Results 12,181-12,200 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (26 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: Judicial review proceedings were instituted in this case on 13 January 2006 and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on the matter.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (26 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my response to the Deputy's question on 12 April 2005, I informed her that the average processing time for applications for naturalisation was 24 months and based on that, the application of the person concerned was likely to be finalised circa November 2005. As the Deputy will appreciate, the above timeframes are given as a guide only and it is not possible to be accurate as to when...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (26 Jan 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. Her application is currently being reviewed and I will notify the Deputy when the outcome of the review is known.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (26 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 1 July 2005 and claimed asylum on that date. His asylum claim was investigated by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. This position was conveyed to the person concerned by letter dated 9 August 2005. This communication also advised the...

Written Answers — Maternity Leave: Maternity Leave (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1056 and 1057 together. I refer the Deputies to my detailed answer on 14 December last to Question No. 288 regarding the increases in maternity and adoptive leave announced by the Minister for Finance in his financial statement of 7 December 2005. Draft orders providing for the increases were placed before both Houses on 18 January last and motions regarding...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: All visa required non-national residents in Ireland who wish to leave the State and re-enter later are required to obtain a re-entry visa under the terms of the Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2005. Although the Schengen area of the European Union does not have a re-entry visa requirement, it is my understanding that some of the new member states do impose such a requirement. There is no...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can advise the Deputy that the visa was approved on 20 January 2006.

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: In October 2004, the Government endorsed a joint proposal from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and from the Minister of State with responsibility for children to examine the scope for rationalising and restructuring the delivery of the State's services in the area of youth justice in accordance with the Children Act 2001. To this end, an internal project team was established...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question.

Written Answers — Re-interment of Volunteers: Re-interment of Volunteers (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I understand from the governor of Cork Prison that, in a previous attempt at re-interment, the body of the person in question could not be located in the grave. The authorities in Cork Prison facilitate visits to the grave for wreath laying by relatives and friends of veterans of the War of Independence and, more recently, by the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, ONE. The...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: With regard to the Internet, as a general rule, what is illegal off-line is illegal on-line. This could include illegal pornography, racist or hate materials, financial fraud, intimidation or any criminal activity carried out via the internet. In that context, for example, bullying, harassment or intimidation may constitute an offence of harassment in breach of section 10 of the Non-Fatal...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1064 to 1066, inclusive, and 1201 together. Strong provisions are already in place to combat anti-social and unlawful behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which modernised the law in this regard. Furthermore, because of my concerns about the abuse of alcohol and its...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: In considering changes to the immigration system in the context of the proposed Immigration and Residence Bill, the areas of family reunification and residence status for migrants are being considered fully. At present there is no system of "long-term resident" or "permanent resident" in the Irish immigration system. A person can after a period of time obtain permssion to remain "without...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: Correspondence relating to my reply to Question No. 489 of 8 November 2005 issued from my office on 11 January 2006.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: Statistics relating to penalty points are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics relating to detections for exceeding the temporary speed limit at the location mentioned are not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources, which could not be...

Written Answers — Ministerial Statements: Ministerial Statements (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1070 to 1073, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 368 of 6 December 2005 and my comprehensive statement to Dáil Éireann on 13 December 2005. I am satisfied that I have acted in this matter strictly in accordance with my responsibilities, duties and obligations as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: The refugee in question made an application for family reunification under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 in May 2005. A decision has recently been made on this application and the person in question has been informed of same.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1075, 1076, 1082, 1084, 1086, 1087, 1091, 1108, 1120, 1149 and 1156 together. Funding of €110,000 in respect of a national missing persons helpline made available by my Department in 2002 and 2003 was channelled through the Victim Support organisation and was in addition to the ongoing funding which that organisation received for the provision of services to...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: Responsibility for the National Child Care 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 of State with responsibility for children under Deputy Brian Lenihan. With regard to the application for capital grant assistance under the equal opportunities child care programme 2000-06, I...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Jan 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1078 and 1079 together. There is a comprehensive range of civil and criminal justice measures in place to tackle violence against women and the operation of the law in this area is kept under ongoing review. My Department chairs and provides the secretariat to the national steering committee on violence against women, NSC. The committee's remit is to provide a...