Results 17,781-17,800 of 18,736 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: It is standard practice for the views of my Department to be sought as to suitability in respect of certain public service appointments. My Department makes a decision as to whether opposition is to be expressed to the prospective appointment on the basis of information received from the Garda Síochána. Each case is given careful consideration and is judged on its own merits. It is not the...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: A pass mark of 70% is required from all candidates in the public service knowledge test which is set and administered by the Garda carriage office. There are no proposals to change this requirement.

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána and as such I have no role in it. However, I have made inquiries and I am informed by the Garda authorities that the payment of the fixed charge notice by cheque was received on 21 November, 2003. The Garda fixed penalty office retained the cheque for 14 days to allow payment to clear. I understand that once the...

Written Answers — Fógraíocht Ranna: Fógraíocht Ranna (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 343 go dtí 345 le chéile. Is féidir liom a chur in iúl don Teachta gur gnólacht fógraíochta a theachtann an conradh Rialtais d'idirbhearta den chineál sin a chuireann fógraí sna nuachtáin thar ceann mo Roinne. I dtaca leis seo de, tá curtha in iúl dom, i gcás go raibh fógraí á gcur i nuachtán Gaeilge, gur roghnaíodh an foilseachán Foinse mar...

Written Answers — Family Law: Family Law (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am aware of the case that has been advanced for establishing a register of the type referred to by the Deputy. The full implications of doing so are being examined in my Department in the context of a family law Bill which is being prepared. Accordingly, it would be premature to reach a definitive conclusion on the matter now.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that the visa applications in question were approved on appeal on 20 May 2004.

Written Answers — Community Policing: Community Policing (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are aware of the reports regarding incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area in question. I am further informed that the area will continue to receive particular Garda attention from both the community police unit and mobile patrols. I am assured by local Garda management that the person concerned will receive advice, support and...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The person in question made an application for a study visa in December 2003. The application was refused because it had not been established, on the basis of the documentation supplied to my Department, that the applicant would observe the conditions of the visa. In particular, it was felt that the applicant had not displayed sufficient evidence of her obligations to return home following...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The visa applications in question relate to a six year old and 12 year old minor non-EEA nationals and were for the purpose of visiting the mother resident in the State. Both visa applications were refused as it had not been established that the children's father had consented to them travelling to the State. There were also some inconsistencies noted in the information supplied in support of...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I made inquiries to the Garda authorities and I understand that they are not aware that the development referred to by the Deputy adjacent to Fr. Collins Park, Donaghmede, includes the provision of a Garda station.

Written Answers — Closed Circuit Television Systems: Closed Circuit Television Systems (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda research unit carried out an internal evaluation of the CCTV systems in Dublin and Tralee in 1999. While the evaluation identified potential benefits of CCTV such as reduced crime and disorder, increased detentions, improved public feelings of safety, more effective deployment of police resources and improved court processing of guilty...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they have for a number of years maintained a good relationship with the gay community and are in regular contact with those who represent the gay perspective on a variety of issues. I have been further informed that 14 Garda have received special familiarisation training and were appointed as liaison officers to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I regret that my Department has no funds from which it can assist in the matter referred to by the Deputy. The body in question might wish to explore funding possibilities with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and with the family support agency.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I do not consider that it would be in the public interest at this stage to go beyond what I have already said publicly about this matter.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The visa application to which the Deputy refers was made in December 2002. It was refused as it was not established on the basis of the documentation supplied that the applicant, a then 26 year old male, would observe the conditions of the visa. In particular, it was considered that the applicant had not displayed evidence of any obligations to return home following his proposed visit. The...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that their investigations into this matter have been completed and a file forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. I understand that the Garda authorities are awaiting directions in this case.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I understand from inquiries I have made that an application from this group for a substantial capital grant of more than €2.6 million was submitted in February 2003. All large-scale capital projects such as the application referred to by the Deputy are referred by ADM Limited to an independent external building specialist to assess the suitability of the proposal and its value for money....

Written Answers — Firearms Offences: Firearms Offences (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together. I refer the Deputy to my recent reply to Question No. 30 of 5 May 2004 on this matter. The position remains unchanged. I am examining proposals on a firearms amnesty and I will revert to the House in due course.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: The reception and integration agency, RIA, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is responsible for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers. The RIA has advised me that it is accommodating approximately 180 persons in total from the ten new EU member states. The position on the cohort of nationals of the ten new EU member states is...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 May 2004)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 366, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Refugee Act 1996, two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications and appeals on refugee status and to make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status such be granted to asylum applicants. These two offices are...