Results 17,261-17,280 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

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...

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

Michael McDowell: All Garda accommodation is kept under review by the Garda authorities. Although there are no plans at present to refurbish Coolock Garda station, the Garda housing officer is due to visit the station with a view to determining the future accommodation requirements there.

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

Michael McDowell: I refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 428 of 17 November 2004. In 2001 the Government approved an extensive programme of civilianisation to be introduced on a phased basis over a number of years. The programme provided for the civilianisation of a number of technical and administrative posts in the short, medium and long term, the transfer of the finance function from Garda...

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

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the personnel strength of the drug squad unit in the Dublin north-east area as at 22 November 2004 was 26, all ranks. I am very pleased to say that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with...

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

Michael McDowell: The enforcement of motor tax offences is the responsibility of the Garda Síochána. The checking of vehicles for motor tax is not a stand alone function of the Garda Síochána but is carried out whilse checking vehicles and drivers for other violations of road traffic and transport law, such as driving licence, insurance, drink driving, seat belt wearing, illegal haulage, tachograph and...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda college currently has a capacity to induct a maximum of 640 trainees per annum. Accommodation is provided for trainees at the Garda college and externally by the operation of the student living out programme, which may be extended as the need arises. 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...

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

Michael McDowell: Some 305 staff relocated from my Department's headquarters at 72-76 St. Stephen's Green in late 2003 to alternative accommodation at 94 St. Stephen's Green, Block C, Ardilaun House on St. Stephen's Green and the Old Faculty Building on Shelbourne Road in Ballsbridge. Some of this accommodation was already under lease by the Office of Public Works. This includes one floor at 94 St. Stephen's...

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

Michael McDowell: The Garda authorities are not in a position to quantify the amount of time spent answering false alarms. The Garda authorities have conducted a review of policy on this matter and I am advised that they are now in discussion with the security industry on revised arrangements. Agreement on revised arrangements should have a significant effect in reducing the number of false alarms.

Written Answers — Film Censorship: Film Censorship (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Office of Film Censor was created by the Censorship of Films Act 1923. The film censor is appointed to undertake the functions provided for in this and subsequent legislation, including the Video Recordings Act 1989. As the film censor is independent in the exercise of his official functions, it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in individual cases. Section 8 of the Censorship of...

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

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy has not provided details of a particular case, I will set out the general position. The acquisition of Irish citizenship through the naturalisation process is a privilege, rather than a right. The discretionary nature of the naturalisation process is in keeping with international practice. It is not the case, therefore, that a person who is resident here has a right to...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: A total of 71 persons were returned to Romania and Moldova on a chartered aircraft on the night of 16 November 2004 in an operation carried out by the Garda national immigration bureau. Some 47 adults and ten minors were brought to Romania and 14 adults were brought to Moldova. In addition to the 71 persons removed, an Irish-born child was taken back to Romania by her mother, who indicated...

Written Answers — Garda Síochána Band: Garda Síochána Band (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: It has not been possible to compile the detailed information requested by the Deputy in the time available for answering parliamentary questions. The information is being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy shortly.

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

Michael McDowell: On 19 November 2002, the Government noted my proposal to authorise the introduction of three "less than lethal" devices for use by the Garda emergency response unit when it is necessary to avoid the use of firearms. The use of "less than lethal" devices is restricted to the unit. Guidelines on the use of authorised less lethal weapons by the Garda are constantly under review to reflect...

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

Michael McDowell: Some 15,015 applications for naturalisation were received from 1997 until the end of October 2004, of which 10,603 were received after 1 January 2002. Certificates were issued in 6,422 cases, or 42.77% of all cases and 1,075 applications, or 7.16% of the total, were refused in the same period. Some 7,518 applications, or 50.07% of the total, were outstanding at the end of October 2004. It...

Written Answers — Prisons Inspectorate: Prisons Inspectorate (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: Under his terms of reference, the Inspector of Prisons and Places of Detention is required to submit a written report on his activities to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform each year. I arranged for the publication of the first annual report of the inspector, which was provided in 2003. The inspector submitted his second annual report to my office in May 2004. The second...

Written Answers — Prisoner Complaints Procedures: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Irish Prison Service does not use solitary confinement, although there is provision in the prison rules for the use of close confinement. I am not aware of any such other claims by former prisoners.

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (23 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 to 409, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to the answers provided to Questions Nos. 228 and 299 of 16 November 2004, which are relevant to the matter in hand. I said on that date that a small cohort of prison staff is assigned to duties at the Curragh and Fort Mitchel for security reasons and because of the need to carry out essential maintenance. I...

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

Michael McDowell: The compilation of the information requested by the Deputy took longer than originally anticipated. The delay in dealing with this matter is regretted. The information is as follows: Title of Report Reason Publication has not taken place Policy Research Relating to Victim Support Organisation Not intended for publication Two confidential reports on the security of the Department's...

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (16 Nov 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 227, inclusive, and 239 together. The figures in the following table show the number of non-national parents of Irish born children deported since the Supreme Court decision in the L&O case in January 2003. The figures do not distinguish whether one or both parents were non-EU nationals, as such separate statistics are not maintained. Month Year...