Results 15,101-15,120 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Gangland Killings: Gangland Killings (1 Jun 2005)

Michael McDowell: The legislative package for tackling serious and organised crime, including drug trafficking, is recognised as one of the toughest available to the forces of law and order in Europe. We cannot rest on our laurels, however. We must strive to give the Garda Síochána the tools needed to counter the changing circumstances of crime which face them. The Criminal Justice Bill 2004, which is...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The employment permit application form issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment makes it clear that the issuance of an employment permit in respect of a named non-EEA national does not in itself authorise that person to enter or reside in the State. Decisions on entry to or residence in the State are a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform under the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The average time for processing applications for naturalisation is 24 months. An application was received in my Department from the person referred to by the Deputy on 12 July, 2002. The applicant's solicitors were informed of my decision to refuse the application and of the reasons for that refusal in a letter dated 3 December 2004.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in respect of his wife and children under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996. In support of his application he submitted four passports. Doubts arose as to the authenticity of the passports in question. Subsequent checks by document experts concluded that one of the passports had been fraudulently altered and that there were...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Prisoners are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession either in Mountjoy Prison or in any of the other penal institutions in the State. However, one of the major difficulties in prisons today lies in preventing access to contraband items, primarily mobile phones and drugs, which for obvious reasons are viewed as highly valuable commodities among elements of the prison...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy was informed in my reply to his parliamentary question of 12 April 2005, applications are not, in general, expedited. Contrary to the Deputy's suggestion, this application was not an appeal but was a stand-alone application and was dealt with as such. However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved by my Department on 23 May 2005....

Written Answers — Equality Issues: Equality Issues (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me, in the light of the independent role of the director of the Equality Tribunal in investigating or mediating complaints, to comment on any individual case, other than to indicate the following. Since October 2000 direct and indirect discrimination in the provision of goods and services is prohibited under the Equal Status Act...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: While funding applications received to date from County Kildare for assistance under the EOCP amount to €11 million approximately, many projects are withdrawn by the project proposers prior to the selection process. Grants totalling almost €6.6 million have been approved including more than €3.1 million in capital grant assistance to nine community-based not-for-profit groups; almost...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department operates a number of different grant schemes designed to achieve a broad range of community-wide objectives. As such, and with the exception of funding specifically allocated for RAPID areas, groups or organisations from RAPID areas are not necessarily prioritised over others. However, in the case of many of these schemes, my Department considers, inter alia, matters such as the...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An extensive set of criteria is applied when assessing any visa application. These criteria, to a large extent, depend on the context in which the application is made, the personal circumstances of the applicant and the nature and purpose of the application. In assessing any visa application various matters will be considered, including whether the applicant will fully honour the conditions...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned entered the State in May 2003 and claimed asylum. On 29 October 2003 it was decided by the Refugee Applications Commissioner that the person's application should be transferred to Germany in accordance with the provisions of article 8 of the then Dublin Convention. Germany agreed to accept responsibility for the application. The person appealed the decision which was...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In light of the scale of this query and the number of agencies involved, it has not been feasible for my Department to prepare a response in the time available. Accordingly, my Department will respond directly in writing to the Deputy with the information requested.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Strong provisions are in place to combat vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Because of my concerns about the abuse of alcohol and its contribution to public order offending and broader social problems, I brought forward tough new provisions to deal with alcohol abuse and its effect...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The applications were received in my Department on 13 April 2005. There is no scheme currently in operation for family reunification of Vietnamese programme refugees. I have contacted the Reception and Integration Agency and I have been advised that the sponsor of the group was advised of the conditions and procedures involved in family reunification by letter dated 31 March 1999. The...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question was received in my Department on 21 January 2005. The visa application was for the stated purposes of enabling a non-EEA national travel to the State for a four month visit to his brother-in-law in the State. The visa officer who assessed the application sought further information following an initial evaluation of the application by letter dated 3 March 2005....

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for conversion of title which was lodged on 29 April 2005, to which dealing No. D2005GY005687M refers. I am further informed that this application was rejected on 16 May 2005 as it did not comply with Land Registry requirements.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 378 together. The Deputy has referred to two applications in his parliamentary question, but has omitted to include application reference numbers. However, my officials believe they have identified the applications in question. Both applications were received by my Department on 20 May 2005, having been forwarded by the Department of Foreign Affairs...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: First, I once again express my sympathy to the family on their tragic loss. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I have received representations regarding this matter and I have corresponded directly with the family. The situation remains that this Garda investigation is ongoing and that the Garda authorities have been in regular contact with the family. The issue of requesting a person from...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was granted, as an exceptional measure, permission to remain in the State for an initial period of one year with effect from 29 April 2004. Representations have been submitted to my Department requesting that the person in question be granted further leave to remain in the State. Consideration will be given to the request shortly and the decision will be notified to the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (31 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible to compile the information requested in the timeframe allowed. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.