Results 12,661-12,680 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the private provider in question was not recommended for funding under the capital measure of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-06, EOCP. In this case it was considered that, as the project is located in close proximity to a child care project that has already received EOCP funding, there was a consequential potential for duplication and displacement...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together. It is not possible to quantify in advance the number of persons who might be appropriate to avail of a pre-trial pardon in this jurisdiction to deal with so-called "on-the-runs", although it is expected that numbers will be small. The proposal can be seen as a logical follow through of the early release provisions of the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the time, a full-scale investigation was immediately launched, which involved the arrest of persons in connection with the kidnapping, false imprisonment and subsequent murders. In 1998, a person was charged with false imprisonment and firearms offences. This person was subsequently successful in his application to the High Court to prohibit his...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the information sought by the Deputy was, as at 29 November 2005, as set out in the table. Corresponding figures sourced from the 2002 census of population are also included. Garda District Garda Strength Population Crumlin 157 59,513 Rathmines 170...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that two dog handlers from Cork and a further two dog handlers from Limerick have commenced training with a view to establishing a Garda dog unit in the southern region as a pilot initiative. I am further informed that an evaluation of this initiative will be carried out at the end of the pilot period and consideration will then be given to extending the...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have previously expressed my concerns regarding the lengthy suspension of certain members of the Garda Síochána. I am very concerned that lengthy court proceedings lie behind particular cases of lengthy suspension, and I am examining whether strict maximum time limits for suspension can be introduced in statutory regulations. In my reply to Question No. 28 of 20 October 2005, I mentioned...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It would appear that the Deputy is referring to claims of title to land based on adverse possession of the land. The position is that applications for title based on adverse possession of land are made to the Land Registry under section 49 of the Registration of Title Act 1964. In such cases, the applicant claims that the rights of the registered owner have been extinguished under the Statute...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. Statistical information available in the citizenship section of my Department has always been based on the number of applications received, certificates issued and applications refused. It is not possible, therefore, to provide details of the level of processing, where such processing has not yet resulted either in the issuance of a...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended, provides that a non-national may make a declaration of post-nuptial citizenship following three years' marriage to an Irish citizen, provided that the marriage is subsisting at the date of lodgement of the declaration, and the couple are living together as husband and wife and the spouse who is an Irish citizen submits...

Written Answers — Drugs Legislation: Drugs Legislation (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The scheduling of substances as controlled substances under misuse of drugs legislation is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children. I am informed by the Department of Health and Children that "magic mushrooms" contain as one of their natural constituents the drug psilocin and that the phosphate salt of psilocin, namely psilocybin, may also be present. I am further informed...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The community-based group in question was approved for a grant of €266,645 over three years, as a contribution towards the staffing costs of the project, in September 2002. The group was subsequently approved for a further grant of €194,100 towards staffing costs for a 27-month period to the end of December 2007. The funding currently allocated to the group is based on €225,000 over...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is currently in operation in the State a scheme of family reunification for migrant workers. However, a revision of this scheme is being considered and the issue of family reunification, in general, will be examined fully in the context of the development of the proposed Immigration and Residence Bill. With regard to arrangements for holders of the proposed "green card" announced by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to the report commissioned by my Department from UCC law department and entitled, Extending the scope of Employment Equality Legislation: Comparative Perspectives on the Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination. This report focused on the various grounds of discrimination used in other jurisdictions, and included the use of trade union membership, socioeconomic...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The community alert programme is a community based crime prevention initiative in rural communities similar to neighbourhood watch which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It is a national movement with its network comprising approximately 1,285 local community alert groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in rural communities...

Commissions of Investigation: Motion (Resumed). (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move amendment No. 1: That the second draft order be agreed to. When I moved the motion this morning, I subsequently indicated that I proposed to table a revised draft order by substituting in paragraph 3(a) the words "relating to and surrounding the making of a confession" for "relating to and arising from the making of a confession". I circulated the revised draft order to all Members in...

Commissions of Investigation: Motion (Resumed). (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Whatever was in the draft order before the House, several Deputies commented that it was open to me to provide more ample terms of reference. It was perhaps an undue element of overcaution on the part of Deputy Costello and myself in raising this issue. The terms of reference will be wholly adequate to deal with the surrounding circumstances including the arrest and detention and the decision...

Commissions of Investigation: Motion (Resumed). (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are circumstances in which the commission can conduct retrospective inquiries under the Garda Síochána Act. I have been trying to get the various inquiries up and running in a timely fashion. I am glad every Deputy has broadly welcomed the fact that a commission of investigation is being established in this matter. While I have been criticised for the time taken to establish the...

Commissions of Investigation: Motion (Resumed). (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: All the circumstances known to me at this stage suggest there was no misbehaviour of any kind by the Garda Síochána in the Wheelock case. I express my sympathy, as I have done on a number of occasions, to the family of Terence Wheelock on the untimely death of their son. As soon as he was found in a collapsed condition in his cell in Store Street Garda Station, all the requisite steps were...

Commissions of Investigation: Motion (Resumed). (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have received a preliminary report of the investigation and I have requested the Garda authorities to submit a full report to me on the outcome of their investigation when completed. When that report is received I will consider it. A completed investigation file will also be submitted by the Garda authorities to the law officers for consideration at that time.

Transfer of Execution of Sentences Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not propose to accept the amendment. The amendment would provide that the Minister could go back to the High Court to seek a variation of a warrant for the arrest of the person only "prior to the execution of the warrant". That would limit the discretion of the Minister in a way that could be injurious to the interests of the sentenced person and to the interests of justice. The Minister...