Results 9,541-9,560 of 18,749 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to is serving a life sentence for murder since December 1992. His case was reviewed by the Interim Parole Board in early 2002 and, following that review, the then Minister agreed to his transfer to the Training Unit. His temporary release programme was suspended in 2003 when he tested positive for cannabis on his return to the Training Unit. He was subsequently transferred...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is covered by Finglas Garda Station and that they are aware of the concerns of the residents of this area in relation to anti-social behaviour. The area is patrolled regularly by the local patrol cars and by members of the Community Policing Unit on foot and bicycle patrols. These patrols are augmented by the Divisional Crime...

Written Answers — Stardust Tragedy: Stardust Tragedy (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the position remains as set out in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 352 (ref:11568/06) on 28th March, 2006.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Assistant Commissioner of the Western Region has appointed a Garda Superintendent from outside the Garda Division in which the fatal collision referred to by the Deputy took place to carry out a full assessment of the investigation into the collision. The review will include an assessment of the investigation file forwarded to the Director of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The applications for certificates of naturalisation referred to by the Deputy were received in the Citizenship Section of my Department in October 2005. Applications received in the first half of 2004 are currently being processed and there are approximately 5,500 applications awaiting processing before those of the persons in question. It is likely that processing of the applications in...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by An Garda Síochána that they are aware of the identity of a number of Irish citizens who currently reside outside this jurisdiction and are believed to be involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. In fact, many of these individuals choose to reside abroad for a variety of reasons, not least of which are the ongoing activities of An Garda Síochána in...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86 prohibit gambling except in certain specifically defined circumstances. Casino-style operations are not covered within these exceptions. Such operations are therefore unlawful. I have no proposals that would alter the present policy of the Acts, but rather to tighten the enforceability of that policy...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (21 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.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Grade PO 0 0 0 0 0 AP 0 0 0 0 0 HEO 0 0 1 0 0 EO 7 8 12 6 0 SO 0 0 0 0 0 CO 37 50 66 33 18 Total 44 58 79 39 18 * The method of recording this data changed in 2003. The figures for 2002 refer to the Head Office and Asylum Divisions of the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (21 Jun 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 am further...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I requested a report from the Garda authorities in respect of the issues raised by the Deputy. The person referred to attended District Court 53 on 31 May, 2006 following summons for an alleged offence of careless driving on 30 August, 2004. This prosecution was directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The summons was adjourned to the 28 November, 2006. However, the person referred to...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (21 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: At the outset I should say that the tragic deaths to which the Deputy refers are unrelated save for the fact that both occurred following detention in Garda custody. The circumstances of the first case are quite different from those of the second case. In the first case, unlike the second case, all are agreed that the young man in question suffered serious injuries in a Garda Station. In so...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service is bound by the guidelines for the award of added years for pension purposes as provided by the Department of Finance. I have been informed that information was sought by the Irish Prison Service, in the first instance, from the Public Appointments Service in relation to the terms of recruitment of the officer concerned in order to ascertain whether he is eligible to...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on 13 June, gave the House a detailed account of the matter referred to by the Deputy. This followed a meeting with the US Ambassador on 12 June, at which the Ambassador conveyed his deep regret for the breach of procedures, and confirmed his authorities' determination that the use of Irish airspace and airports by the US be completely...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Land Registry is scheduled to decentralise two hundred and thirty posts to Roscommon and the organisation is actively pursuing its decentralisation implementation programme. I understand that negotiations by the Office of Public Works on the acquisition of a site for the permanent accommodation are at an advanced stage and construction is scheduled to be completed in mid-2009....

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they were not advised in advance of a planned bomb attack on the Sinn Féin offices in Monaghan in March 1997.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 387 together. Article 18 of the EC Treaty lays down the right of every citizen of the Union to move freely within the territory of the Member States, subject to the limitations and conditions laid down in the EC Treaty and by measures adopted to give it effect. The rights of Union citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: In order to avail of the Free Movement of Persons Directive a national of a non Member State married to a citizen of the Union must be lawfully resident in a Member State when he moves to another member State to which the citizen of the Union is migrating or has migrated. This principle has been established by the European Court of Justice in a ruling dated 23 September, 2003. The person...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to is serving cumulative sentences totalling 22 months for assault causing harm and handling stolen property. He was committed to custody on 22 September, 2005 and is due for release on 17 February, 2007. I am advised that this person has been subject to numerous disciplinary reports since his committal to prison custody for incidents such as fighting, assaulting...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Jun 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 prohibits casino-type operations, and I am strongly of the view that there should be no departure from settled policy in this area. As I already indicated in an earlier Parliamentary Question (No. 409 on 4 April 2006) I have concerns about the enforceability of the present law as it applies to casino-style operations and the scope for use of such operations...