Results 11,861-11,880 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As explained in my reply to Question No. 1188 on Wednesday, 25 January 2006, the circumstances of each case is individually considered with regard to section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 — prohibition of refoulement before the making of a deportation order. The circumstances of the case referred to by the Deputy were fully examined and were found not to be such as to prevent the safe return of...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: An application in respect of the person named by the Deputy was made in 2003, reference number 1258257. This visa application was refused on 1 October 2003 and the applicant's mother was notified of this decision by letter the following day. There is no record of any recent application in respect of this person. It is open to the applicant to lodge a new application at this time and it will...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 149 on 26 January 2006 in which I explained in detail why this person is to be transferred to Belgium pursuant to the terms of the Dublin II Regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No 343/2003. The person concerned presented to the Garda national immigration bureau on Monday 23 January 2006, as previously requested, and was given a representation...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have reversed the unacceptable trend of spiralling overtime costs which has been a feature of our prisons operations for many years. As a result of my determination to tackle this unsustainable dependence on overtime to run our prisons there was a reduction in the overtime bill of some €13.4 million in 2004 compared to 2003. Attendance over and above the standard working week is a common...

Written Answers — Civil Service Travel Scheme: Civil Service Travel Scheme (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: My Department's travel pass scheme operates in accordance with the scheme centrally approved for the civil service. The scheme operates on a calendar year basis from January to December. Details of the scheme are usually circulated in mid-October with a closing date for receipt of applications by early November. This is to allow sufficient time for the necessary paperwork to be processed...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of all ranks of the Wexford district as at 8 February 2006 was 90. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the first incremental increase of newly attested...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Law Offences: Liquor Licensing Law Offences (9 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I regret it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Maternity Leave Entitlements: Maternity Leave Entitlements (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Advice on the law is not a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I can say that policy in the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004 is that an employee is entitled to additional unpaid maternity leave commencing immediately after the end of her maternity leave. The entitlement will increase from eight weeks to 12 weeks with effect from 1 March 2006 and to 16...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The application referred to by the Deputy was received in my Department's visa section on 27 January 2006, and is pending assessment. Applications are dealt with in date order and a decision on this case will be made in the near future.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 303, 306, 307, 311 and 320 together. I refer the Deputies to the reply I gave to Questions Nos. 459 and 469 on Tuesday, 7 February 2006 in which I outlined the position. The enforcement of the deportation order is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that applicants for naturalisation, other than spouses of Irish citizens, must have been resident in the State for five years of the nine year period prior to the date of application. Residence in this context means residence for which the applicant had the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Approximately 72% of prisoners in custody now have 24-hour access to in-cell sanitation thanks to substantial investment in the prison estate since 1997. I plan to eliminate the practice of slopping out completely. This will require the replacement of Mountjoy and Cork prisons. I look forward to the support of the Deputy and his party colleagues in achieving this objective. The purchase of...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, the information requested in November 2005 in regard to Garda resources in the Ardee and mid-Louth area was not readily available in the detail sought at the time. The information requested has now been compiled by the Garda authorities and has been sent to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State as a member of the crew of a ship which docked in Waterford port on 17 February 2004. He failed to return to the ship prior to its departure and subsequently made an application for asylum at Waterford Garda station on 4 March 2004. This application for asylum was withdrawn on 30 September 2004 in favour of an application for permission to remain in...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the use of members of the Garda Síochána as prosecutors in the case of drink driving convictions in all Garda divisions other than the Dublin metropolitan region has benefits for the operation and management of prosecutions. Members of the Garda Síochána who have to present the prosecution case in open court and who have to face the rigour of...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, I launched the community based CCTV scheme last year in response to a demonstrated demand from local communities across Ireland for the provision of CCTV systems. The purpose of the scheme is to support local communities who wish to install and maintain CCTV security systems in their area, with the aim of increasing public safety and reducing the risk of...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the allocation of Garda personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and other operational policing needs of each division. All habitable Garda accommodation is advertised throughout the service and in accordance with the...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his parliamentary question on 22 November 2005 on this matter. The position remains that my Department awaits a warrant authorising both the transfer into the country and the continued detention of the prisoner in this jurisdiction. My Department has requested that this application for a warrant be given high priority by the State's legal officers. On receipt...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that vehicles seized under the provisions of section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 are restored where the person provides proof of ownership and has paid the relevant charge. Production of a valid driving licence, certificate of insurance and tax may also be required unless the vehicle is not being used in a public place or is being towed from the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (8 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: Correspondence relating to my reply to Question No. 402 of 6 December 2005 issued to him from my office on 6 February 2006 covered the periods 1 January to 31 December 2004, inclusive, and 1 January to 31 October 2005, inclusive. The information detailed in the following table shows the number of burglaries recorded and detected for the periods 1 January to 31 December 2004, inclusive, and 1...