Results 13,041-13,060 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 488, 489 and 491 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that several incidents involving the persons referred to by the Deputy have been fully investigated by the Garda Síochána and are before the courts at present. Attention is being given to the persons concerned in the form of regular patrols in the area concerned. I am assured that any...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána has received no specific complaints regarding drug dealing in the park referred to by the Deputy. I am further informed, however, that a series of measures to proactively combat the supply and use of drugs in the general area is in place. These measures include continuous liaison with the local county council parks department,...

Written Answers — Garda Remuneration: Garda Remuneration (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The annual overtime bill for the Garda Síochána for 2005 is not running at anything like €170 million. The budgetary position is that €61.5 million was provided for Garda overtime in 2005. The Deputy will be aware that, in October 2004, the Government approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Garda inspector from Rathmines Garda station has acted as a liaison officer between the Garda and the company operating the Luas since it commenced operations. I am further informed that there have been no reported incidents of public disorder in respect of the Luas on Cowper Road since it commenced operations. Local Garda management has not...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (15 Nov 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.

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 496 together. Entry to the Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988, as amended. The Deputy may be aware that prior to the current Garda Síochána recruitment competition which was launched in September 2005, I made a number of highly significant changes to the entry criteria with a view to...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Due to constraints on my schedule, I regret that I am not in a position to meet the delegation referred to by the Deputy. I have instructed officials from my Department to make themselves available to meet the delegation to discuss their concerns and report to me. I understand that the association in question has been informed accordingly.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 498 and 499 together. I understand the Deputy is referring to anti-social and unlawful behaviour on the part of gangs of youths wearing hoods for the purpose of making their identification by the Garda Síochána difficult. I share the Deputy's concern about this type of behaviour and would draw his attention to the response of my colleague, the Minister of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Recognition: Citizenship Recognition (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Due to the non-specific nature of the Deputy's question, it is not possible to identify whether, in fact, the question is a matter for my Department. If the Deputy wishes to contact my departmental office with further details, I will ensure that those details are passed to the relevant section of my Department for a response.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that permission to remain in the State has been granted to both of the persons in question.

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the declaration of professional values and ethical standards is issued to each member of the Garda Síochána. There is no obligation on members of the Garda Síochána to return a signed declaration of personal commitment, which formed part of the declaration of professional values and ethical standards. I have made provision in the Garda...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Since the Luas became operational in June 2004, I have used it on a number of occasions to travel to work.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In light of the nationwide remit of the key services provided under my Department's aegis, it is not feasible to extract elements directly attributable to the national spatial strategy. In planning for the provision of these services, however, regard is had for regional development needs including those emerging from the implementation of the strategy.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned submitted an application 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. The application is being processed at present and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In the absence of the appropriate visa application reference number, it has not been possible to identify any record of a visa application from the person named in the details supplied by the Deputy. If such an application exists, the Deputy may wish to contact my Department through the standard channels, with the reference number, at which time my officials will ascertain the status of the...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The circumstances surrounding the incident on 18 March 2005 are presently the subject of legal action. Pending determination of this action, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to provide a more detailed response. The letter required to enable this individual to process his medical insurance will issue from the Irish Prison Service immediately.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: General policy in respect of the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. Guidelines for monitoring the employment of people with disabilities by public bodies are set out in the 1994 code of practice for the Civil Service. The term, "people with disabilities" means, for the purposes of the code, people...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The following information material and funding is provided by the asylum agencies under my Department to inform refugees and asylum seekers of their rights and entitlements. The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, provides asylum applicants with a comprehensive information leaflet which explains how the asylum process in Ireland operates. The leaflet is currently available...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in November 2004. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and currently take sixteen to eighteen months to process. It should be noted that marriage to an Irish national does not confer an automatic right of residence in the State.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Explosives Act 1875, which provides for the control of the importation, manufacture, storage and sale of explosives, is being reviewed by my Department with a view to consolidating and updating the law and policy in this area. As part of this ongoing review, it has become apparent that the fines and penalties provided for under the 1875 Act are inadequate and there is an urgent need to...