Results 10,661-10,680 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I listened carefully to the Dáil debate on the issue. At the beginning, there were delay mechanisms to the introduction of the reserve force. The overwhelming consensus of this House — the only exception to which was the view of the Sinn Féin Deputies — was that I should go ahead and recruit the reserve now. The joint committee sent a delegation to view how reservists work in the UK and...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: No, I did not give any undertaking, but yes, I gave a prediction that it would not happen.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I received a submission from the Commissioner with his proposals on the functioning of the reserve. That sets out in extenso his view of the powers that the reserve force should have. It is not his function to determine these matters, but rather a question for the Government to make an order. I intend to consult with the joint committee on these issues before we arrive at a final position. I...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: He came up with 5,000. I have him on record in expansive humour. It does not matter. If the size of the reserve relative to the full-time force is a matter of concern to the force, I am willing to discuss that issue. I wish to arrive at a consensus with the Garda representative organisations. If they have a major problem with that issue, then I am willing to discuss the limit of the reserve...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is the target.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It remains the target for September. Training must be carried out and I cannot suddenly click my fingers and establish training courses all over Ireland. These things must be done gradually and must be done to a high standard.

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: If I thought that was the case, I would say so. As far as I am concerned, 900 recruits is an achievable target for this year. How far we go beyond that target is a matter on which I am genuinely willing to consult. The two representative associations which have thus far expressed opposition in principle to the idea have not been willing to discuss any other figure. I have indicated to them...

Garda Reserve. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The training must be part of the regulations establishing the reserve. I am definitely willing to discuss the issue with anybody who wishes to do so and I will discuss it with the joint committee.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In recent years, considerable work has been undertaken in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, as well as within the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, to deal with applications for asylum and to speed up processing times. The work involved has resulted in a situation where processing has continued to move strongly in both agencies....

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Approximately one fifth of deportation orders are actually executed. Over 60% of orders issued are deemed evaded, in that the persons concerned fail to report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau as requested in the notification letter sent to them. The legal effect of this is that the persons concerned can be arrested and detained pending their removal for failing to comply with the...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The great majority of people classified as children are 16 and 17 years old when they arrive here.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: We are not dealing with people in short pants or infants.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my experience, they have travelled here after having arrangements made for them by people traffickers. In general terms, they are of reasonably robust disposition, have travelled long distances to come to Ireland alone and secured passage here by paying substantial sums of money to traffickers. I would not be overly romantic about the fact that 16 and 17 year olds claim asylum here. In my...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In many cases they are roughly comparable. However, because they are deemed in Ireland to be minors, they are dealt with differently in that they are taken under the aegis of the HSE. They are clothed and given a different level of accommodation to legally adult asylum seekers, who are accommodated in hostels operated by the RIA. Under 18s are educated and well provided for in general terms....

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that there have been massive problems or any cronyism. The RAT is a fine group of men and women who have done the State some considerable service. There have been newspaper reports about their earnings, which are on a per-case basis. They have undertaken a massive backlog of appeals, which I mentioned earlier, and have virtually eliminated it. We are dealing with people on a...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am disposed in the context of the immigration and naturalisation legislation that is coming forward, to consider making changes but this is not because the system has operated unsatisfactorily or unfairly. I reiterate that the UN High Commissioner, who has had constant access to both levels of the tribunal, said that Ireland's system was one of the best in Europe. No complaint has been made.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has been suggested that every decision should be published. There are international obligations to keep the facts and the identity of the applicant in each case private. We received this advice from the UN. The Dutch considered making them public. If the facts could be made anonymous in every case——

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: This would take a great deal of time because one would have to deal with countries and their areas and political movements. If it were possible I would welcome the Irish public's seeing the stories that are put forward and rejected at both levels, unbelievable stories of human sacrifice and selection for cults. I see the files because the humanitarian leave to remain files for unsuccessful...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: They do not.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: They do not see them.