Results 16,821-16,840 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned arrived in the State on 3 February 2003 and applied for a declaration as a refugee. Her application was refused following consideration of her 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, she was informed by letter dated 14...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned was declared a refugee in December 2002 and this position was communicated in writing at that time. The person concerned was advised to register at the Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 at which time she would have been given a registration card. Such registration must be renewed on a periodic basis. This person's registration now appears to have lapsed. As...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Records held by my Department indicate that the name and address supplied relate to a person who was granted permission to reside in the State based on parentage of an Irish born child on 18 July 2002. Her current period of residency is not due to expire until 1 July 2005. However, the reference number relates to a visa application lodged in late 2002 for a minor of the same name which was...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is open to the person concerned to make an application for residency in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish-born child born prior to 1 January 2005. The details of the revised arrangements for the consideration of applications for permission to remain in the State made by the non-national parents of Irish-born children born before 1 January 2005 were publicly announced on 15...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The position is that the person concerned arrived in the State on 22 October 2001 and claimed asylum. His application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and he was notified of this recommendation by letter of 30 July 2002. His subsequent appeal was refused by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and he was notified of this recommendation by letter of 29...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person concerned should write to the immigration division of my Department at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 providing full details and documentation to support his application. On receipt of same a decision will be made in his case.

Written Answers — Deeds of Bravery: Deeds of Bravery (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they have submitted correspondence to Comhairle na Mire Gaile, the Council for the Recognition of Deeds of Bravery, for the consideration of an appropriate award to the gardaí concerned. On 19 July 2004, Comhairle na Mire Gaile acknowledged receipt of the correspondence and undertook to prepare a submission to the council members at a...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Applications for certificates of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy were received in the citizenship section of my Department on 28 October 2003. The average processing time for such applications is currently 24 months. On the basis of the current average processing time, therefore, it is likely that the applications of the individuals concerned will be finalised around...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the visa application in question was approved on appeal on 1 February 2005. The applicant will be formally notified of this decision through the Irish mission in the country of origin.

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they have no stocks, nor did they ever have stocks, of the CR gas referred to in their possession at any stage in the past 30 years.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I announced details of new arrangements to deal with the outstanding claims to reside in the State on the basis of the parentage of an Irish-born child on 15 January 2005. Applications can be made on form IBC/05 which is available on the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform website at www.justice.ie. Hard copies of the form are available at the Department of Justice, Equality and...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: A total of 17 locations throughout the country, including Ballyfermot, are set to receive town centre CCTV systems. This expansion is being implemented on a phased basis as follows: phase 1 — Bray, Dundalk, Dún Laoghaire, Finglas, Galway and Limerick; phase 2 — Athlone, Clondalkin, Tallaght and Waterford; phase 3 — Ballyfermot, Carlow, Castlebar, Clonmel, Ennis, Kilkenny and Sligo. The...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I may get into trouble by saying this but at present there is a major controversy as to whether it is possible, right or appropriate for liberal democracies to engage in regime change to bring about liberal democracy, as we see it, in places where we say it does not exist. I do not want to get involved in that debate here. While Senator Tuffy advances the term "democratic", I must deal with...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I acknowledge that the Senator raises an interesting and important issue, namely, whether the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions to refer a case to the Special Criminal Court should be one with reasons attached to it. The purpose of giving reasons is obviously with a view in some way to testing the decision to find if it was proper or to challenge the reasoning given. This raises...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is my intention to introduce a further amendment on Report Stage. As the House is aware, it is the Government's intention to establish a second Special Criminal Court. That is being done with a view to ensuring that people awaiting trial would not face lengthy delays. The establishment of two such courts means that the trial of offences will be speeded up. It will no longer be a matter of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I think we are talking about two separate things. I am signalling to the House what I propose to do on Report Stage. I think Senator Cummins is asking me about the retention of communications data.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The purpose of this and subsequent amendments is to give a solid basis in Irish law to the retention of communication data and to protect people in a way that is not done at the moment. Information concerning the use made of communications services is an essential aid to the Garda Síochána in the fight against crime and in combating terrorism and, together with the Defence Forces, the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: They have been in place since 1993, a fairly long time.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Prior to that it was done by warrant under some postal Act of the late 19th century and a decision of the Court of Appeal or the House of Lords had interpreted the term "postal packet" as being broad enough to include a telephone call. That was some creative judging. It was on that flimsy basis that this kind of work was done until comparatively recently. In 1993 the Government introduced...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (3 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The content is not covered. This is purely data on the fact that a transaction has taken place through a telecommunications company.