Results 5,161-5,180 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We will deal with that when we come to it. The motions this morning are quite specific and we are not going beyond them. There is no proposal, nor indeed should there be any inference, that Ireland would participate further in any interoperability arrangement. Should the issue arise in the future it will be subject to debate and that debate will involve an approval by the majority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to make it clear that we are not involved in the decision-making process regarding the exercise of an opt-in to the interoperability police proposal. Ireland has not exercised its opt-in under Protocol No. 21 nor indeed is there a proposal in that regard. Were that to occur, it would be subject to our obligations, which would involve a debate here in the national Parliament.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We were obliged to give consideration to the new recast framework, which differs from the previous arrangement. In terms of ensuring that we assist in police co-operation it is necessary now to engage at this enhanced level.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: One of the objectives in developing the system is to ensure that there is an element of integration with the PULSE system and, for example, the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB. In the event of a search taking place within this jurisdiction, the same search will also be carried out and take effect on the Schengen information system. It is a dovetailing of the information here at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Regulations: Minister for Justice and Equality (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am satisfied, as far as the European data protection regime is concerned, with particular reference to the role of the supervisor, but I would perhaps prefer to hear from our Data Protection Commissioner on this issue. As I mentioned earlier, there is a significant role for our Data Protection Commissioner in the context of the European Data Protection Supervisor. I believe it is...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to present to the select committee the Further Revised Estimate for 2019 for the Justice group of Votes. I am joined by my officials, Mr. Donnchadh O'Sullivan, Mr. Michael Culhane, Mr. Seamus Clifford, Ms Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Ms Elizabeth Downey. The Justice group of Votes is made up of six Votes, with a combined gross expenditure...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chairman. He is quite right.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Ó Laoghaire raised the very important issue of Garda overtime. Deputies will be aware that the management and allocation of the Garda overtime budget is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. It is an important issue and one which is always the subject of debate in the Oireachtas, and perhaps rightly so. There will always be a need for a certain level of overtime. The...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: On the query about the civilian staff in An Garda Síochána, redeployment to date is in the order of 260. This year it is the intention of the Garda Commissioner to redeploy a further 500. The Commissioner is confident this will take place in the course of the calendar year. Recruitment of expertise is ongoing, especially in the area of ICT specialists, financial accounting...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, is the answer to that question. This is a priority of mine and one I engage on regularly with Garda management. Members may be unaware of significant progress as far as these issues are concerned. Ten units have been established to date across nine Garda divisions. Three were established last year in the west Dublin, Louth and Cork City divisions. A further six units were...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much assure this committee that there was no foundation to the comments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. He stated as much when he withdrew his comments in their entirety. I was in agreement with the public commentary of Deputy O'Callaghan and other members of this committee. We enact legislation as a collective in the Oireachtas. It is incumbent on all...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy has referred to the need for more staff and better infrastructure. I point to the ongoing improvements since we last considered the Estimate for the prisons Vote. For example, in Portlaoise Prison there is a new unit, especially for violent prisoners. We have also been working to ensure prisoners subject to a regime of solitary confinement receive an appropriate level of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the importance of the point Deputy Chambers has made. I believe the Irish Prison Service, in conjunction with the private sector and with some public sector agencies, is always looking to what might be regarded as best practice in terms of ensuring the provision of aftercare for prisoners and that before they are released from prison, they are encouraged to engage in possible...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am not really sure about the proposition in the UK, to which Deputy Chambers refers. In terms of prison policy, I would not be looking to the UK in terms of best practice in prisons. I take on board what the Deputy said in terms of the provision of in-service programmes, be they in the areas of health and education. There are many programmes in our prison service. I point to the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to do so.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am very keen that positive progress be reported on the Hammond Lane venture. I acknowledge there are particular challenges in the administration of family law in our courts, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in terms of management. On the matter of infrastructure, I have a sum of money available to the order of €80 million. We have a vacant site. There are ongoing...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of the role of the Inspector of Prisons. In particular, I welcome the appointment of the new inspector, Ms Patricia Gilheaney. I am concerned to ensure that her office is in a position to run effectively and efficiently. In fact, I intend meeting her in the next couple of weeks in order to discuss many of the issues that have been raised here. On the matter...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am not sure whether the Deputy has borne in mind the €172,000 provided for the office in the Supplementary Estimate.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have a specific figure, but I do know that the report we received takes account of the inspector engaging on OPCAT