Results 16,681-16,700 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, applications for refugee status are determined by an independent process comprising the office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT, which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. Two types of processing caseloads exist in the ORAC and the RAT,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The numbers of applications for asylum received and determinations made for each of the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 is as in the table. Year 2002 2003 2004 No. of applications 11,634 7,900 4,766 Total recommendations made at first instance (ORAC) 8,360 8,192 6,890 Total appeals completed (RAT) 5,544 5,045 6,520 *Figures refer to the year in which the recommendation or...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on immigration matters, including matters relating to readmission, was signed in Abuja on 29 August 2001. This agreement was subsequently ratified by the Irish Government. Although the process of ratification is still ongoing on the Nigerian side, its authorities are operating the spirit of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy regarding Garda stations in County Meath is set out in the table. Station PULSE Terminal Ashbourne Yes Athboy Ballivor Crosskeel Duleek Dunboyne Dunshaughlin Enfield Kells Yes Kilmessan Laytown Navan Yes Nobber Oldcastle Slane Summerhill Trim Yes Under the current level of coverage, 85% of all...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy regarding Garda stations in County Kildare is set out in the table. Station PULSE Equipment Athy Yes Ballymore Eustace Ballytore Carbury Castledermot Celbridge Yes Clane Kilcullen Kildare Yes Kill Kilcock Maynooth Monasterevin Naas Yes Newbridge Yes Rathangan Robertstown Leixlip Under the current...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 16 October 2002 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 25 May 2004 that the...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The records indicate that the person referred to by the Deputy has permission to remain in the State based on his parentage of an Irish born child. This permission is valid until 16 October 2006.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 26 February 1997 and applied for asylum. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the asylum division and, on appeal, by the appeals authority. Subsequently, he was informed by letter dated 30 March 1999 that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was for the purposes of allowing a non-EEA national travel to the State for business purposes. In assessing any visa application, the visa officer will consider various matters, including whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to conclude that the applicant would fully honour the conditions of the visa, for example, it is unlikely that...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: What else do I do?

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I introduced an amendment in the Seanad on Tuesday to provide for oversight.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is in the Criminal Justice (Terrorism) Bill in the Seanad.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Does the Deputy think there is a problem with people getting off an aeroplane from somewhere else outside the country?

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Were not we lucky?

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I tried to cover that point in section 33. Perhaps it needs to be strengthened.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Grangegorman.

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to open this debate on the Garda Síochána Bill 2004. As I stated previously, it contains the most important legislative proposals on policing ever to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill is comprehensive in that it will replace, with only a couple of exceptions, all of the Garda Síochána...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: While the establishment of policing committees has been broadly welcomed there was much debate about the provisions in the Bill as initiated on Committee Stage in the Seanad. This transcended political lines and party ideologies. The key points raised were primacy at local level of elected representatives and town councillors who had a mandate, the involvement of Members of the Seanad and the...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I made a change on Committee Stage in the Seanad to allow a declarant to omit the reference to the deity from the declaration if he or she wishes to do so. Provision is made in the Bill for the appointment of properly trained volunteer members to the Garda Síochána in the future. This provision attracted much comment during the debates in the Seanad. As I stated last week, this is entirely...

Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (10 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Deputy must be joking.