Results 16,041-16,060 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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

Michael McDowell: As I explained to the Deputy in my response to his earlier question on 23 February last, a declaration of acceptance of Irish citizenship as post-nuptial citizenship was received in the citizenship section of my Department from the person referred to in the Deputy's question of 16 December 2004. I stated then that it was likely that the processing of the declaration of the person referred to...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate and supported the Government's motion. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe asked why the Commissions of Investigation Bill was not used on this occasion. Section 8 of that Bill provides that the proceedings under those inquiries should be held in private as much as possible whereas Judge Cory recommended the opposite, that this inquiry should be held in...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: No, but the scheme of the Act is that its proceedings should be held in private as much as possible and, effectively, one must get the permission of the High Court to issue the report. It is not the type of tribunal Judge Cory had in mind. Obviously on grounds of expense it was quite attractive. On the other hand, in the context of the controversy about the inquiries Bill, in which I...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Those who doubt that should look at today's newspapers and see how polarised opinion is. Sometimes we are asked to believe that a sectarian head count in Northern Ireland will decide its political future. It is interesting to note that whereas the provisional movement has alienated and polarised Protestants in Northern Ireland, one third of Catholics are not with the movement on the project...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: One of the policemen had a white handkerchief in his hand when he was found.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Hear, hear.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move: That Dáil Éireann: —noting that following agreement reached between the British and Irish Governments at Weston Park in 2001, retired Canadian Supreme Court Judge Mr. Peter Cory was appointed to undertake a thorough investigation of allegations of collusion between British and Irish security forces and paramilitaries in six incidents; —noting that the aim of this process was to...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is important that I preface my remarks by pointing out that it has been the policy of successive Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform not to reveal the personal details of the cases of individual applicants for asylum whose applications are received and treated in confidence. Having said that, I do not wish to shirk the issues Members have raised. Underlying this case are two...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The deportation order was sent to the person at his home address and the accompanying letter instructed him to report to the offices of the Garda national immigration bureau on 3 March 2005.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: This letter was copied to his solicitors. He did not do as requested and was classified as an evader. On 14 March 2005, coincidentally on the day a charter operation to Nigeria was taking place, he arrived at Burgh Quay accompanied by a friend who described himself as his uncle. The person was advised by the Garda to seek immediate legal advice. He was detained and placed in Cloverhill...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned did not seek such assistance.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In regard to the substance of this case, Deputy Costello urged that we would not deport——

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——the school-going children of non-national parents who are facing deportation while they remain in full-time education, and not to deport the young people who come to Ireland as unaccompanied minors while they also remain in full-time education. I ask Deputies to consider what would be the consequences of such a policy. In effect, no person in any form of education and, by implication,...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Furthermore, Ireland would send out a message to the world that it is assuming an obligation to provide education to those who have been found not to be in need of international protection and have otherwise no right to be in the State. A further implication of allowing this person to stay is that, as a matter of policy, a person who has lost one parent and who is not living with the other...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: ——should be allowed to stay and be educated here. Again, this is not a rational proposition and such a policy would lead to a chaotic immigration system.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The suggestion that has come from some sources that I should not deport a person because he or she is a good student, implying that students who are less academically gifted can be deported, is indefensible.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The same applies to athletic prowess and participation in church activities.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I cannot discriminate against those who are less gifted or on grounds of religious activity.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: All failed asylum seekers and persons illegally in the State are first given the opportunity of going home voluntarily, funded in many cases by the taxpayer. If this is not availed of and a deportation order results, it is carried out with due advance notice to the deportee, which was the case on this occasion. Since I became Minister I have observed some groups in this country who place...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: When the true facts emerge exposing the untruths we are deafened by the silence of these same groups. In particular, a group calling itself Residents Against Racism organised an extensive campaign in respect of a person who claimed she was facing a sentence of death in a Muslim Sharia court in Nigeria. Its campaign involved demonstrations attended by Members of this House and considerable...