Results 16,021-16,040 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am just making a point——

Seanad: Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——that should be made. We are collectively seen by some people on this island as a group that has not been entirely without fault, irrespective of our party and our past disputes.

Seanad: Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I will not involve myself in controversy. I am in an avuncular mood today and will remain so.

Seanad: Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am pleased to have the opportunity to table this motion seeking the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry into suggestions of collusion in the brutal and callous murders of RUC Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and RUC Superintendent Bob Buchanan by the Provisional IRA in 1989. The background to this motion originates as far back as August 2001 when, following discussions with the Northern...

Road Traffic Offences. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am grateful to Deputy Keaveney for raising this matter. I share her concern at the presence of untaxed vehicles on our roads. As she points out, honest motorists are fed up with the small hardcore who continually evade paying their road taxes. The Exchequer loses millions in revenue each year to those evaders. I was interested to hear the Deputy say that she had raised this issue in the...

Garda Investigations. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank Deputy Rabbitte for raising this matter. The facts of this case have been outlined to the House on a number of occasions. I do not propose to set them out again in full, but a brief summary may be helpful. The main facts, as notified to me by the Garda authorities, are as follows. Sylvia Shiels and Mary Callinan were murdered on the night of 6-7 March 1997 as they were sleeping....

Written Answers — Refugee Legal Services: Refugee Legal Services (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 to 237, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputy, in so far as it is readily available to me, is provided in this reply. The number of appeals against the recommendations of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner received by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the number of appeals which were granted for...

Written Answers — Courts Service: Courts Service (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I stated in reply to Question No. 351 from Deputy Costello on 8 March 2005, it has not been possible in the time available to compile the information requested by the Deputy. The information sought is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the speed detection equipment available to gardaí can be used during day time and night time hours.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I regret the information the Deputy requested in Question No. 798 for written answer on 26 January 2005 was not available at that time. The information requested is outlined in a table which is being made available to the Deputy. The table shows the number of cases reported to the Garda Síochána for 2002, 2003 and 2004 by division and indicates where a firearm or firearms were stolen and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: There are reciprocal recognition arrangements in respect of admission of lawyers in place between Ireland and the states of Pennsylvania, New York and California. This is facilitated by section 44(6) of the Solicitors Act 1954 as inserted by section 52 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1994. The Act permits a person who is qualified in a profession corresponding to that of solicitor in non-EU...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed that the non-EEA national in question failed to report to the Garda immigration authorities in June 2004 to renew his permission to remain in the State as required under the provisions of the Immigration Act. He subsequently came to the attention of the Garda National Immigration Bureau in January 2005 while attempting to unlawfully enter the State from the UK without a required...

Written Answers — Children Act: Children Act (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy will appreciate that the Children Act 2001 is very complex and comprehensive. As such, provisions under the Act are being implemented on a phased basis as envisaged at the time of its enactment. Responsibility for implementing the Children Act 2001 lies with the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Education and Science and Health and Children. The Department of...

Written Answers — Parental Leave: Parental Leave (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The circumstances of parents of children with disabilities was considered in the context of the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. In its 2002 report, the working group, which comprised the social partners, relevant Departments and the Equality Authority, recommended raising the age of eligibility in respect of a child with a...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is a charge application which was lodged on 30 July 2004. Dealing Number D2004WS008976E refers. I am further informed that this application was completed on 16 November 2004 and land certificate and copy folio and file plan issued to lodging solicitors on 17 November 2004.

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: During 2004 a total of 4,477 persons were refused leave to land at Irish ports of entry. In 2004, 2,931 persons were refused leave to land at Dublin Airport. The main countries of origin of these people were Nigeria, Brazil, Romania, Poland, South Africa, China, Lithuania, Pakistan, Latvia and India. Since 1 May 2004, Polish, Lithuanian and Latvian nationals have enjoyed EU rights of freedom....

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The following table outlines, in so far as figures are available, the number of certificates of naturalisation issued and applications refused, including those for persons with refugee status, for the period 2000 to 2004. Save in very exceptional circumstances all applicants for naturalisation must have leave to remain — since one of the conditions for naturalisation is lawful residence in...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. The two persons referred to by the Deputy are Nigerian women who were deported from the State on a charter flight to Lagos on the night of the 14 to 15 March 2005. One of the women was accompanied in the State by four of her children, while the other was accompanied by two children. The asylum applications of both women and their children...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Charter flights have been used on 13 different occasions since January 2002 to carry out the deportation of persons without permission to remain in the State. Following an EU-wide tender competition, advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union, a UK based company, Air Partner PLC, was appointed in February 2005 as the approved service provider for future flights of this type for...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The immigration division of my Department has recently been in correspondence with the person in question regarding his immigration status. A decision will be made on the case on receipt of the documentation requested.