Results 12,081-12,100 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my answer to his Dáil question of Wednesday, 1 February 2006 in respect of this case. My position is as outlined therein.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The residency status of the person in question is that she was originally granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish-born child on 30 September 2002. I understand from records available to my Department that she currently has residency status in the State up to 20 September 2007.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is absurd to state that there has been a dramatic increase in headline crime for 2005 when the level of headline crime for 2005 is 4.4% lower than the level for 2002. I did not hear the Deputy opposite state that there was a dramatic fall in headline crime when there was a decrease of 3% recorded for 2003 compared to 2002 and a further decrease in headline crime of 4% recorded for 2004...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is absurd to state that there has been a dramatic increase in headline crime for 2005 when the level of headline crime for 2005 is 4.4% lower than the level for 2002. I did not hear the Deputy state that there was a dramatic fall in headline crime when there was a decrease of 3% recorded for 2003 compared to 2002 and a further decrease in headline crime of 4% recorded for 2004 compared to...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 183 together. On 31 December 1997 the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána stood at 10,968. Under this Government's first term in office, the strength of the force was increased steadily and when I took up office as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in June 2002, the strength of the Garda Síochána stood at 11,748. After June 2002,...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is absurd to state that there has been a dramatic increase in headline crime for 2005 when the level of headline crime for 2005 is 4.4% lower than the level for 2002. I did not hear the Deputies opposite state that there was a dramatic fall in headline crime when there was a decrease of 3% recorded for 2003 compared to 2002 and a further decrease in headline crime of 4% recorded for 2004...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Irish organised criminal groupings can be divided into two general categories. The first category consists of individuals or groups that are well-established and tightly structured and are involved in drug trafficking, armed robbery and firearms offences. The second category involves groups whose activities are characterised by less cohesive group...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 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 the Garda Síochána as at 31 January 2006 was 12,228, all ranks. The personnel strength of the Carlow and Kildare division as at 31 December 1997 was 281, all ranks, and as at 31...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State on 20 December 1999 and claimed asylum. He withdrew this application on 28 January 2001 and applied for permission to remain based solely on his parentage of an Irish-born child. He was granted residency in the State on this basis on 9 January 2002. On 18 July 2003 the Government announced its policy on leave to remain for parents of Irish-born...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Feb 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 12 December 2005. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation for standard adults is approximately 24 months at present. However, I understand that the person concerned is a refugee. In accordance with the Government's...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I informed the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 149 on 26 January that the person concerned arrived in the State on 14 October 2005 and is the subject of a transfer order under the Dublin II regulations, Council Regulation (EC) No. 343/2003. Her transfer to Belgium, where she sought asylum in April 2005, is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 18 December 2000 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his 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, he was informed by a letter dated 26 November 2002 that the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The persons concerned arrived in the State on 4 May 2004 and applied for asylum. Their application was refused following consideration of their 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, they were informed by letters dated 17 January 2006 and 30...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the fixed charge processing system, currently processing the offences of speeding and non-wearing of seatbelts, is operational nationwide from today. The system was introduced on a pilot basis in Kells, Dundalk, Dunleer, Blanchardstown, Terenure and Dublin Castle on 30 June 2004. It was extended to the entire Dublin metropolitan region in November 2004...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (2 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that, while my Department has incurred expenditure in the area of public awareness associated with important issues of public policy under its aegis, I have not engaged any public relations firms or media advisers to provide me with such advice in a personal capacity since my appointment in June 2002. I understand that Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, applied part of...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The Garda central vetting unit, GCVU, was established in 2002 and, in the education sector, currently processes vetting requests in respect of bus escorts, special needs assistants and staff for children in detention schools. In the time available, it has not been possible to compile information on the number of persons so vetted since 2002 in the education sector. Last year, an inter-agency...

Written Answers — National Security: National Security (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 294 together. The Garda Síochána is the organisation responsible for providing policing and 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 police and security services worldwide, touching on areas of mutual...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: The murder of the person in question has been the subject of correspondence by and on behalf of the family of the deceased, to which I have given full consideration. In response to concerns expressed on the matter, the Garda Commissioner established a review team to conduct a thorough and concise investigation into all matters of concern, which involved the taking of more than 150 statements...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 has been assigned to the Department of Health and Children as part of the establishment of the new Office of the Minister for Children, under the Minister with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. With regard to the approval of capital grant assistance of €50,790 to the private...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve Force: Garda Reserve Force (1 Feb 2006)

Michael McDowell: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1148 on Wednesday, 25 January 2006.