Results 8,381-8,400 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I hope we will be able to make some progress on the 111 amendments tabled. Since we met last night I have had the opportunity to attend the Cabinet. I had the privilege of proposing to my Cabinet colleagues for consideration a number of nominees for judicial office.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I refer, in particular, to the three new members of the High Court-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: -----one new judge at the level of the Circuit Court and one appointment to the District Court. Lest there be any doubt - I have heard some doubts being expressed - I intend to bring forward further appointments to the courts, as required. I also intend to continue my engagement, on a formal basis, with the Association of Judges of Ireland and the Presidents of the courts.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I am also very keen to ensure the capital building plan will proceed at speed and with vigour. I look forward, in particular, to reporting progress on the very exciting Hammond Lane project which will see a separate division of family law courts within the courts structure. This is an issue I look forward to discussing with the Chief Justice at the earliest opportunity, either this week or next.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I hope we can all move forward in the spirit of progress, which is not something that I have gleaned over the past few hours here in the Seanad. I note an anxiety on the part of Senators, not to have progress made on this Bill, but I am in the hands of the Seanad and the Leader.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: Lest people think that because it is the last week of term, they can have some time off, I am available to sit here all night tonight, all day tomorrow and all night tomorrow night in order to ensure that progress is made.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I do detect, on the part of Senators, a keenness to frustrate this Bill-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: -----in order to ensure that it does not become law.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I am a mere servant of the Upper House and I commit myself to staying here for as long as it takes. I know that Senator Norris and others have made arrangements for this evening.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I hope the Senator brings the sun cream and the straw hat. I will be here with Senator Craughwell and others. I note the absence of Senator Boyhan but I am sure the Senators are doing a relief operation-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I am sure he will be back before the end of the proceedings, in fact there may be a keenness on behalf of his group members to make sure that he has an opportunity to make a contribution before the end of the week.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I will be here-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: Amendment-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: Irrespective of the status of this Bill at the end of this week or next, I wish to assure Senators that Government will proceed with the appointment of judges-----
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: -----as is our duty and obligation under the law.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I believe we will be here all night in any event. Subsection (8) circumscribes the purposes for which such contracts or arrangements, or appointment of consultants or advisers may be made by the commission, namely, to advise or assist in the preliminary stages of a selection procedure or provide assessments of individual applicant suitability to assist the commission in making decisions in...
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: The Senator talked about employed psychiatrists.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: I do not believe it will be necessary to have any psychiatrists.
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: The only way to do this in an efficient and cost effective way is to provide for the placing of these type of contracts for the expert assistance that is available in the private sector. Why not have the public sector engage in the best practice that is available in our land?
- Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Jul 2018)
Charles Flanagan: The important point is that the commission will be running the processes and making the decisions. The commission will be recommending people. Should Senators McDowell and Boyhan's amendment be accepted, we would be left with a commission which does not do the job we are setting it up to do. If it is to do the job, it will be appropriate from time to time to seek the assistance of persons...