Results 12,521-12,540 of 18,730 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries with the Remembrance Commission and I have been informed that, within the terms of the scheme of remembrance, acknowledgement and assistance for victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland, there is no restriction on the amount that may be claimed for current, ongoing and unmet medical expenses pertaining to injuries received as a result of the conflict. The only...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The detailed allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I sought the views of the Commissioner regarding the matter raised and I will communicate further with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy opposed the plans a few moments ago. We put in place the equal opportunities child care programme.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Never.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Bruton has emptied the press gallery.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Let the Labour Party have a go.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is because we are richer.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Down from 36%.

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Why did Fine Gael not introduce a minimum wage in Government and make it tax-free?

Budget Statement 2005. (7 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy has not even read it.

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no record of a Garda vetting application in the name of this person at the central vetting unit. Applications for Garda vetting are submitted from the human resources departments of the agencies currently listed for vetting purposes, which is currently being reviewed by the working group to review Garda vetting. In the absence of such a...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The directive referred to by the Deputy is, I understand, at present in the form of a draft that the European Disability Forum proposes to present formally to the EU institutions. Given the status of the document at present, the question of official consideration by member states has not yet arisen.

Written Answers — Secret Service: Secret Service (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is no secret service structure in this jurisdiction. The secret service Vote, which allocates moneys to a number of Departments, is administered by the Department of Finance.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform I have no responsibility with regard to the movement and staffing of Brothers of Charity. These are matters for that organisation. With regard to the other matters raised, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were seven complaints in total alleging abuse against members of the Brothers of Charity at Kilcornan, Clarenbridge, County...

Written Answers — Earnings Inequality: Earnings Inequality (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy's question is prompted by the recent publication of research commissioned by my Department and completed by the Economic and Social Research Institute on earnings inequality and the wage gap between young male and female graduates. This research builds upon work undertaken in the context of the social partnership agreements by a consultative group on male-female wage...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation were received from the persons referred to by the Deputy in the citizenship section of my Department on 19 October 2004 and 29 April 2005 respectively. Both are children of a naturalised Irish citizen. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation is approximately 24 months at the present time. The first person, who is an...

Written Answers — Traveller Community: Traveller Community (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am not aware of any particular difficulties experienced by members of the Traveller community in accessing services directly delivered by my Department. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, Travellers enjoy the same civil and political rights as any other citizen. The Government is committed to challenging discrimination against Travellers and has defined membership of the Traveller community...

Written Answers — Centre for Public Inquiry: Centre for Public Inquiry (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I take it that the Deputy has tabled the question to me in the light of concerns which I have expressed about the position of Mr. Frank Connolly, the executive director of the Centre for Public Inquiry — Fiosrú An Phobail. According to its website, the Centre for Public Inquiry was established in February 2005. The Centre for Public Inquiry is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, which has...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: There have been three Garda investigations into the death of the person concerned. Such investigations are undertaken as part of normal duties and, therefore, the costs incurred in each investigation were accounted for in the normal manner under the relevant subheads of the Votes concerned. It would not be possible to retrospectively extract the cost of each investigation without the...

Written Answers — Land Registry: Land Registry (6 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the Land Registry to contact him directly concerning the current position of the application in question. I understand that, in circumstances where the completion of an application in a particular case is urgent, the Land Registry will make every reasonable effort to facilitate such requests on receipt of a written explanation as to the reason...