Results 12,681-12,700 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Commissions of Investigation: Motion. (1 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Members for their contributions to this relatively short debate and for their constructive and warm remarks on the proposal before the House. This case poses serious issues. As a number of the Senators said, we must learn from this. While listening to Senator Minihan I was reminded of a thought I had in yesterday's Dáil debate, which is that while such cases may be embarrassing...

Seanad: Commissions of Investigation: Motion. (1 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: The matter before this House today deals essentially with technical and procedural issues which are a necessary prerequisite for the establishment of a commission of investigation. Beneath this procedural veneer lies a tragic case to which I must refer at the outset. Most, if not all, Senators will be aware of the fact that two innocent women, Ms Sylvia Shiels, then aged 59 and Ms Mary...

Seanad: Commissions of Investigation: Motion. (1 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: Yes.

Seanad: Commissions of Investigation: Motion. (1 Dec 2005)

Michael McDowell: He would not be excluded.

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

Michael McDowell: A number of years ago my Department introduced a scheme whereby the requirement to hold a valid visa prior to entering the State was waived for certain persons travelling from Belarus with the Chernobyl Children's Organisation for the purposes of visiting Ireland for a period of rest, recuperation or both. At the time, the groups involved were limited in number and were well known to my...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (30 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 233, 249 and 250 together. The reception and integration agency, RIA, is charged with providing accommodation to asylum seekers under the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Decisions regarding the opening, reclassification or closing of centres are made in the context of the overall demand for accommodation and the need to achieve value...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, there are plans to build a new Garda divisional headquarters station in Tallaght on part of the site of the existing Garda station. I understand from the Garda authorities that the details of their accommodation requirements are being finalised and I expect to have sight of them shortly.

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that none of the vehicles in the Garda fleet are fitted with automatic vehicle recognition systems. I am further informed that the use of such systems is currently being examined by the Garda authorities.

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...