Results 18,261-18,280 of 18,761 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: Section 2 defines a director as including any person occupying the position of director, by whatever name called, any person who effectively directs or has a material influence over the business of the body corporate, any person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the body corporate are accustomed to act, unless the directors are accustomed so to act only on...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I have not changed my mind since the earlier debate in this House on the subject. The position in respect of the involvement of gardaí and members of the Defence Forces in providing security services is as follows. In regard to the Garda, any such off-duty activity is already prohibited. Garda Síochána discipline regulations define prohibited spare time activity as including, among other...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: We now have a European Convention on Human Rights law which requires every State agency to carry out its activities in a manner compatible with the convention. However, before there ever was a European Convention on Human Rights, there was an obligation under Irish law for everyone to comply with the constitutional values and for every organ of the State to discharge its functions in a manner...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: On my own behalf and on behalf of my officials, who have dealt with this matter so efficiently, I thank Members for their kind words. The Bill has been a long time coming. It arises out of a 1997 report and was first published in 2001. Since becoming Minister I have regarded its passage as a priority, although it may seem otherwise. It is not simply that this sector needs regulation. There is...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I thank the Senator for providing me with the opportunity to outline to the House the position relating to post-primary provision in the Lucan area. At the outset it must be made clear that the educational infrastructural needs of the Adamstown strategic development zone, as it develops over time, are separate and distinct from those of the Lucan area and cannot alleviate any current...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am not in a position to respond, except to deny that the Department of Education and Science is bureaucratic. It seems from the figures I have imparted to the Senator during this debate that the contrary is the case. The Department is well aware of the problems and is providing for them in a sustained way. However, it cannot throw up buildings and create schools without looking to the...

Seanad: Training Centre Closure. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am grateful to Senator Bannon for raising this matter. I am replying on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, who has responsibility in this area. The Department of Education and Science and Longford Vocational Education Committee provide core funding for St. Mel's training centre in Longford. The project in question is also supported by FÁS under the community employment...

Seanad: Training Centre Closure. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: ——have suggested that this was a type of pre-election stunt on my part. That is far from the case. It will proceed. All the naysayers and back stabbers who believe I have an illicit motive in announcing the commencement of that work will see in the next couple of weeks that I am correct and that the project is proceeding. That is also the case with the Prison Service facility in Longford,...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: The definitions of various kinds of security service in section 2, for example, door supervisor, security guard and the like, are confined to those who provide the service for remuneration. That term was specifically included in the definition in order to exempt from the licensing requirement volunteers who might be helping out with security duties at a local show or festival, or perhaps...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: I can undertake to the Senator that, in addition to my views, I will draw to the attention of the authority the views of the House. It would be wrong to allow people to operate these services while consuming alcohol and doubly wrong for a person for whom such a service is being provided to give alcohol to security staff.

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Government's policy is that at least 40% of State board members should be women and at least 40% should be men. There is no disagreement on that issue in terms of policy. The question we need to ask is if the present policy of the Government should be incorporated in rigid formula in any particular statute. In this case, we are dealing with a small authority of ten members plus a staff...

Seanad: Private Security Services Bill 2001: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2004)

Michael McDowell: The section deals with an important function of the proposed authority, that is, investigation of security services on its own initiative. Subsection (4) of the Bill provides that if a person does not comply or comply fully with the request by the authority, the authority may apply to the District Court for an order requiring compliance by the person concerned within a specified period....

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am unaware of any visa application from the person concerned. The person had permission to remain in the State on the basis that she was attending an English language school. This permission expired on 6 January 2004. I am informed that she recently called to the registration office of the Garda National Immigration Bureau requesting that her permission to remain be renewed on the basis...

Written Answers — Land Transfers: Land Transfers (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: I am informed by the registrar of titles that this is an application for transfer of part which was lodged on 9 October 2003. I am further informed that this application is associated with an application for cessor of limited ownership which was also lodged on 9 October 2003. I am also informed that queries issued to the lodging solicitors on 26 March 2004 and that the applications cannot...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is developing child care provision under the national development plan through the provision of over €437 million, from Government and EU sources, for child care under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 — 2006, EOCP. To date we have allocated over €250 million which will lead to the creation of over 28,000 new child care places....

Written Answers — European Security: European Security (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: An extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council took place in Brussels on Friday, 19 March 2004. I convened the extraordinary Council so that the EU and member states could consider how best to respond to the atrocity in Madrid on 11 March 2004 and to the growing terrorist threat which we are all facing. The sole item for discussion on the agenda of the Council was the fight...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (30 Mar 2004)

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 30 October 2002. The average processing time for applications for naturalisation is 15 to 18 months at the present time. I understand that processing of the application of the person concerned is almost finalised. I am informed that officials...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: As I have indicated in my replies to previous parliamentary questions, the site in question is currently the subject of litigation and in the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to make further comment. Matters relating to the current lease arrangement are appropriate to the Office of the Public Works.

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, operates under the aegis of my Department and is responsible for the provision of accommodation and services to asylum seekers under the system of direct provision. Persons from approximately 120 different nationalities are resident in centres operated by the RIA which encourages the establishment of support groups to assist asylum seekers to adjust...

Written Answers — Judicial Appointments: Judicial Appointments (30 Mar 2004)

Michael McDowell: The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established pursuant to the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. The purpose of the board is to identify persons and inform the Government of the suitability of those persons for judicial office. Section 16 of the Act requires the Government, when advising the President on the appointment of a person to a judicial office, to first consider persons...