Results 13,401-13,420 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Transfer of Execution of Sentences Bill 2003 [Seanad]: Report Stage. (27 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I draw Deputy Ó Snodaigh's attention to the provisions of section 9(2)(f) of the Bill. The High Court is given a very significant role with regard to every application to execute a sentence on foot of the terms of this Bill in this State. The High Court is expressly prohibited from ordering that a sentence be served under the circumstances set out in section 9(2)(f). The legislation provides...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are four ways in which a person born outside of Ireland can obtain Irish citizenship; by means of a grant as a token of honour, by descent, by naturalisation or by marriage to an Irish citizen, post-nuptial citizenship. It is assumed for the purposes of this reply that neither honorary citizenship nor citizenship by descent are relevant in the context of this question. Furthermore, due...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is open to the person concerned to submit an application with supporting documentation outlining their particular circumstances to the general immigration division of my Department. On receipt of same, their application will be considered.

Written Answers — National Identity Cards: National Identity Cards (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans at present to introduce a mandatory identity card system. My Department is, however, keeping the matter under review. I can further inform the Deputy that while I have no plans for the introduction of a national identification card at this stage, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999, SI No. 4 of 1999, provides for a voluntary national age card scheme....

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is solely a matter for the person referred to by the Deputy as to whom he meets in the context of his investigation. The investigation is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions and has statutory power to direct the production of any document. As the investigation remains ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on its operation.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Responsibility for the purchase or sale of land or buildings on behalf of the State is vested in the Office of Public Works and my Department is not involved in such matters. The Government decided in late 2004 to bring forward the site at Harcourt Terrace, involving initially the former butter testing station, and subsequently the Garda station and film censor's office, as a land swap option...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The community-based group in question was approved some time ago for a staffing grant for one year. Following this initial grant funding, the group was not subsequently approved for staffing funding and an appeal concerning this decision was submitted to my Department. The appeal was forwarded to Area Development Management Limited, ADM, which is engaged by my Department to assess all...

Written Answers — Foreign Travel: Foreign Travel (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Since being appointed to office, I have attended the British-Irish Association's conference each year. On each occasion I have been accompanied by three officials, with the exception of the most recent conference where the number was increased to four due to the fact that I had been attending an EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Newcastle the previous day. I have also attended...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: A visa application for the person named in the details supplied by the Deputy has not been received to date. The application will of course be examined at the earliest opportunity once it has been received in my Department.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that community gardaí in Tallaght Garda station are aware of the concerns of elderly people residing in the sub-district and frequently advise them on security matters. I am further informed that gardaí in the Tallaght district work in partnership with local neighbourhood watch schemes. Gardaí encourage neighbourhood watch personnel and other...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 October 2005 was 173, including all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 31 December 1997 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 40, or 30%, in the number of...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The matters to which the Deputy refers, if true, would relate to persons, events and organisations outside this jurisdiction. Accordingly, they would not fall within my remit or that of the Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Jury Service: Jury Service (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the law as it stands in the Juries Act 1976, every citizen aged 18 years or upwards and under the age of 70 years is qualified and liable to serve as a juror. Persons excusable from jury service as of right include those aged 65 years or upwards and under the age of 70 years. I have no proposals to change the law in this area but operation of the law continues to be kept under review.

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí at Raheny and Clontarf Garda stations police the estates in the Dublin 5 area. Mobile and beat patrols pay particular attention to these estates. Additional supporting patrols are provided by divisional units and the detective branch. Community police are assigned to these areas, who have an excellent rapport with the local community....

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible within the timeframe available to collate the information required by the Deputy. I will contact him directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Legal Aid Service: Legal Aid Service (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I set out in my response to Question No. 38 on 20 October 2005, my Department provides for wide access to civil legal advice and assistance via the Legal Aid Board and its nationwide network of law centres. The board's services are available to persons of modest means and at little cost. Funding for the board has been increased by 16% since last year to €21.362 million in 2005 and this...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Marriage to an Irish national does not grant any automatic right to reside in the State. However, if a non-EU national spouse of an Irish national was already legally resident in the State prior to the marriage then he or she can make a request to the local registration officer for a change of their status to reflect their marriage to that Irish national. In the event that a non-EU national...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: As Senator Ross said, choice is the crucial element. I accept what Senators Terry and Ross said about the need to respect the rights and values of parents who make a financial sacrifice to provide parenting in their own homes. If we talk about choice we must focus on the supply of child care places. Senator Minihan proposed that we examine the possibility of increasing the number of child...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: A number of Members have said there should be one effective political head of the State's child care policy responsibility. From the point of view of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the assistant secretary in charge of this programme, Ms Sylda Langford, recently told an Oireachtas committee that it is an accident of history that we found ourselves with this responsibility....

Seanad: Child Care Services: Motion. (26 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: When he looked for them, after being confronted by enthusiastic coverage of the issue by RTE, they had all gone to ground. He was right to point out that if people are willing to stick their necks out and make proposals in this area, they should stick with those proposals. My party recently held a policy conference on this issue and there is a real possibility of polarising parents,...