Results 11,481-11,500 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 8 September 2003 and applied for asylum. She arrived with her daughter and her nephew. Her application was refused following consideration of her case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The visa section in my Department is committed to providing a high quality service to all our customers and is making every effort to process all visa applications in as timely a manner as possible. Visa processing times have reduced considerably in the past year and once the application is received in the visa section it currently takes less than two weeks to process. A dedicated study team...

Written Answers — Secret Service: Secret Service (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together. The Garda Síochána is the organisation responsible for providing national security services for the State. In this context, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána has established contacts, both multilateral and bilateral, with security services worldwide, touching on areas of mutual responsibility and interest....

Written Answers — Traffic Fines: Traffic Fines (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: Information on the amount of money accruing on foot of payments from fixed charge notices and court fines in connection with which penalty points were imposed is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources. All moneys received are surrendered to the Exchequer as extra Exchequer receipts and are accounted for in...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Manor Kilbride is included in the Baltinglass Garda district which forms part of the Carlow Kildare division. Current policing policy in the district of Baltinglass is predicated on the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime, particularly crimes of violence against persons and property; and the maintenance of an environment...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that since the commencement of the N7 Naas Road widening scheme in November 2004 there have been a total of 124 accidents reported on the N7, encompassing the road widening scheme. This figure includes one fatal accident which occurred on 29 January 2006. The area receives ongoing Garda attention in the context of road traffic law enforcement and traffic...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question was granted permission to engage in business in the State for an initial period of 12 months on 17 November 1999 as a self employed sculptor-artist. It appears that he renewed his registration with the Garda National Immigration Bureau until 16 November 2003 but did not attend for a further renewal of his residency in the State until 28 November 2005. At that time the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: A total of 21 extra gardaí will be appointed to the Donegal division in the next six weeks. Inishowen Peninsula forms part of the Buncrana Garda district. I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Buncrana Garda district as at 28 February 2006 was 78, all ranks. The first...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 448 to 452, inclusive, together. The national missing persons helpline was established in October 2002. Initial funding of €65,000,to include set-up costs, was provided by my Department to establish a dedicated national missing persons helpline, to be operated and administered by Victim Support. Further funding of €45,000 was provided to the helpline in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The implementation of the penalty points system is progressing satisfactorily. The fixed charge processing system, FCPS, was rolled out nationwide with effect from 2 February 2006 having been operating effectively in the DMR, parts of Louth and Meath and Cork city since January 2005. From 3 April the FCPS will handle an expanded range of fixed charge offences which attract penalty points, and...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The reception and integration agency, RIA, is in the process of closing accommodation centres nationwide due to excess capacity arising from the sharp decline in the numbers requiring accommodation. This decline is primarily as a result of an outflow of asylum seekers granted leave to remain under the Irish-born child scheme. The agency is also in the process of reclassifying centres to take...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department is fully committed to the employment of people with disabilities where possible. Our policy is to ensure that people with disabilities are facilitated with access to employment opportunities and every necessary accommodation is made in this regard. To help achieve this, my Department has a disability liaison officer whose role is to act as a point of contact both within and...

Written Answers — Driving Licences: Driving Licences (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities and I am informed that the situation regarding the application for a public service vehicle, PSV, licence by the person in question is as follows: An application from the person in question for a PSV licence was received on 15 November 2005. The matter concerning the road traffic conviction was investigated at an early stage and discounted....

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned lodged a residency application with my Department on the basis that they were the spouse of an EU national. A decision was issued to the most recent address on record, which differs from the one provided by the Deputy. The person concerned was requested to inform my Department, in writing, of any change of address while their application was being processed. There is no...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 458, 468 and 469 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that equipment to assist in police operations is kept under continual review. The question of purchasing a water cannon is in the first instance a matter for the Garda authorities. I have received no proposal to date from the Garda authorities to purchase water cannons. Should such a proposal be...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my reply to Question No. 310 of 9 November 2004, I provided the Deputy with a background to this case, outlining the reason why the visa application had been refused. No appeal against this decision was received by my office within the specified time. The applicant may of course lodge a new application at any time, which will be examined fully by my Department.

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area in question is covered by gardaí from Raheny Garda station and is the subject of a policing plan, involving high visibility foot and mobile patrols. These are augmented by patrols from the district detective unit, divisional crime task force and traffic unit. I understand that as part of the policing plan for the area concerned local...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Mar 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 of Finglas, Ballymun, Santry and Whitehall Garda stations as at 28 February, 2006 was as set out in the following table: Station Strength Finglas 76 Ballymun 61 Santry 120 Whitehall 34 The timescale for achieving the...

Written Answers — Commissions of Investigation: Commissions of Investigation (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department has forwarded a copy of the recent "Prime Time" programme to the forensic science laboratory for evaluation and will be in touch with the Stardust Victims Committee again as soon as a response is received. As the Deputy will be aware, a previous submission from the committee was evaluated by the forensic science laboratory and the Garda Síochana in 2004 but was found not to...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Mar 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strengths of Bray, Greystones and Newtownmountkennedy Garda stations as at 28 February 2006 were as follows: Station 28/02/06 Bray 88 Greystones 34 Newtownmountkennedy 2 Kilcoole is policed by Greystones Garda station. The areas of...