Results 13,261-13,280 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no data available on the number of checkpoints held in each county for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005. The number of speed related fines and dangerous driving incidences for the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are available in the Garda annual report 2000-2003, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have held meetings with Fingal County Council in relation to measures to control bonfires. A policing plan was prepared and was in operation over the Hallowe'en period. I understand that where bonfire material is located it is removed by Fingal County Council. I am further informed that additional resources, including public order units, were...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Accidents: Road Traffic Accidents (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that on 14 October 2005 gardaí responded to a road traffic collision on the N2 at Coolquay, The Ward. The Garda response is being examined by Garda management. I am further informed that the Garda response to all emergency calls received is monitored by Garda management and is the subject of regular examination. An officer is appointed in each Garda...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The cost of the development of the PULSE system was €61.33 million. The PULSE project was initiated in 1996 and development was completed in 2001. As a result of its size and complexity, the system was implemented in a number of phased releases commencing in November 1999 with the final release rolled out nationwide at the end of 2003. As with any major information technology system, there...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that gardaí have not issued a letter of exemption to the drivers of vehicles over three tonnes to enable them to use the Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown. I am further informed that in May 1996 a letter was supplied by gardaí at Ballyfermot Garda station to the directors of an engineering company acknowledging that their place of business was on...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 8 September 2004 and claimed asylum on 10 September 2004. The claim was investigated by the Refugee Applications Commissioner who concluded that the person concerned did not meet the criteria for recognition as a refugee. The commissioner's recommendation was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 24 March 2005. This communication...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question have been approved on appeal by my Department.

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Questions Nos. 137 and 138 of Thursday, 20 October 2005. The position as stated in that reply regarding the long-standing policy of the Government in not allowing asylum seekers take up employment remains and, so, the issue of a work permit does not arise.

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The current position in respect of the five members of the Garda Síochána in question is as follows. One member was transferred on 24 June 2005 but is now absent without leave and has been taken off the payroll. One member retired from the force before his transfer was to come into effect. One member appealed his transfer to the assistant commissioner, for human resource management. This...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Procedures: Garda Vetting Procedures (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware that at the time of the person's application in 2002 the services of the Garda central vetting unit were not available in relation to the particular employment in question. The Deputy will be aware that all organisations that recruit persons who would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults will shortly be entitled to avail of the vetting services of...

Written Answers — Victim Support Services: Victim Support Services (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Services assisting the victims of crime are supported through the work of the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime which I established in March 2005. The commission's term of office is for three years and its members are: Mr. Jim Mc Hugh, retired Garda assistant commissioner, Chairman; Ms Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Sean Lowry, former head of...

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The financial eligibility limits prescribed in the civil legal aid regulations of 2002 are being kept under ongoing review.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The procedure for the appointment of tribunal counsel is that the chairperson of the proposed tribunal identifies counsel on a criteria of suitability, expertise and experience and submits these names to the Attorney General for approval. The Attorney General approves the appointment having discussed the suitability of counsel for the tribunal with the chairperson. The names of the approved...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question has been approved on appeal by my Department.

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: Following consultations between my Department, the Courts Service and other interests I concluded that the maximum award limit for the Small Claims Court should be increased. I can confirm therefore that I have recently requested the District Court rules committee to amend the relevant rules to provide for an increase in the maximum award limit for claims before the court.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question has been approved by my Department.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The incident to which the Deputy refers did not occur in the centre named in this question and the matter is under investigation by the local gardaí. As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 25 November last from the Deputy, the reception and integration agency, which oversees accommodation matters for asylum seekers, is satisfied that the security arrangements in...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The national missing persons helpline was established in October, 2002. It was operated by Victim Support and supported by the Garda Síochána. Funding of €110,000 was provided to the helpline by my Department in respect of the years 2002-2004. In addition, my Department also provided funding for the Victim Support organisation. Following a review of existing support provisions, I...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: A survey of the Garda property portfolio was carried out on behalf of the Office of Public Works some time ago to determine and list the Garda properties considered to be economically maintainable and those considered to be uneconomic to repair. Following that survey, the Office of Public Works last year ran a pilot equity exchange programme of eight Garda stations in counties Limerick and...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (2 Nov 2005)

Michael McDowell: The reception and integration agency, RIA, conducts unannounced, comprehensive, formal and other informal inspections on each of the centres accommodating asylum seekers throughout the State to ensure that the terms of the memorandum of agreement are being met. In addition, the RIA has engaged independent companies with expertise in HACCP and fire safety to conduct inspections on its behalf....