Results 15,421-15,440 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (12 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 22 April 1999 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 29 August 2002 that the...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (12 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person referred to by the Deputy was originally received in the citizenship section of my Department in December 2004. The application was returned at that stage as the statutory declaration was not completed properly. The form was resubmitted in March 2005 through the Deputy's office but, unfortunately, it was still incorrect. The...

Written Answers — Family Law: Family Law (12 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, together. I assume the Deputy is referring to the Green Paper on applicable law and jurisdiction in divorce matters published by the European Commission on 14 March 2005. The purpose of the paper is to launch a wide-ranging consultation with interested parties on possible measures to be taken at Community level so as to create a...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (12 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A response has issued to the correspondence of 10 November 2003. The matters raised in the more recent correspondence referred to by the Deputy are currently under consideration.

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 81, 96, 137 and 743 of 12 April 2005. The position has not changed.

Written Answers — Youth Diversion Project: Youth Diversion Project (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Garda youth diversion projects are a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the projects also...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will appreciate, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. It is not therefore open to me to comment or intervene in any way in relation to how a particular case is being conducted, which is entirely a matter for the presiding judge. With regard to the general issue of reserved judgments, the Deputy...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to advise the Deputy that 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.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been two persons arrested since January 2005 directly related to public order incidents at the location referred to by the Deputy. Both persons are being dealt with under the juvenile diversion programme. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that a new development for senior citizens is under construction at the complex. On...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there has been no recent upsurge in street prostitution in the area referred to by the Deputy. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that all gardaí at the Bridewell Garda station have been briefed on this matter and are aware of the concerns of residents in the area. In addition to normal patrols there are two plain-clothes gardaí...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person referred to by the Deputy was admitted to the State in December 2001 as a programme refugee. His wife arrived in the State in 2003. I can confirm that the visa applications in relation to his wife's family have been received in my Department. She has been requested to provide further documentation and information in support of the applications and on receipt of same a decision will...

Written Answers — Equal Rights Issues: Equal Rights Issues (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In a case of alleged physical and emotional abuse by the mother of a child, it is open to the father to apply to the court for custody of the child. It is also open to a father to apply to the court, under the Domestic Violence Act 1996 as amended by the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act 2002, for a barring order or a protection order against the mother. Married parents living together are...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been unable to trace any recent correspondence in relation to a visa concerning the person or any family members of the person named by the Deputy. The visa reference numbers quoted by the Deputy numbers 1229469 and 1229470 relate to applications made in August 2003. Formal notification regarding refusal of these applications issued to Abuja on 5 September 2003. The reasons for refusal...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 250, inclusive, together. On becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for 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...

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the House for inviting me this evening to discuss the important issue of anti-social behaviour orders or ASBOs. I abhor the behaviour mentioned by Senator Brian Hayes. It is by no means normal but it is also by no means unheard of. There are people in society who behave in an anti-social manner. We cannot avoid that fact. There are various remedies available to us but to use the...

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It was they who evoked this opposition.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate them most sincerely.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I congratulate those parties most sincerely for seeing the light and for coming on board. There is a slight difficulty in that the Green Party with whom they hope to do business has come out solidly against this proposal.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: That is not propaganda, that is the case.

Seanad: Anti-Social Behaviour: Motion. (11 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I wish to move on to some other points.