Results 16,101-16,120 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: A young man, aged 21, was returned to Nigeria after due process was made available to him. The young gentleman was accorded and afforded by the Irish State every reasonable facility while he was here.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Curran, at least, had the courtesy to note that I was coming to the House in a personal capacity, to address the views of a number of Deputies. I find it sorely disappointing to be shouted down and barracked by a group of people who should not and could not be put in charge of this area of Irish administration.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I thank Deputy Crawford for raising the issue of this family. I have no doubt that what he says is correct, that the mother and children are decent people who were close to the hearts of the community in which they stayed while here. I want, however, to put a few facts on record. The person referred to by the Deputy and her three children arrived in Ireland on 28 November 2001 and claimed...

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In my view — I do not want to be rancorous — this family's case was examined carefully——

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Crawford will be aware that all I can offer in these cases is to operate a fair system applicable to all people in similar circumstances.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I cannot select one person and say on an arbitrary basis that I will treat him or her differently from others.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I do not know what point the Deputy is making. I comply with my obligations.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Yes, so what?

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy should acquaint herself with the Carltona principle.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Dealing with Deputy Crawford's case, in such cases every leniency is given.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: By the Department, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: This House is doing itself a singular disservice in criticising a system that is the fairest in the world.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Our system complies fully with UN guidelines in the manner of its operations.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: I ask Deputy Cuffe and others who refer to America to consider for one moment whether a family in these circumstances would have been provided for by the American state for four years, whether education and so on that we have heard about tonight would have been provided by that society for anyone who turned up on the shores of America in similar circumstances.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The answer to that question is a resounding "no". This country has nothing to be ashamed of in the way it deals with asylum seekers. It deals with them fairly, properly and humanely.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: It has a system of reviews, appeals and discretionary arrangements at the end of the process second to none in the world.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: : It is fairly operated and there is no country in Europe with a fairer system or which shows more compassion or decency to people in these circumstances than we do.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: In the last analysis, if I do not deport some people we might as well have no law at all.

Deportation Orders. (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: Some of the Deputies opposite are proving by their behaviour this evening how unsuited they would be to be entrusted with the difficult task I have to undertake in the name of the Irish people.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (22 Mar 2005)

Michael McDowell: The average processing time for an application for naturalisation is approximately 24 months. This is due primarily to the significant increase in the volume of applications being received in the last few years. A total of 1,004 applications for naturalisation were received in 2000. The equivalent figures in 2002, 2003 and 2004 were 3,574, 3,580 and 4,074 respectively. A redeployment of staff...