Results 13,441-13,460 of 18,733 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Sex Offenders Act 2001 does not create a sex offenders register nor is the term "register" mentioned or used in the legislation. The Act requires persons to be subject to notification requirements under Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The Garda Síochána has responsibility for enforcement of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. In the...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that the Children Act 2001 is complex and comprehensive legislation and, for those reasons, provisions under the Act are being implemented on a phased basis, as was envisaged at the time of enactment. Responsibility for implementing the Children Act 2001 lies with the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science in respect of the...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: In considering a case for deportation, I must have regard, inter alia, to section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. This means that a person shall not be expelled from the State or returned in any manner whatsoever to a State where, in my opinion, the life or freedom of that person would be threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that six mountain bikes are allocated within the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area and three sergeants and 12 gardaí are trained and equipped to use them. Mountain bike units are engaged in mainstream policing in conjunction with the community policing...

Written Answers — Garda Code: Garda Code (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána code covers all areas of Garda duties including operational, security and administrative duties. All members of the Garda Síochána are issued with a personal copy of the code which is retained by the member for the duration of his or her service. In accordance with section 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, every organ of the State is obliged to...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Commissioner appointed a chief superintendent to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident referred to in the Deputy's question. The report of the examination has been submitted to the Law Offices for consideration. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that the number of gardaí that were in service, all ranks, at the end of each of the past ten years was as set out in the following table. The estimated number of gardaí, all ranks, that will be in service on 31 December 2005 is also set out. Years Numbers 1995...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Children Act 2001 proposed to raise the age of criminal responsibility from seven years to 12 years. In retrospect, such a raising of the age by five years in one go may have been overly ambitious. Accordingly, the Minister of State in my Department, Deputy Brian Lenihan, who has responsibility for children, is preparing proposals for submission to Government which will include a...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that a modern lightweight technical vest with anti-stab and anti-ballistic properties has been sourced and procured. I am further informed that it is envisaged that this particular vest will be piloted in an operational Garda district in the very near future. Garda...

Written Answers — Fireworks Regulation: Fireworks Regulation (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: Fireworks are deemed to be explosives under the provisions of the Explosives Act 1875. They may be imported into the State only under an importation licence granted by my Department. It is a long-standing policy that these licences are granted only for organised displays conducted by professional and experienced operators and in accordance with agreed safety procedures. The number of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The immigration division of my Department has recently been in correspondence with the person concerned requesting documentation in support of her application for residency. On receipt of all the documentation requested, a decision will be made on the case. An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in August 2002. The application...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the persons concerned have been granted temporary permission to remain in the State for an initial period of two years, effective from 14 October 2005 in respect of the first named person and effective from 21 October 2005 in respect of the second named person. Some 18,000 applications for permission to remain were received under the revised arrangements...

Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that between 2.30 a.m and 3.30 a.m. on 16 October 2005 five different incidents were reported to gardaí in Swinford Garda district. Three of these incidents were public order disturbances at Charlestown, Kiltimagh and Swinford. The other incidents concerned the sexual assault of a female in Kiltimagh and a wandering horse on a public road. The...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the current number of squad cars available in each Garda district in County Mayo is as set out in the following table: District Number Ballina 7 Belmullet 4 Castlebar 9 Claremorris 5 Swinford 7 Westport 5 Total 37 Transport resources...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The number of applications received, granted and refused in the past five years for residency based on marriage to an Irish national are set out in the table below. There are no separate figures kept on the number of applications that have been denied on the basis that the marriage is fraudulent. It should also be noted that a total of 99 applications have also been abandoned for various...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a formal certificate confirming the Irish citizenship of the person concerned issued to him by registered post on 20 October 2005.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 1067 of Wednesday, 28 September 2005. The current position is as set out in that reply.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (25 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: The existing arrangements applying to civil servants assaulted in the course of, or in connection with, carrying out their official duties are contained in Department of Finance circular 5/1986. These arrangements do not provide for assignment or transfer of staff to light duties pending their recovery from injury. The Prison Service has, however, developed a critical incident protocol which...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (20 Oct 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am convinced that the Garda Síochána is by far the most appropriate structure within which to locate the enforcement of road traffic law and road safety. Road traffic offences are serious offences, which too often lead to fatalities and serious injuries. One of the main strategic goals in the Government Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 and the Garda Síochána corporate strategy 2005-2007,...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (20 Oct 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, human resource management. This was...