Results 13,001-13,020 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities about the number of serious assaults in the year to date in 2005 compared to the same period last year. The attached table gives details of the number of assault causing harm offences recorded from 1 January 2004 to 31 October 2004 and 1 January 2005 to 31 October 2005. Figures provided for 2004 and 2005 are provisional operational statistics...

Written Answers — International Policing Agreements: International Policing Agreements (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that I will shortly be establishing the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, and I expect that the commission will address the issue of how best to progress co-operation with the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland and, indeed, their counterparts in other jurisdictions.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that investigations into the incident in question are ongoing. I understand that three of the Latvian workers along with the owner of the boat in question have been interviewed by the Garda authorities so far. I am further informed that when the Garda investigations are complete a file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: None of the capital projects under my Department's aegis for the years referred to comes within the scope of the Deputy's question.

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Keep taking the tablets, Trevor.

Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: That side of the House does not like competition.

Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Where was the ice-pick left?

Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The red tide.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: By its very nature, the Internet lends itself to being used for a wide range of criminal activities. These can include illegal pornography, racist or hate materials, financial fraud, intimidation or any other criminal activity carried out via the Internet. Combatting such illegal, harmful and predatory use of the Internet requires a response at national, EU and international levels. The...

Written Answers — Family Carers: Family Carers (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 360 together. The Equality Authority appointed an advisory committee in March, 2004 to consider equality issues for family carers. The committee members represent carers' organisations, Departments with specific responsibilities in the area, NGOs, relevant State bodies and the social partners. The work of the committee has involved providing an...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 376 together. The question of the Irish Human Rights Commission being made accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas was one of a number of recommendations made by the commission in its report on effectiveness submitted to the Government under section 24 of the Human Rights Commission Acts 2000 and 2001. The Commission also referred to the matter in...

Written Answers — Departmental Inquiries: Departmental Inquiries (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Following a Government decision on 8 November, in accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 and as the specified Minister in respect of this commission, I am arranging for the laying before the Dáil and Seanad of a draft of the proposed Government order establishing the commission seeking the approval of the two Houses. Following their approval, the...

Written Answers — Prison Work Schemes: Prison Work Schemes (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Women prisoners in the Dochas Centre are not currently involved in any arrangements with the company referred to in the Deputy's question. I understand that a limited number of women prisoners were voluntarily involved in some assembly activity in connection with the company concerned in the past but that this arrangement ceased some time ago. There is a very limited provision, through...

Written Answers — Disability Support Services: Disability Support Services (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Comhairle in the first instance, and for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Question No. 515 of Tuesday, 8 November 2005, and Questions Nos. 176 to 179 of Thursday, 10 November 2005, in which I clearly stated the reason for refusal for this particular applicant. It is important to state at the outset that marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to enter or reside in the State solely on that basis. A...

Written Answers — Victim Support: Victim Support (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Funding for services providing victim support is provided through the commission for the support of victims of crime which I established in March 2005 following a review of existing provision for crime victims. The commission's term of office is for three years and its members are: Mr. Jim McHugh, retired assistant commissioner, the Garda Síochána, who is the chairman; Ms Nora Owen, former...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The private provider in question was approved capital grant assistance of €50,790 under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000 — 2006, in September 2005. The private provider has been advised of the decision by the child care directorate of my Department. I understand from inquiries I have made with Area Development Management Ltd., which is engaged to administer the EOCP...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. Applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. A final...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the Government legislation programme published on 27 September last makes provision for publication of a Bill to codify the licensing laws in mid-2006. It will repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2004, as well as the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2004, and replace them with updated provisions more suited to modern conditions. The reform proposals contained in this Bill...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (16 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned submitted an application in March 2005 to remain in the State on the basis of being the parent of an Irish born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005 for the processing of applications for permission to remain in the State from the non-national parents of Irish born children born before 1 January 2005. Their application is being processed...