Results 10,261-10,280 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (17 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: A request to meet the family to discuss the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of their son has recently been received by me. The current position is that an inquest into this person's death is still ongoing. An inquest is an independent inquiry to ascertain the cause of death and the Coroner has statutory duties and powers, including the power to call witnesses. The Coroner cannot...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (17 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The National Crime Council was established in 1999 by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to facilitate broadly based and well informed discussion on crime on an ongoing basis and to serve as an important aid to policy formulation. The Council has four key roles, namely: to focus on crime prevention, with particular emphasis on the underlying causes of crime and the development...

Written Answers — Restorative Justice Services: Restorative Justice Services (17 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I was pleased to be invited, on Thursday last, 11th May, to launch the 2005 Report of Restorative Justice Services at The Iona Centre in Knocklyon. As the Deputy will be aware, the Report shows that some 100 cases were referred to the Reparation Programme in 2005 and 97 offenders successfully completed their contracts. I think the Deputy will share the view that the success of this project in...

Written Answers — Vetting Procedures: Vetting Procedures (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no requirement to hold a public service vehicle driver's licence to drive high capacity passenger vehicles. I am further informed that the only requirement is to hold the appropriate driving licence to drive such vehicles.

Written Answers — Road Safety: Road Safety (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 383 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that for the period 1 January, 2006 to 9 May, 2006 four collisions involving left hand drive cars resulted in deaths of non — Irish nationals and in the same period six left hand drive cars were involved in fatal road traffic collisions. I am also informed that the specific statistics requested are...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the testing for qualification as a public service vehicle driver commences at the local Garda station. The applicant submits his application to the local District Officer. Checks are carried out to ensure that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The application is then processed and in accordance with the regulations the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I strongly reject the assertion in the Question that I am somehow allowing the breaching of the Human Rights of prisoners. Prisoners Human Rights are safeguarded by law, by prison visits and inspections by oversight bodies viz, Prison Visiting Committees, the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention and the Council of Europe's European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being compiled by the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I informed the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No. 553 on 21 February 2006 that my officials could not proceed with the processing of the declaration of the person in question until that person made contact with my Department. An e-mail was received on 25 April 2006 from the Irish spouse of the individual concerned, informing my officials that the family was now residing outside...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Ukraine on 17th April, 2006. The decision of the Visa Officer to refuse this application was taken on 28th April, 2006. The application was refused because the Visa Officer could not be satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant had demonstrated a sufficient obligation to return home following the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (16 May 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 as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 (or 16.2%) in the personnel strength of the Force during...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship section of my Department on 18 March 2004. This application was examined recently by my officials. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory...

Written Answers — Child Protection: Child Protection (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: As a matter of general policy obviously to allow children unsupervised access to the internet is inappropriate and every opportunity should be availed of to advise parents and guardians of the need for vigilance. You may be aware that on the 7th February 2006, European Safer Internet Day, my colleague Mary Hanafin, TD, Minister for Education and Science, launched a Webwise initiative...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The total number of cases considered for deportation under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), during the years 2002-2006 (to 30 April 2006) and the results thereof are shown in the Table below: Table: Deportation orders made and effected, 2002 to 2006 (to 30 April 2006) Year Number of deportation orders made Number of deportation orders effected 2002 2,430 521...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the Citizenship Section of my Department on 16 February 2006. The first element of the assessment process involves determining if the applicant meets the statutory residency requirement set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. The Minister for Justice,...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the breakdown of domestic registered and foreign registered cars impounded for breaching road traffic regulations is set out in the following table: Year Domestic Registered Foreign Registered 2002 8,541 474 2003 9,385 445 2004 9,204 462 2005 11,947 718 2006 (15/05) 4,891 387

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (16 May 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 — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy can be assured that there is a major work programme in place to progress the renovation or replacement of specific Garda stations in order to bring them up to the highest standard. Last year, alone, the Office of Public Works spent €26 million on Garda Building projects such as Bantry, Ballyshannon, Roscrea, New Ross and Ballina Garda Stations as well as a major building...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the policy of direct provision. Direct Provision is the means by which the State discharges its obligations under international law and the Constitution to provide for the basis requirements of asylum seekers. For the most part, it represents a cashless system with the State assuming...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (16 May 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question applied for permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish born child prior to 1 January 2005, in accordance with the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. It is a requirement under the revised arrangements that each applicant is resident with their child on a continuous basis since the child's birth and that evidence of such...