Results 11,761-11,780 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: This application has only recently, on 10 February 2006, been received by my Department's visa section and is pending assessment.

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 521 on Tuesday, 14 February 2006.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (15 Feb 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 contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 1098 and 1150 on 25 January 2006. The position remains that any further submission which the Stardust victims committee or its representatives wishes to make on this matter will be carefully examined. To date no such submission has been received.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will be aware that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children recently obtained Government approval for the banning of magic mushrooms in their raw state under misuse of drugs legislation. Control exemptions are a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, and I understand that the Minister has made an exemption order to provide for...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: This matter was discussed with the Garda Representative Association on several occasions before the Garda Síochána Act 2005 became law. I do not consider it appropriate that the specific measures in that Act relating to the establishment of the Ombudsman Commission, which were designed right from the beginning to instill public confidence in a new system for dealing with complaints by...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (15 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings is currently under consideration by my Department. Legislation which will criminalise trafficking in human beings for the purpose of their sexual and labour exploitation as provided for in the EU framework decision on combating trafficking in persons is at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. This...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that compilation of the information requested by the Deputy would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources and could not be justified in the circumstances.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: In December 1999, when the direct provision system was first introduced, the rates paid to the providers of this full board accommodation ranged from €10,400 per person per annum to €17,888 per person per annum. Since then the reception and integration agency of my Department has negotiated significant reductions in the rates paid. Currently, payments in the commercial sector for direct...

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 529 together. Last year the Office of Public Works entered into a new licence agreement with telecommunications operators for the utilisation of the State property portfolio, including Garda masts. There is no direct benefit accruing to the Garda Síochána in the agreement apart from the replacement of masts and ancillary equipment as provided for...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: There were 33 material damage, eight non-serious injury, three serious injury and no fatal traffic collisions on the Stillorgan Road in the year 2004. During the same period on the Stillorgan Road, 71 speed operations were conducted. The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the cost of providing, and revenue arising from, the speed checks is not readily available. The amount of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Personnel allocated to the Garda traffic corps are selected from existing available resources in each division. Newly appointed gardaí are not allocated to traffic corps duties following completion of the initial training period. The divisional breakdown of the traffic corps at 31 January 2006 is as follows: Garda Traffic Corps at 31 January, 2006 Division Number Dublin Metropolitan...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Article 40.6.1(i) of the Constitution provides for the offence of blasphemy. In addition, section 13 of the Defamation Act 1961 provides penalties for the offence. However, as noted by the Supreme Court in the case of Corway v. Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited [1999] 4IR 484, no definition of the offence of blasphemy exists in Irish law. The position on this constitutional offence has...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Local Garda management is aware of recent complaints regarding strangers in cars approaching children in the estate in question and the surrounding area. The Garda has put in place an investigation team to investigate these matters fully and extensive enquires are being carried out in the area concerned, including interviewing all known witnesses. All local gardaí have been fully briefed...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question have been assessed by my officers in New Delhi. In assessing applications of this type, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (14 Feb 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. His application is being reviewed and I will notify the Deputy when the outcome of the review is known.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: A declaration of acceptance of Irish citizenship as post-nuptial citizenship was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 8 March 2005 from the person referred to in the Deputy's question. Processing of the declaration has commenced and it is likely that the case will be finalised within the next couple of months. I will advise both the Deputy and the person concerned when the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, there are no general service posts at Secretary General level or assistant secretary level within my Department, which are due to decentralise. There are, however, four posts at assistant secretary level or higher within the justice and equality sector which, along with the four offices...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Romanian national, arrived in the State on 22 June 1998 and applied for asylum. His application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner on 29 February 2000. His subsequent appeal was refused by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and he was notified of this recommendation by letter on 27 September 2000. In accordance with section 3 of...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (14 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that all applications for Garda CCTV town centre systems must be prepared in co-operation with the local Garda district and divisional officers and must receive their full support. The application is then considered by the CCTV advisory committee which makes a recommendation, through the Garda Commissioner, to me. Applications are assessed by the...