Results 15,761-15,780 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Drogheda Garda district as at 31 March 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and as at 12 April 2005 was as set out in the following table. Date Strength 31/03/00 108 ...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Questions Nos. 81, 96, 137 and 743 of 12 April 2005.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to Questions Nos. 100 and 712 on Tuesday, 12 April 2005. The following table contains details of the numbers of deportation orders made and effected since the commencement of the Immigration Act 1999 in November, 1999. Year Deportation orders made Deportation orders effected 1999 101 6 2000 940 187 2001 2,025 365 2002 2,430 521 ...

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: There has been no change in policy regarding the determination of applications for naturalisation from persons who have applied for or been granted a declaration under the provisions of section 17 of the Refugee Act 1996. Persons who have been granted refugee status have a statutory entitlement to reside in the State regardless of whether they are Irish citizens.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Leave to remain, outside that granted on the grounds of parentage of an Irish born child or marriage to an Irish or EU national, is considered in the context of deciding whether to deport a non-national. It is considered, irrespective of whether an application or representations are made to the Minister. In deciding every case the Minister must have regard to the relevant legislation, which...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The traditional approach to sentencing is for the Oireachtas to lay down by law the maximum penalty appropriate to a particular offence and for the courts, having considered all the circumstances of a case, to impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. This approach reflects the doctrine of the separation of powers. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law,...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Let us have a tribunal.

Written Answers — Security Industry: Security Industry (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 91 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Questions Nos. 62 and 63 of today's date. In brief, on 31 March last, I met with representatives of the main banks, An Post, the Central Bank and the major cash-in-transit service providers. I convened this meeting in the immediate aftermath of the armed robbery of a security van at Artane early...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I assume that the Deputy's question refers to work which in itself is lawful — in other words, work which an Irish citizen, a citizen of an EEA country or a citizen of Switzerland is entitled generally, as of right, to undertake in this jurisdiction. There were approximately 88,000 non-EEA or non-Swiss nationals registered with the Garda Síochána as authorised to engage in employment of...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána as at 8 April 2005 was 12,209, all ranks. The House will be aware that in October 2004, the Government approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda mountain bike unit was introduced on a pilot basis, on 5 June 2001, in the Tallaght and Raheny Garda districts of the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR. In February 2002, a review conducted by the Garda authorities found that the deployment of Garda personnel on mountain bikes was proven to be successful in tackling and responding to...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, there are currently 64 Garda youth diversion projects operating in both urban and rural areas. Approximately 3,150 participants are currently involved in the Garda youth diversion projects. The Garda youth diversion projects are a crime prevention measure which seek to divert young persons from becoming involved, or further involved, in anti-social and-or criminal...

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that recruitment to the Garda Síochána is carried out by the Public Appointments Service. However, the Garda authorities have informed me that the total number of applications lodged in respect of the recent Garda recruitment competition was 10,601. In addition, 6,989 applicants sat the exam and 3,761 applicants passed the exam. To date, a total...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: There is a solid basis in legislation and case law for the delegation to officials of authority to adjudicate on applications for leave to remain. On the other hand, the power to make a deportation order is never in practice delegated to officials. In every case deportation orders are made by the Minister. Perhaps this distinction is best illustrated by the case of P.L and B v. the Minister...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 120 and 744 together. The Deputies will be aware that, commencing on 16 February last, a number of searches were conducted at various locations in furtherance of a criminal investigation into suspected PIRA-related money laundering activities. These searches led to the seizure of significant sums of money and the arrest of a number of persons. I am...

Written Answers — Immigrant Services: Immigrant Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: In March 2005 the Government approved the establishment on a non-statutory basis of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, as an executive office within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is intended to provide a one stop shop approach to services relating to the admission of migrants. This decision provides a platform for the establishment of the service....

Written Answers — Commission on Policing and Crime: Commission on Policing and Crime (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have now had an opportunity to consider the recommendations of the Lord Mayor's Commission on Crime and Policing. The Lord Mayor and the city council are to be complimented on a very useful report, which makes a wide range of recommendations, a number of which fall within the city council's area of responsibility. I have already made a comprehensive response to the Lord Mayor. The Garda...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 130 together. The position is that while I have general responsibility for the liquor licensing system in my capacity as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, several other Ministers, and their respective Departments, have responsibilities in relation to particular aspects. For example, the Minister for Health and Children has responsibility...

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 96, 137 and 743 together. I take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family of the deceased person referred to in these questions. The report of the coroners review group published in December 2000 recommended a comprehensive overhaul and modernisation of the coroners service in Ireland, with regard to the legislation governing the work of...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can assure the Deputy that strong provisions have already been put in place to combat the causes of public disorder and anti-social behaviour countrywide. Reductions in violence and public order offences have followed the enactment, during 2003, of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Act, which give significant additional powers to the gardaí to deal with...