Results 15,561-15,580 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applicants under the revised processing arrangements announced on 15 January 2005 who cannot obtain a valid passport or national identity document as proof of identity from within the State, should write to the Irish Born Child Unit, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, PO Box 10003, Dublin 2 , quoting their departmental reference number and requesting permission to travel...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 191 and 207 on 21 April last, in which I expressed my extreme disappointment at the rejection by staff of the proposal for organisational change in the Prison Service. The proposal emerged following protracted negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission and an arbitration process and was recommended for acceptance by the national executive...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy's attention to the Adjournment debates on 12 November and 19 November 2003 regarding measures to contain prison costs, including possible new management arrangements for the open prison in County Cavan which would not involve the Irish Prison Service. The rationale behind the proposal to have alternative arrangements for the operation of this prison is outlined therein. I...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The declaration in question was examined recently by my officials and was found to have been lodged in accordance with the statutory provisions set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. The person concerned has been informed of this in writing and has been requested to pay the statutory fee. A certificate confirming that the person concerned is an Irish citizen will issue as soon...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 20 fixed camera installation post sites in all, located on the N1, N2, N3, N4, M1 and M50. Three cameras are rotated between these posts. Four camera installation posts are non-operable as a result of vandalism. Two of these posts were damaged by fire and the other two knocked over and damaged. A contractor has been engaged to replace...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: No international human rights norms require the granting of Irish citizenship to Romanian citizens simply on the basis of their residence in the State. Even where a non-national has been granted refugee status, and is thus acknowledged as a person who is unable to seek the protection of his or her country of origin, the 1951 Geneva Convention imposes no obligation regarding the conferral of...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department recently received the High Court warrant which allows for the transfer of this individual into this country and the continued enforcement of his prison sentence under the transfer of sentenced persons legislation. I have been assured this transfer will be effected as soon as is practically possible.

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 431, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following tables show the headline offences by group from 2000 to 2004 in Tallaght and Crumlin Garda districts. The Firhouse and Ballycullen areas are part of the Tallaght district. The Greenhills and Templeogue areas are part of both the Tallaght and Crumlin districts.

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: Responsibility for the provision of spaces for young offenders committed to custody when they are under the age of 16 years lies with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. I have general responsibility for the provision of spaces for persons committed to custody once they are 16 years of age or over. However, while offenders under the age of 15 years cannot be committed to a...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, an Angolan national, arrived in the State on 31 July 2003 and applied for asylum. His application was refused 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 15 February 2005 that the Minister proposed...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am aware that the Garda authorities have made proposals regarding Ballinhassig station, which involve the utilisation of part of the existing site. A prefabricated building was erected on the site and some work will be required to this building in the near future. However, I am advised by the Garda housing section that it has received no requests in regard to rat infestation. I assure the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are plans to refurbish Dunmanway Garda station. I am informed by the Office of Public Works that the refurbishment works were contingent on the acquisition of a portion of the adjoining site at the rear of the station. I am also advised by the board that protracted negotiations for the acquisition of this land have proved difficult and the OPW is now reviewing its options. I can assure...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department wrote to the person's solicitor setting out the position in this case on 29 April 2005. A decision in the case will be made as soon as possible following receipt of a reply to that letter.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application was received in my Department on 23 March 2005 from the person concerned seeking permission to remain in the State on the basis of her parentage of an Irish born child under the revised arrangements I announced on 15 January 2005. Applications are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible and, in so far as is possible, in order of receipt. Given the number of applications...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned, a Congolese national, arrived in the State on 4 March 1997 and applied for asylum. Under the procedures then applicable, his application was refused by the asylum division and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, he was informed by letter dated 28 January, 1999, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A key issue to be addressed in the installation of Finglas town centre CCTV system is the provision of suitable accommodation to house the monitoring equipment. It was initially hoped that this could be accommodated in Finglas Garda station. However, this station is not of an acceptable standard and I have already stated that immediate priority is being given to providing a new Garda station....

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: In May 1999 an interdepartmental review group was tasked to examine the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956-86. In its report, published in June 2000, the group concluded: separate standards for off-line and on-line environments will only create serious problems for society in the longer term. However, liability issues in the internet gambling area are likely to be as complex as in other areas of...

Written Answers — DNA Databank: DNA Databank (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: A national DNA databank would be of great assistance to the Garda Síochána in the detection of crime and I support the introduction of such a database. It is my intention to draw up proposals for the establishment of a DNA database which would, having regard to constitutional requirements and the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights, permit as extensive a databank as...

Written Answers — DNA Databank: DNA Databank (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is my intention to draw up proposals for the establishment of a DNA databank which would, having regard to constitutional requirements and the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights, permit as extensive a databank as possible. As I previously indicated to the House the Law Reform Commission is examining the issues surrounding the establishment of a DNA databank. The...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (4 May 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a directive issued arising from the enactment ofS.I. 167/2005 which created a new summons format. This requires a change to be made to PULSE. The new format will be introduced in PULSE as soon possible after the format has been agreed with the Courts Service. In the interim I am advised by the...