Results 3,361-3,380 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: While I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a CAB-style cross-Border agency, I am satisfied the existing co-operative arrangements are effective. Advancing any new proposal would require detailed negotiation and, as the Deputy noted, engagement with the British Government, which has responsibility for some of the agencies involved and would have to be a party to conclude any...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I spent a day on the Border last week in Counties Fermanagh and Cavan. I acknowledge the advice and public contributions of Members such as Deputies Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth, and my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, as well as the challenge of Border policing. I reiterate the excellent level of ongoing co-operation between An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the new Garda operating model, announced last month by the Garda Commissioner, has been long recommended by independent policing specialists, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and in the expert Commission on the Future of Policing report published last year. I very much welcome and support the roll-out by the Commissioner, Drew Harris,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I hope I was mistaken when I heard Deputy McGrath on his local radio station last week say that the people of Tipperary and his constituents would have to go to Ennis to report crime.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Nothing could be further from the truth. Garda stations in Tipperary will continue to be supported, augmented and strengthened as a result of this plan. An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. There are 14,200 gardaí nationwide supported by over 2,700 Garda staff. Since the reopening of the Garda training college in Templemore, in the Deputy's constituency,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will use the example which the Deputy has repeatedly referred to in the House and beyond, since the Garda Commissioner announced the new model. Under the new model the existing Tipperary and Clare divisions will be merged and will form part of the new southern region. The Commissioner has decided that the divisional HQ will be in Ennis, County Clare. This is an operational issue. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The record allocation to the Garda Vote will continue into the future. I have every confidence in the Garda Commissioner and his team to ensure the best use of the funding allocated. The new model means more sergeants and inspectors in communities. It means less bureaucracy and duplication at senior Garda level. It means more decision-making powers at local level. It means a greater...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There are many positive aspects to the report. I am not surprised, nor would I expect anything from Deputy O'Callaghan other than that he would concentrate on the negative aspects. I accept what he says in so far as the report clearly identifies that reoffending is highest among those originally sentenced in respect of robbery and burglary. Rates of recidivism within three years was 72.3%...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There are a number of programmes and I acknowledge the work of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, who is sitting beside me. He is working actively on a new youth justice strategy. I want to mention the success of the community return programme and the community support programme. In particular, in respect of youth crime, I acknowledge the importance of the Garda youth...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the roll-out of the new operating model of An Garda Síochána, announced last month by the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris. It meets a key commitment in the implementation plan, following publication last year of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. This model has been long recommended by independent policing specialists,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy asked me two questions, one of which was on headquarters. I assure the House the regional headquarters have been decided by the Garda Commissioner and his team having regard to a number of factors, including population, geography, projected growth, crime trends and the workload in various streams. The Deputy also asked whether I have confidence in the new plan. I very much do...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for the question.  Public safety is an absolute priority for me as Minister for Justice and Equality.  Working to reduce reoffending and minimising the risk of further harm to victims and society through the implementation of an effective and evidence-based penal policy is a key part of that task. I welcome the CSO's publication of last...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Last year saw the lowest number of fatalities ever recorded on Irish roads and this year Ireland received the European Transport Safety Council’s prestigious Road Safety Performance Index award, in recognition of the considerable progress made in terms of road safety. It should be noted that Ireland was the second safest EU member state in terms of road deaths...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for her question.  I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that working to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour is a key priority for An Garda Síochána. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour. Garda visibility is a key...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penalty Points System (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I regularly meet my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, to discuss road safety matters, in particular at the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety which met most recently last month. Minister Ross and I co-chair that Committee, which is made up of all the major stakeholders involved in road safety, including the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law Review (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am familiar with the Review of the Criminalisation of Paying for Sexual Services in Northern Ireland carried out by Queen's University Belfast and published on 18th September.  That review was commissioned under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act 2015 which introduced the offence of paying for sexual services. In this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The murder of ten innocent workmen at Kingsmill in January 1976 was an appalling atrocity and the Irish Government is committed to co-operating fully and in accordance with law with the Northern Ireland Coroner’s Inquest into the Kingsmill murders.  In line with this commitment, a substantial amount of relevant evidential material in the possession of An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the management and efficient use of resources, having regard to operational need.   The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, policing in the border region has always presented particular challenges and these necessitate a collaborative approach to policing between law enforcement agencies north and south of the border. I am pleased to say that cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI has never been closer.  As Deputies are aware, the importance of this ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Last week I attended the 17th Cross Border Conference on Organised Crime in Co. Cavan together with the Garda Commissioner, the Chief Constable of the PSNI, senior officers from all the agencies and senior officials from Department of Justice Northern Ireland and my own Department.  This is an annual event, aimed at enhancing understanding and cooperation between law enforcement...