Results 13,321-13,340 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We know Deputy Murphy's attitude to the Constitution.

Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: He could not.

Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following: “Dáil Éireann: (a) noting the significant concerns with the Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017 in respect of its compatibility with the Constitution of Ireland, but acknowledging the positive intentions behind the Bill; (b) acknowledging the importance of...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy referred to Leighlinbridge Garda station in County Carlow and I can advise him that positive consideration has been given to the reinstitution of the Garda service from Leighlinbridge. I would be happy to communicate with the Deputy on progress in this matter. He also mentioned north Kilkenny. There are 11 gardaí in Castlecomer and two in Urlingford and the area is served...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I refer Deputy Murphy O'Mahony to the table showing the figure for the Cork west division as of 31 May 2017, which totals 284 gardaí. In her own district, there are 34 in Bantry and five in Castletownbere, as well as gardaí in Drimoleague, Durrus, Glengariff, Kealkill and Schull. In the Clonakilty division there are a total of 60 gardaí. The Government is committed to...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I reject the assertion that the withdrawal of Garda services from smaller Garda stations is in any way associated with an increase in crime. In fact the figures state the opposite - there has been a decrease in crimes against property. I assure Deputy Murphy O'Mahony that the focus of investment in personnel is critical and the Garda Commissioner informs me that 15 newly-attested...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased the Deputy mentioned community policing because community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It recognises that every community, rural and otherwise, has its own concerns, priorities and expectations of An Garda Síochána and I welcome the strong emphasis of the modernisation and renewal programme, MRP, on further developing and supporting the...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I ask the Deputy to appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda divisions. While I do not have a direct role in the matter, I am anxious to ensure the investment of the public money the Government makes available for the Garda leads to the provision of more effective policing services throughout the...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I mentioned earlier that personnel matters in the Wicklow division continue to be under review. We are investing to facilitate increased Garda numbers. It is important to acknowledge that measures have been put in place to combat crime, particularly in rural counties like Wicklow. Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other offenders. It...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The table that accompanies this reply shows that 312 gardaí were based in the Carlow-Kilkenny Garda division on 31 May last. Many of them are assigned to Garda stations very close to Deputy Aylward, including Glenmore, Kilmoganny, Mooncoin, Mullinavat, Piltown and Thomastown. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring there is a strong and visible police presence...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that the investment in personnel we have been discussing is complemented by the investment of resources across the board in An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware that significant resources have been made available to the Garda to upgrade equipment in Garda stations, including ICT and email equipment. In addition, €46 million has been provided for...

Other Questions: Garda Data (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I take the point the Deputy makes regarding the Border area. It is an issue that is also under consideration by the Garda authorities. The table included with my reply sets out the situation regarding gardaí in the Cavan-Monaghan division as of 31 May 2017. Deputy Brendan Smith will be aware that Ballyconnell in his own original area has 18 gardaí. Belturbet has five , Blacklion...

Other Questions: Garda Data (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy has raised a point of importance. We had the opportunity to engage in some debate on it in my previous capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, when Deputy Brendan Smith was foreign affairs spokesman and, more recently, in his capacity as Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is an issue in terms of cross-Border crime, the matter of...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Casey for raising the question. I have, in tabular form, the Wicklow division total, which is 296. The table is included with this reply. If I were to read the entire table into the record, my time would be exhausted. Suffice to say that the districts of Baltinglass, Bray and Wicklow had a total of 296 gardaí as of 31 May 2017. Last Thursday, we had a passing out...

Other Questions: Garda Data (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make that a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda members,...

Other Questions: Forensic Science Ireland (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government recognises the importance of and the highly significant role played by Forensic Science Ireland. For some time the need for a new forensic laboratory appropriate to the State's requirements has been regarded as one of the most critical capital projects in the justice sector. In that regard the Government has allocated €45 million for the construction of the laboratory...

Other Questions: Garda Equipment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of equipment, including less-lethal weapons, to members of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am, however, informed by the Garda authorities that the item of equipment referred to by the Deputy, the Taser, is only issued to members of the emergency...

Other Questions: Garda Equipment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: If the Deputy asks me if Tasers are available to gardaí in Cork, the answer to that question is "Yes". I am informed by the Garda authorities that equipment referred to by the Deputy, the Taser, is only issued to members of the emergency response unit and armed support units, which are deployed regionally including in the Cork city division. In response to the Deputy's supplementary...

Other Questions: Garda Equipment (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate, since he has drawn my attention to the subject matter of a dispute between Garda management and a representative association, it would be unwise and unhelpful for me to comment on this issue either way. I assure the Deputy that members of the armed response units are highly trained and equipped with a variety of non-lethal and lethal weapons and perform an...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Road Safety (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are two issues raised by Deputy Shortall in the question. In the first instance she asks about raising awareness. I assure her the Road Safety Authority has again been asked to raise awareness of these issues in the context of the current summer climate which obviously gives rise to a greater use - or, indeed, greater misuse or abuse - of these vehicles in urban areas. In response to...