Results 16,981-17,000 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Registrar of Titles that this is an application under section 49, acquisition of title by virtue of long possession, under the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 11 December 2003. Dealing Number D2003WS012236J refers. I understand that due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy is aware, 17 locations throughout the country, including Clondalkin, 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...

Written Answers — Drugs Seizures: Drugs Seizures (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the value of cocaine seizures made in each of the past ten years is as set out as follows. Seizures made by the Customs authorities are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. An Garda Síochána Cocaine Seizures. Year Value â'¬ 1994 4,672 1995 2,214,444 1996 65,214,360 1997 1,119,411 1998 33,843,103 1999...

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, CERD, on 29 December 2000 and the convention entered into force here on 28 January 2001. In line with Article 9 of the Convention, Ireland submitted its first report, which covers the legislative, judicial, administrative and other measures adopted to give effect to the provisions of the Convention,...

Written Answers — Prison Staff: Prison Staff (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am advised by the director general of the Irish Prison Service that 12 prison service staff reported unfit for duty due to work related stress in 2003. The corresponding figure for 2004 is 23 but this may be subject to a slight revision upwards pending reconciliation of year end returns. The director general will arrange for the final figures for 2004 to be forwarded directly to the Deputy...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the total number of Garda personnel — all ranks — who were absent on long-term sick leave suffering from stress during 2003 and 2004 was as follows: Year 2003 19 2004 30 Of those, the number confirmed as suffering from work-related stress was as follows: ...

Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence that any charity based in this jurisdiction is being used to facilitate the activities of terrorist organisations. I should add that Ireland is fully committed to implementing its international obligations in relation to terrorism and the financing of terrorism, as set out, inter alia, in a number of United Nations Security...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that a review of the investigation into the case of the missing person referred to is taking place at present and that the review is not completed yet. I also understand from the Garda authorities that Operation Trace is ongoing and any new matter coming to light is fully investigated by personnel from the national bureau of criminal investigations. The...

Written Answers — Garda Operations: Garda Operations (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 740 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to compile the information requested in the timeframe allowed. In effect the Deputy's questions require extensive research right across the Garda force and the application of Garda time and resources which are needed for other purposes. I will arrange for the information to be...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: At the outset I should say that I fully acknowledge that decisions in these matters should recognise the needs of persons coming to Ireland to work and be in accordance with the broad needs of the Irish economy, including the safeguarding of public resources. The general rule is that the grant of a visa is subject to the worker being able to support the family without recourse to public...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that to date no training courses have been transferred from the Garda college. As part of my proposal to increase the strength of the force to 14,000, in line with the Government's commitment set out in An Agreed Programme for Government, each quarter, for the next three years, around 274 recruits will be taken into the college, amounting to...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: By way of background, it should be noted that a visa is not itself a guarantee of entry into the State. It is instead only a form of pre-entry clearance issued in order to assist with the immigration process. The decision to grant or refuse permission to enter the State rests with the immigration officer at the port of entry. The dates specified on a visa refer only to the period during which...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in the citizenship section of my Department on 15 August, 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 application of the individual concerned will be finalised around...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The visa application in question was received in my Department on 22 December 2004. The application was examined and considered by a Visa Officer who took the decision to refuse a visa. This decision was forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs on 19 January 2005 and the applicant will be notified via the Irish Mission in their country of origin at the earliest possible opportunity.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 3 November 2004. I am aware of the various reports made in relation to the civilian-registered aircraft in question. The regulation of such aircraft is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, who has made inquiries in the matter and whose findings have been outlined to this House in replies to...

Written Answers — Peace Commissioners: Peace Commissioners (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The roll of Peace Commissioners is currently maintained by reference to Garda sub-district area, and not by local authority city or county. Consequently, Garda sub-district boundaries are not coterminous with local authority administrative area boundaries in the five cities and 29 counties identified in the Local Government Act 2001. There are 6,808 serving Peace Commissioners, of which 6,587...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person, a Cameroonian national, arrived in the State on 22 April 2003 and applied for asylum. 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. She is the parent of an Irish born child. Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, she was informed...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: The person in question arrived in the State on 1 August 2001 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 the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, he was informed by letter dated 22 October 2004, that it was proposed to...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (26 Jan 2005)

Michael McDowell: This Cameroonian couple arrived in the State on 19 January 2002 and 21 December 2001 respectively and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The couple are the parents of an Irish born child. Subsequently, in accordance with the Immigration...