Results 15,461-15,480 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I do not know whether he wants to have ASBOs to prevent people from using his front door as a lavatory. Law-abiding people such as Senator Norris are entitled to the protection of the law just as much as everybody else.

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

Michael McDowell: Abstaining is most uncharacteristic of the Senator.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The equal opportunities child care programme, EOCP, 2000-2006, is a central pillar in the Government's child care strategy and is intended to increase the availability and quality of child care supports for parents in employment, education or training. The programme is funded by the Exchequer and the European Union Structural Funds as part of the regional operational programmes of the...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 to 322, inclusive, together. In regard to crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 to 326, inclusive, together. As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As regards crime figures the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis 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...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, continues to operate under pressure in meeting the accommodation and ancillary needs of asylum seekers against a backdrop of a severe shortage of suitable accommodation of every type in the State. The number of asylum seekers currently accommodated is more than 8,000. Against this background, the RIA entered into a short-term contract for the...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The applications in question were received in my Department in February 2005. When assessing applications, the visa officer will consider, among other factors, whether the level of salary of the worker would come within the ambit of qualifying for payment from public funds. In this regard, the criteria set by the Department of Social and Family Affairs for eligibility for family income...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis 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...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis 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...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: As regards crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis 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...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question, which was for the stated purpose of a two-week visit, was received in my Department on 5 April 2005. My Department will re-assess the application in the light of additional documentation which has now been received. However as the supporting documentation is not in English it will require translation.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not clear exactly what case the Deputy is referring to. The person concerned is a key figure in the work being undertaken by the Morris tribunal and has also initiated legal proceedings against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and the Attorney General. As far as the Morris tribunal is concerned, the position is that it has recently...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not clear exactly what costs the Deputy is referring to, but I can only assume they are in respect of representation before the Morris tribunal. If so, the position has been outlined on many occasions to the House. The current legislation, the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2002, provides that the question of costs is solely a matter for the tribunal. The Acts provide that...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in April 2005. Applications of this type, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in chronological order and take approximately 16 months to process.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question has permission to remain in the State as a dependant of his spouse who is the holder of a working visa. His current permission does not expire until June 2006, at which time it is open to him to seek further permission to remain in the State. If the person concerned wishes to take up employment in the State, a prospective employer must first obtain a work permit on his...

Written Answers — Land Registry: Land Registry (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application for transmission of part which was lodged on 3 June 2004. Dealing number D2004SM004736A refers. I am further informed that a query issued to the lodging solicitor on 22 April 2005 and that the application cannot proceed until this query has been satisfactorily resolved. However, on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my recent replies to her Questions Nos. 485 of 22 March 2005 and 98 of 12 April 2005 with regard to this Garda station. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the proposals I outlined to address the accommodation needs of this station are still under consideration.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The passport from the person concerned was submitted with his application for permission to remain in the State on the basis of his parentage of an Irish-born child under the revised arrangements announced by me on 15 January 2005. The relevant passport has been located, checked, copied and returned to the applicant by registered post. Applications are being dealt with as expeditiously as...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (10 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I believe the Deputy is referring to reference to visa application numbers 1740469 and 1740470. These applications were received in my Department on 18 March 2005. The visa officer dealing with the applications has undertaken an initial assessment of the papers provided and has sought further supporting documentation by letter dated 4 May 2005. When the visa officer receives the information,...