-EU national to reside and work in Estonia are a matter for the Estonian authorities. The rights of non EU nationals, who have no family connection to an EU citizen, are not covered by Community free movement legislation. This is not a matter for my Department or, indeed, the Irish Government. The Minister for Enterprise,...

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

Michael McDowell: The application referred to the Deputy was received in the Visa Office on 6th June, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was made on 3rd July, 2006. It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision. All appeals must be submitted to this office within two months of the date of the initial refusal decision.

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit has a national remit for all cases of domestic violence and sexual assault investigations. Members of the unit are available to advise and assist all members of An Garda Síochána in the investigation of such incidents. A...

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 Operations: Garda Operations (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Community Policing Unit at Mountjoy Garda station has initiated a number of operations to tackle vandalism, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the area concerned. The Garda authorities also held meetings with Dublin City Council and Irish Rail with a view to installing new lighting, a CCTV camera and raising the height of the railings...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below. The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has a budget of €1,100,000 for 2006. The Commission is charged with the disbursement of funding for victim support and assistance measures. The Commission received 40 applications for funding following a national advertising campaign and formal application process during April 2006....

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Gardaí are investigating a number of complaints regarding this type of fraud. As the Garda investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment further as this time.

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

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that funding is made available by my Department through the Probation Service for a range of facilities and programmes that support the work of the Service in the management of persons who are on court ordered supervision in the community, have been released from custody and where there is capacity for or risk of re-offending. The Probation Service supports sixty six...

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

Michael McDowell: I assume the Deputy is referring to misconduct which is comprehended by the terms of reference of the Morris Tribunal. There has been one major Garda investigation whose primary focus concerned Garda misconduct arising form the events in Donegal. That investigation, which was carried out by Assistant Commissioner Carty, was wide-ranging and covered a number of issues arising from the original...

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

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a certificate confirming the Irish citizenship of the person in question was signed on 15 May 2006 and passed to the Department of Foreign Affairs shortly after for onward transmission to the individual concerned.

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

Michael McDowell: The processing by my Department of the application from this group for funding is being finalised following some exchange of correspondence and I expect that a decision will be made shortly on the application.

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

Michael McDowell: There are 19 civilian staff currently employed in the Cavan/Monaghan Division. There are also three members of An Garda Síochána in receipt of an Ex-Gratia allowance to perform clerical duties who could be released to policing duties if civilian staff were available. However, as the Deputy will be aware, progress in relation to the appointment of additional Clerical Officers to Garda...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (4 Jul 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 623 to 626, inclusive, together. My Department was first contacted about this matter in June 2005. A request for information from the Pat Finucane Centre was transmitted to my Department via the Department of Foreign Affairs. Officials of my Department, in turn, passed this request to An Garda Síochána, and a comprehensive record search was conducted in...

Written Answers — Illicit Drugs Market: Illicit Drugs Market (29 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: Due to the clandestine nature of the drugs trade, it is not possible to accurately estimate the value of the illicit drug market in methadone in Ireland. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the level of seizures of the drug remains low. The following table shows details of methadone seizures made by An Garda Síochána for the years 2001 to 2005, inclusive: Year Quantity...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (29 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together. As the Deputy will be aware, on 16 May the EU Enlargement Commissioner, Mr. Ollie Rehn, presented the European Commission's comprehensive monitoring reports to the European Parliament. He announced that the Commission's final recommendation on the dates of accession for Bulgaria and Romania will not be made until this autumn. The...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (29 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of complaints of anti-social behaviour and the concerns of local residents in the vicinity of the licensed premises. The licensed premises, which has a full restaurant and public dancing licence, makes applications on a monthly basis for special exemptions. The premises have been subjected to inspections by Gardaí on...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (29 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being researched. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.