Results 17,241-17,260 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Drugs in Prison: Drugs in Prison (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Preparation of a drugs policy for the Irish Prison Service is at an advanced stage and I expect to publish it early next year. The new policy will facilitate consistent regulation and operational structure in pursuing both supply and demand reduction.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The purpose of the drug offenders Bill as set out in the Government legislative programme, is to provide for the registration of convicted drug dealers with the gardaí and to provide for stiffer penalties for persons involved in the supply of drugs to a prisoner in accordance with the commitments in An Agreed Programme for Government. Work on preparation of the Bill is at a preliminary stage...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is the lead Department in tackling the problem of drug abuse as it co-ordinates the implementation of the National Drug Strategy across the four pillars of supply reduction, treatment, education-prevention and research. My Department and its associated agencies are mainly concerned with supply reduction. In that context, I am informed...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Road traffic legislation is the responsibility of the Minister for Transport. The influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern. However, identification of the presence of drugs is more complex than for alcohol. It is illegal in Ireland to drive while under the influence of drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle. Section...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by officials in the citizenship section of my Department that the processing of the application for naturalisation from the person concerned has now been completed and that it is due to be forwarded to me for a decision in the coming weeks. I will inform the Deputy and the person concerned as soon as I have reached a decision in this case.

Written Answers — Refugee Status: Refugee Status (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is not the practice to comment in detail on individual asylum applications. Applications are processed in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended and in particular having due regard to the definition of a "refugee" in section 2 of that Act which states that a refugee is a person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion,...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy will be aware, processing of asylum applications in Ireland is carried out within an independent statutory framework as set out in the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. This Act provides for an investigation at first instance by the independent Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and any subsequent appeals by the independent Refugee Appeals Tribunal, RAT. The...

Written Answers — Garda Disciplinary Proceedings: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The circumstances surrounding the events of the demonstration in Dublin on 6 May 2002 were investigated by the Garda Síochána and as a result of that investigation, a file containing certain recommendations was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his directions. Prosecutions were instigated in a number of cases and while some cases have been dealt with by the courts others...

Written Answers — Alcohol Promotions: Alcohol Promotions (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The position is that section 20 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 prohibits the supply of intoxicating liquor at a reduced price during a limited period on any day. It is intended to discourage practices which may lead to excessive consumption of intoxicating liquor, such as "happy hours" and it came into operation on 18 August 2003. For the purposes of section 20, "reduced price" is...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I expect that the Deputy will by now have received my recent response to him on the matter he has raised.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Population statistics do not correlate to Garda sub-district boundaries. Following each census of population the Central Statistics Office, on completing its analysis, supplies the Garda Síochána with population figures for each Garda division and district only. The 1996 data is the most recent available, as the breakdown from the 2002 census has not yet been supplied. However, in...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I intend to furnish a reply to the correspondence in question in the near future.

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (23 Nov 2004)

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) of the Registration of Title Act 1964, which was lodged on 4 August, 2004 — dealing No. D2004SM006422R refers. Due to their complicated nature, applications under section 49, which require detailed examination of claims for registration as owners, can...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have no plans, at this time, to officially open the Garda station at the location referred to by the Deputy, which has been completed and is occupied. I am informed by the Garda authorities that their intention is to provide a PULSE connection to the station in the new year.

Written Answers — Communications Masts: Communications Masts (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, they do not intend to carry out a survey of the electromagnetic field strength of the mast at the station referred to by the Deputy. In my reply to the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 4 November 2004, I outlined the approach being adopted generally by the Garda Síochána to the measurement of the electromagnetic field strengths on...

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is aware of the current problems in the Montpelier Hill — Arbour Hill — Benburb Street area. The Montpelier Hill area and surrounding streets are the subject of regular foot and mobile patrols by both uniformed and plain clothes gardaí. Two gardaí are employed full time in dealing with prostitution in the area concerned....

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The visa in question was approved by my Department on 18 November 2004.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The number of prosecutions for non-tax or insurance in which proceedings commenced in 2003 is as follows: No road tax 16,451 No Insurance 30,430 Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2003, the number of vehicles seized under the provisions of section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 is 9,800.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The number of vehicles in the Garda stations referred to by the Deputy is as follows: Station Make and Model Raheny Fiat Punto (1) Renault Megane 1.6 (1) Toyota Corolla 1.4 (1) Toyota Avensis (1) Ford Transit (1) Ford Mondeo 2.0 (1) Coolock Toyota Corolla 1.4 (5) Ford Transit (2) Ford Mondeo 2.0 (1) Howth Kawasaki GT 550 (1) Ford Focus 1.4 (1) Ford...

Written Answers — Probation and Welfare Service: Probation and Welfare Service (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The probation office in Donaghmede opened to its clients at the end of March 2004. Since then it has seen an average of 58 clients every month. The offices accommodate two teams of 12 probation and welfare officers, two senior probation and welfare officers and two clerical officers. One team covers the local catchment area while another specifically deals with referrals under the Children...