Results 16,901-16,920 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: My Department has recently been in correspondence with the refugee regarding documentation submitted in support of the application. On receipt of a response from the person in question, the application will be further considered.

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, a key service required by women who have been victims of a sexual assault is medical treatment and counselling and these are the responsibility of the relevant health board. The services for which my Department has responsibility relate mainly to the civil and criminal justice systems. I can assure the Deputy that any sexual assault reported to the Garda...

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, that is, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 10 April 2002 — dealing No. D2002GY003490D refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Commissioners of Public Works, acting on behalf of the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, purchased Broc House in June 2000, for the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers. Following the purchase, judicial review proceedings were initiated against the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: In my reply to Question No. 320 of 14 December 2004 to the Deputy I outlined the reasons for the refusal of the visa application in question and the subsequent refusal on appeal. The onus is on the applicant to provide sufficient documentation to enable both the initial application and, where applicable, an appeal to be examined fully and in this case it was deemed that the evidence provided...

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested is not readily available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources which could not be justified in the circumstances.

Written Answers — Joyriding Offences: Joyriding Offences (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, so called 'joyriding' is a complex problem which, while requiring significant inputs from the criminal justice system, can only be tackled to lasting effect through a multi-faceted and multi-agency response involving both the community and relevant statutory bodies. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the current policing strategies for...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for permission to remain in the State based on marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned in June 2004. Applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order and currently take approximately 16 months to process. I understand the person is question is the parent of an Irish-born child and therefore may also be entitled to claim residency...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows: Appointed to Name Date of Appointment National Disability Authority Mr. James Martin 21 October, 2004 Equality Authority Ms. Sally Ann Kinahan 7 October, 2004 Refugee Appeals Tribunal Mr. Declan McHugh BL 10 October, 2004* Ms Judy Blake BL 20 October, 2004 Mr. Sean Deegan BL 20 December, 2004 Mr. Noel...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that there are 34 Garda stations within the Wexford-Wicklow division. The six Garda stations in the above division are open to the public on a 24 hour basis are Wexford, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Gorey, Arklow and Wicklow. The remaining 28 Garda stations open on...

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The 45 persons referred to by the Deputy were arrested following an operation by local Garda management to target individuals who were suspected of throwing packages over the perimeter walls of Mountjoy prison and the conveyance of drugs by visitors into the prison. The persons concerned were arrested outside the prison. Three persons have been charged under section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets Bureau: Criminal Assets Bureau (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that most Criminal Asset Bureau actions relate to assets suspected to derive from drug trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, fraud, corruption, receiving stolen property and tax fraud. Data on such actions cannot be neatly categorised in terms of area of criminal activity because usually there are overlaps. Statistics on moneys seized or collected...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I presume the Deputy's question refers to the arrangements which I announced on 24 January 2005 and which came into operation on 25 January 2005, for the speedier processing of asylum applications in respect of nationals of five states which are the subject of prioritisation orders made by me under section 12 of the Refugee Act 1996, as inserted by the Immigration Act 2003. The new...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I occasionally meet my British colleague at Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings, during which we have discussions at the margins of the meeting. There are also regular meetings between senior officials of my Department and Home Office officials in order to exchange information on issues of mutual interest and policy developments. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who is...

Written Answers — Crime levels: Crime levels (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: While accurate figures relating to rates of recidivism in the prisoner population are not yet available, the computerisation of prisoner records from 2001 will in future provide a more detailed view of a prisoner's past committal history. The director general of the prison service recently commissioned a major three year research project on this topic which, it is expected, will present an...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to section C of the Government legislative programme which was published by my colleague, Deputy Kitt, the Government Chief Whip, on 25 January last. In line with that programme, I expect to publish later this year an immigration and residence Bill which will replace existing immigration law and provide a statutory framework for the development and implementation of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: A number of significant changes to the Irish prison system are in the process of being introduced. The Deputy will be aware of my position regarding the elimination of the unsustainable burden of chronic overtime in the prison service with a view to delivering a more efficient and cost effective service. My proposal involves the implementation of a programme of detailed staffing and work...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The measures undertaken by the Garda Síochána to address drug trafficking and distribution centre around the issues of strategy, structures and resources. At a strategic level, the Garda Síochána is committed to rigorous enforcement of the laws on drug misuse. Each division is required to produce a divisional drug policing plan which contributes to the overall goals of the national plan,...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: The Garda Síochána is undergoing the most far reaching programme of reform in its history. The Garda Síochána Bill will comprehensively modernise the law governing the force. It will set out the role and objectives of the force and clarify its relationship with the Minister and Government of the day. There will be provision for the setting of policing priorities and the establishment of...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Feb 2005)

Michael McDowell: Ireland has established and effective protections which provide for and promote equality in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services on nine discriminatory grounds. These grounds are gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. The legislation underpinning this framework is the Employment...