Results 14,941-14,960 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 631 together. Statistics relating to the number of liquor licences, their geographical distribution throughout the country and the details of renewals of such licences are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I have no plans to preserve the number of such licences on a geographical or demographic basis. Statistics regarding the number of licensed...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: During my recent visit to Washington I paid a courtesy call to the US Justice Department, headed up by the US Attorney General, Mr. Alberto Gonzalez. Due to the pressure of his other commitments that afternoon I only had a brief conversation with him and the issue raised by the Deputy did not arise.

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: My predecessor, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, following a Government decision, set up an expert group to examine the probation and welfare service under the chairmanship of Mr. Brian McCarthy. This group produced its first report in November 1998. The final report of the group was published in May 1999 and made several recommendations. Many of the...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Ardee Garda station as at 9 June 2005 was nine, all ranks, and that the station is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, and in the afternoons when resources permit. I am further informed that mobile patrols operate from Monday to Thursday...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession of the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 12 July 2002, dealing number D2002JS006189U. Due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can take some...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the PULSE system is now available in 207 Garda locations. This represents an expansion of the system to a further 26 locations from the previously quoted figure of 181. Further extensions of the system to non-networked locations is being examined as part of the Garda Síochána information and communications strategy 2005-09. To streamline the input...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 2 January 2003 and claimed asylum. Her application for asylum was refused and a deportation order issued in respect of her. Judicial review proceedings have been instituted challenging the deportation order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on this case.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The ministerial decisions unit of my Department has been in place since 20 November 2000, the date on which the independent refugee determination bodies, namely, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, were established on a statutory footing, pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. The need for the unit arises from...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on the steps required to comply with the Council Framework Decision 2005/212/JHA of 24 February 2005 on confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property to enable it to be ratified by Ireland. The details of the action I will take will be outlined in due course.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: Primary legislation will be required to give effect to the framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties which was adopted by Council on 24 February 2005. Details, when approved by Government, will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 596 together. I am advised by the Garda authorities, responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that four superintendents have been allocated to each of the districts of Kilrush and Ennistymon in the past five years. The Garda Commissioner has established a review group to examine migration management and policy of...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: On becoming the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the first time the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office as Minister, the quarterly...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Minister for Education and Science announced the introduction of a national framework of qualifications which is creating a single, coherent and more easily understood system of educational and vocational qualifications. To inform this process for the child care sector, a sub-group of the national child care co-ordinating committee developed a framework entitled, Quality Childcare and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I made an official visit to Argentina from 14 to 20 March for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. In line with Government policy, I took full advantage of my visit there to promote Ireland as a modern, democratic State, an attractive tourist destination and a country with a vibrant economy that offers attractive business opportunities. I also availed of the opportunity to explain ongoing...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The application in question was approved by my Department on 31 May 2005. Notification of any decision normally reaches the applicant within a few working days of the decision date. All documents supplied in support of the application on condition that they be returned, will be transmitted to the relevant person, via the Department of Foreign Affairs, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Private Security Authority: Private Security Authority (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Private Security Authority was established by statute, inter alia, to meet the need to ensure a consistent level of service within the private security industry. The authority was formally launched by me late last year. The Private Security Authority represents a true partnership approach to regulation of the industry, composed as it is of employers and employees within the industry, the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (14 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret that it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the necessary information. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.