Results 13,141-13,160 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Miscarriages of Justice: Miscarriages of Justice (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was a witness during the first module of the Morris tribunal in regard to hoax explosive finds. The person fully co-operated with the tribunal and was granted an order for full costs. The person currently also has a civil action against the State in regard to alleged wrongful arrest, and I am, therefore, constrained in what I can say at this stage. Certainly the issues...

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

Michael McDowell: I have received representations regarding this matter and I have corresponded directly with the family. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí investigated this fatal road traffic accident and the investigation file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. On 4 October 2001, the DPP directed that no prosecution take place in this case. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Publication of Reports: Publication of Reports (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the reference made at paragraph 4 of page 147 of the Ferns Report to an individual, who was a Knight of Columbanus, being approached by an unnamed member of the Garda Síochána, who was also a Knight of Columbanus, in connection with allegations made against a particular priest. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no prohibition on members of the Garda...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Payments made to firms involved in the development of the fixed charge processing system from 2002 to 2004 are set out in the following table. 2002 2003 2004 â'¬2,019,343.59 â'¬7,717,222.14 â'¬3,831,897.98 These costs include the full development of the system, including analysis, design, software development, hardware and testing. The original tender...

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

Michael McDowell: The information sought by the Deputy is still being collated. I will be in contact as soon as the information requested becomes available.

Written Answers — Traffic Fines: Traffic Fines (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am in contact with the Garda authorities concerning the matter raised and I will be in touch with the Deputy when the matter has been clarified.

Written Answers — Taxi Licences: Taxi Licences (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have made inquiries with the Garda authorities in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. I have been informed that the position in relation to the person named in the question is as follows. For the authorised officer on behalf of the Garda Commissioner to issue a PSV driver's licence, there is an obligation on the applicant to display a thorough knowledge of the taximeter area and...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The costs of providing services through Irish are met from my Department's administrative budget and cannot be readily distinguished from the cost of providing services generally. Accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy could not be compiled without the application of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.

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

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy in relation to this matter when it becomes available.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (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 personnel strength of the Carlow-Kildare division as at 1 November 2005 was 332 — all ranks. The personnel strength of the Carlow-Kildare division as at 31 December 1997 was 292 — all ranks. This represents an increase of 40 or 13% in the number of...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 1067 of 28 September 2005. The Garda authorities have now submitted their observations on the revised sketch scheme prepared by the Office of Public Works for the proposed new Garda station for Leixlip and have indicated certain changes they wish to see made to it. These matters have been cleared by my Department and been brought to the attention...

Written Answers — Family Law: Family Law (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 and 530 together. Under the law as it stands, married parents living together are joint guardians and custodians of their child. If they separate, the custody is normally with the parent with whom the child primarily resides, but the other parent still remains a guardian. An unmarried father may apply to the court to be appointed a guardian of his child....

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (8 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The community-based group in question was approved capital grant assistance of €392,555 under the equal opportunities child care programme some time ago. The group was also approved staffing grant assistance of €304,737 which will be continued to the end of December 2007 as the group continues to deliver a child care service in accordance with its pre-agreed targets. I understand from...

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

Michael McDowell: The application in question was received by my Department on 27 July 2005. Having given full consideration to the matter, this application was refused because my Department was not satisfied, on the basis of the documentation supplied, that the applicant could maintain himself while residing in the State without recourse to public funds. The fact that the applicant also overstayed on a...

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

Michael McDowell: The parents concerned were granted permission to remain in the State for a two-year period from 21 and 14 October 2005, respectively, under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005 for the non-national parents of Irish-born children born before 1 January 2005. Applicants for permission to reside in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish-born child were made fully...

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

Michael McDowell: The membership of my Department's audit committee is as follows: Mr. Jimmy Farrelly, chairperson; Ms Sylda Langford; Mr. Jim McHugh; and Mr. Robert Woods. There is one vacancy on the committee. The committee has met five times since 8 November 2004. The agenda for meetings of the committee comprises items for discussion and-or decision in respect of departmental activities for which the...

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

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, 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...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 509 together. An in-depth assessment of the financial implications is an integral part of the decentralisation process. To this end, it has been agreed centrally that each Department and organisation will identify and monitor the types of incremental non-property costs and savings associated with the Government's decentralisation programme during the...

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

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on appeal by my Department on 3 November 2005.

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

Michael McDowell: If a person who is the subject of a valid deportation order wishes to return to the State that person may apply to have the deportation order revoked under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999. There is no automatic right of residency for a non-EU national who marries an Irish national. However, a non-EU national who marries an Irish national may apply for permission to enter and reside...