Results 13,141-13,160 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Data provided by the Garda authorities in respect of the amount of cocaine and heroin seized in the years 2003, 2004 and to date in the Dublin metropolitan east division are summarised in the following tabular statement. Year 2003 2004* To date 2005* Cocaine 2,135 grms 2,384 grms 1,175 grms Heroin 660 grms 2,249 grms 148 grms * The 2004 and 2005 figures are operational or...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The provisions of Section 17 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended, came into effect on 20 November 2000, the date on which the two independent refugee determination bodies, the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, were established on a statutory basis. Therefore, statistics relating to decisions made pursuant to that section of the Act are provided as and from...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: In determining whether to make a deportation order or grant temporary leave to remain in the State, I must have regard to the 11 factors set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 (Prohibition of Refoulement) of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. The figures in the following table refer to persons who received notification of intention to deport under...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The following table provides a general outline of training provided in Ireland to staff of my Department and associated asylum agencies by the UNHCR since January 2003. UNHCR Training to Irish Officials* 2003-2005 (November). Date of Training Topic Profile of participants No. of Participants 2005 7-8 Jan 2005 General Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Training...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the response made on my behalf to a motion on the Dáil Adjournment debate on this issue on 5 May 2005. My position remains the same and is reiterated here. I ask the Deputy to consider what the consequences of a policy not to deport the parents of school-age children would be. In effect, no person in any form of State education and, by implication, none of their other...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the opening hours of the Garda station at Clane, County Kildare, are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday. I am also informed that local Garda management does not intend to extend the opening hours of Clane Garda station at...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 30 April 2002. I considered his application under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended and decided not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. This decision, along with a copy of the submission...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department in February 2003. I considered his application under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and I decided not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. This decision, along with the reasons for same, was...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries of the Garda authorities and the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Homicide victims by age and gender 2004* Age Murder Manslaughter Male Female Male Female 0-10 yrs 0 0 0 0 11-20 yrs 4 0 0 0 21-30 yrs 11 2 2 0 31-40 yrs 10 1 2 2 41-50 yrs 6 1 0 0 51-60 yrs 0 1 2 0 61-70 yrs 0 1 0...

Written Answers — Gambling Casinos: Gambling Casinos (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda that it is not aware of any gambling casino having recently opened on Grafton Street, Dublin 2. However, itis aware of a private club off Grafton Street that provides casino-type facilities to members of the club. This private club was recently visited by a senior Garda officer and no irregularities were detected that would justify a prosecution under the...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda that the equipment referred to by the Deputy was installed in Wexford town Garda station on 16 October 2002.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Nigerian national, and her infant daughter arrived in the State on 31 January 2005 and applied for asylum. Her claim was refused by the Refugee Applications Commissioner and she was informed of that recommendation, which included her dependants, on 18 February 2005. The person concerned appealed this recommendation and her appeal was heard on 21 April 2005 by the...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Government has accepted in principle the recommendations in the Ferns report and has given a commitment to their implementation by all relevant Departments and agencies. The Ferns inquiry has identified a gap in the criminal law regarding failure to act to alleviate the risk of injury or sexual abuse of a child. The report recommends that consideration should be given to the introduction...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: For several years now Ireland has been operating one of the most liberal economic migration systems in Europe with large numbers entering the State legally for employment purposes. In addition, we are one of the few states in Europe to have granted full access to our labour market on enlargement of the EU to citizens of the new member states. Currently, there are more than 130,000...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that applications for naturalisation have been received in December 2004 and May 2005 from two persons, both Ecuadorian nationals, with the surname detailed by the Deputy. It appears from the information contained in their applications that they are not related and I am unable to confirm which is the subject of the...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 53 on 20 October 2005 on this matter.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: 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 underlying the urgency.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I take it the Deputy refers to the proposed judicial council Bill, under which it is proposed that a judicial council will be extablished which will have among its responsibilities the establishment of a code of judicial ethics and the investigation of allegations of breaches of ethics. The preparation of the scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I am engaged in a number of necessary...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications of the type referred to by the Deputy are dealt with in chronological order, in fairness to all such applicants, and currently take approximately 16 to 18 months to process. It has always been the case that the non-nationals concerned could not enter employment pending the outcome of the application for residency, unless they have a valid work permit. I do not envisage any change...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information sought in Parliamentary Question No. 596 of 28 June 2005 was not available at that time. I have since been informed by the Garda authorities that as a result of an incident at Bunratty Castle Hotel on 3 August 1993, criminal allegations were made against two off-duty gardaí. The two members in question subsequently received District Court convictions for assault and being...