Results 15,801-15,820 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities inform me that advice has been received from the law officers on the implications of the recent decision of the High Court on section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 and on the taking of prosecutions utilising section 21 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, as amended by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. The Garda authorities further inform me that the information...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that as of 8 April 2005 there were 86 juvenile liaison officer — JLO — gardaí and eight JLO sergeants working in the various divisions throughout the country. In addition to this, the national juvenile office has a staff of one superintendent, two inspectors...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the scheme of a judicial council Bill to Government for approval with a view to publishing the Bill itself in the first half of this year. The preparation of the scheme of the Bill is at an advanced stage. I am engaged in a number of necessary consultations on the draft scheme at present. The Bill will establish a judicial council with...

Written Answers — Refugee Appeals Tribunal: Refugee Appeals Tribunal (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Refugee Appeals Tribunal is an independent body established under the Refugee Act 1996. The tribunal comprises a chairperson and, at present, 35 ordinary members appointed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The criteria used in making appointments to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal are set out in the Second Schedule to the 1996 Act. Ordinary members of the tribunal, who...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Síochána does not as a matter of routine receive caller identification from the emergency services operator. For all other calls, caller identification is received only if the caller has enabled the facility on their telephone.

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not clear if the Deputy is referring to a specific area of immigration law. There is a wide range of offences created within the overall legislative framework dealing with immigration and asylum. Data on the number of persons in detention for breaches of those laws are not maintained in a manner to enable me provide the information sought by the Deputy. I am aware that particular...

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

Michael McDowell: The closing date for receipt of applications for the IBC/05 scheme was 31 March 2005. Some 18,000 applications were received. Of this number, some 3,600 applicants have been granted temporary permission to remain and 13 applicants have been refused temporary permission to remain. It should be noted that a number of incomplete applications are currently under examination or are being held...

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 776 and 777 together. While the number of cases of possession of firearms has decreased, it is a matter of concern to note a further increase in cases of discharge of firearms. I am conscious of the recent increase in violent crime involving firearms and the particular overriding necessity to ensure that public safety and security are given priority in...

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

Michael McDowell: I cannot agree to the suspension of our deportation process on the basis outlined by the Deputy. Deportations take place within the provisions of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and after each case has been fully considered by me with regard to the 11 considerations contained in section 3(6) of that Act and section 5 — prohibition of refoulement— of the Refugee Act 1996. I cannot...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 62 of today.

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

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy is referring to applications for leave to remain made pursuant to section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended. Leave to remain in these circumstances arise where a non-national is served with a notice of intent to deport under section 3(3)(a) of the Immigration Act 1999. A person served with such a notice of intent is afforded three options, namely, to leave the...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, I announced the establishment within the Garda Síochána of the traffic corps on 23 November 2004. The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government. As each cycle of recruit training is...

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

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel that the personnel, strength of the Garda Síochána as of 7 April 2005 was 12,209 — all ranks. It is anticipated that a total of 411 recruits will be attested to the Garda Síochána during the remainder of 2005. It is also planned that a total of 1,100...

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 68, tabled by Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin for today, in the above regard.

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

Michael McDowell: The Private Security Authority was established in October 2004 and is located in Tipperary town. The authority currently has a staff complement of five persons. It is envisaged that staffing levels will be increased appropriately over the coming weeks and months. Since its establishment, the Private Security Authority has been formulating strategies for the implementation of the Private...

Written Answers — Prison Reports: Prison Reports (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 751 together. The Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention has made a considerable number of recommendations in his reports aimed at improving prison services and conditions. The position as of end-2003 in regard to implementation of the inspector's earlier recommendations is set out in detail in the Irish Prison Service Annual Report 2003, which...

Written Answers — Prison Drug Treatment Services: Prison Drug Treatment Services (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: Mindful of the commitments in the programme for Government, a group comprising Irish Prison Service management, prison governors, health authority representatives and clinicians have been consulted in relation to a drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service. The intention is that the drugs policy will facilitate consistent regulatory and operational structures in pursuing both supply and...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 131 and 711 together. From January 2002 to date, 13 charter flights have been engaged for the purpose of deportation of persons illegally residing in the State. A total of 376 persons were deported in this way at a total cost of €1,628,201. Details of these charter flights, that is, dates, destinations, numbers deported — broken down into adults and...

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

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 778 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of today.

Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (12 Apr 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 135 together. I take it both questions relate to threats arising in relation to international terrorism rather than from indigenous terrorist groupings. Responsibility for internal national security is a matter for the Garda Síochána, with the support of the Defence Forces, as appropriate. The Garda authorities maintain an up-to-date assessment of...