Results 15,781-15,800 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 101, 106, 109, 110 and 757 to 761, inclusive, together. I would first like to state unequivocally my abhorrence at the murder of Mr. Eddie Fullerton, then Sinn Féin councillor on Donegal County Council, on the morning of 25 May 1991. The attack was callous and cold-blooded, and it also involved the taking hostage of another family in Buncrana. The...

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

Michael McDowell: Ministerial State cars are placed at the disposal of Government Ministers and others pursuant to a long standing arrangement and are supplied to the following: Taoiseach; Tánaiste; 13 Government Ministers; President; Chief Whip; Ceann Comhairle; Attorney General; Director of Public Prosecutions; Chief Justice; and former Taoisigh and Presidents. I have been informed by the Garda authorities,...

Written Answers — Omagh Bombing Civil Actions: Omagh Bombing Civil Actions (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can assure the Deputy that the Government and I remain willing to assist the survivors and relatives of the Omagh bombing with their civil action to the greatest extent possible, in accordance with law. In particular, I have agreed that the costs associated with accommodation and security in relation to the taking of evidence on commission in this jurisdiction will be met by the Irish...

Written Answers — Victim Support: Victim Support (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The new Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has as its terms of reference to: (a) devise an appropriate support framework for victims of crime into the future; and (b) disburse funding for victim support measures. The commission's term of office will be for three years and its members are: Mr. Jim Mc Hugh, retired Assistant Commissioner, the Gárda Síochána — chairman; Ms Nora...

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

Michael McDowell: The information requested is contained in tabular format set out below. Table 1: Number of applications for asylum received and the number of recommendations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner* to grant Refugee Status (at first instance) in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005**. 2002 2003 2004 2005* No. of applications received 11,634 7,900 4,766 1,259 No. of...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I reject the Deputy's assertion that there is a crisis in child care services. As the Deputy will be aware, there have been significant improvements in the provision of supports for the development of child care over the last number of years as the Government took steps to develop a child care infrastructure in Ireland by assisting the voluntary community sector and the private sector to...

Written Answers — Law on Defamation: Law on Defamation (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I intend to bring forward proposals for the reform of the law on defamation to the Government in the near future on completion of the extensive consultations in which I have engaged on the matter.

Written Answers — Immigration Policy: Immigration Policy (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: In January of this year the Spanish Government announced a regularisation programme for illegal migrants living in Spain. The programme which began on 7 February 2005 will run for three months to 7 May. While it is expected that there will be significant numbers involved it is not possible to obtain final numbers as the programme is still ongoing. The Irish Government was not consulted prior...

Written Answers — Reintegration of Prisoners: Reintegration of Prisoners (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, the NESF itself has, in November 2004, presented a report to the Taoiseach entitled Fourth Periodic Report on the Work of the NESF, which the forum had prepared for the purpose of reviewing implementation and follow-through, mainly by Government Departments and State agencies, on several particular reports it had undertaken and submitted over the period 2001-03 and...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Assistant Commissioner Martin Callinan, Garda national support services, has been appointed by the Garda Commissioner to be the liaison officer to the families.

Written Answers — North-South Policing Protocol: North-South Policing Protocol (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to have this opportunity to inform the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI recently signed protocols which provide for the implementation of a programme of personnel exchanges and secondments between the Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The signing of these protocols is clear evidence of the continued commitment of...

Written Answers — Immigration Policy: Immigration Policy (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Under the law as set out in section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, I am obliged to take humanitarian considerations into account in determining whether or not a deportation order should be made. The question of disregarding such considerations, therefore, does not arise. I am also obliged to take into account a range of other factors, including the common good. As the Supreme Court has...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The current seven year Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, EOCP, 2000-2006 has an equal opportunities and social inclusion perspective and facilitates the further development and expansion of child care facilities to address the needs of parents, in reconciling their child care needs with their participation in employment, education and training. The EOCP aims to increase the supply of...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to her parliamentary question — ref. 8943/05 — on 22 March 2005 when I specified the various proposals being considered by the Garda authorities in relation to this station. I am advised by the Garda authorities that these proposals are still under consideration.

Written Answers — Electronic Monitoring: Electronic Monitoring (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 107 and 222 of 16 February 2005, the use of electronic tagging systems to monitor offenders in other jurisdictions is an issue which my Department has kept under review for some time. My Department has looked at the experience of a number of countries in the operation of these systems. These include the United Kingdom, the United...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 712 together. A total of 11,270 deportation orders have been made under the Immigration Act 1999 since its commencement in November 1999. Of these, 2,268 deportation orders have been effected to date — 1,546 in the period 1 June 2002 to 31 March 2005 — and approximately 100 cases are with the Garda national immigration bureau for arrangements to be...

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

Michael McDowell: I have no plans to reduce opening hours or close any Garda station. The use of Garda stations was considered as part of the major review of the Garda organisation structures under the strategic management initiative programme of modernisation which looked in detail at a range of areas within the organisation. The Garda SMI implementation steering group's final report, which I have laid before...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on immigration matters, which was signed at Abuja on 29 August 2001 provides, inter alia, for a mechanism for the repatriation of persons between the two states. Article 20 of the agreement provides that nationals of the contracting states shall not be subject to inhuman or degrading...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 733 and 772 together. I am in receipt of correspondence concerning this matter from a number of sources, including the vice-principal of the school concerned and the joint managerial body of the Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools. I should first point out that Garda Síochána is tasked with the execution of deportation orders. In...

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

Michael McDowell: It is assumed that this question refers to unaccompanied minors who arrive in the State seeking asylum, whose claims for refugee status are refused following consideration of their cases by two independent bodies — the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal — and who subsequently reach the age of majority. In such circumstances, the person is...