Results 7,281-7,300 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy may be aware the Monitoring Committee established under section 44 of the Children Act 2001 reports annually to the Garda Commissioner on the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme. This Annual Report provides comprehensive data in relation to the Diversion Programme, including the number of incidents referred to it and the number of individuals involved. The latest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy may be aware, statutory provision in relation to young offenders is set out in the Children Act 2001 (as amended). Part 4 of the Act makes provision for the operation of the Garda Diversion Programme under the general superintendence and control of the Garda Commissioner. The aim of the Diversion Programme is to divert any child who accepts responsibility for his or her...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Certificates (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that if a person believes that an error has occurred in the details recorded on a certificate of naturalisation, it is open to the person concerned to contact Citizenship Division (details available at www.inis.gov.ie) who will examine the case and advise on any procedure to be followed.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Data (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is currently only one Revenue Sheriff post vacant, that of the Revenue Sheriff for County Mayo. The post became vacant on 20 April 2017. The post was advertised by the Public Appointments Service on 13 January 2017, along with a second such post in respect of which it is anticipated that a vacancy will arise later this year. This post is that of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chairman. I am pleased to accept the Chairman's invitation to attend this meeting to discuss the recent appointment of Ms Justice Máire Whelan as a judge of the Court of Appeal. One of the members is indicating.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Judicial independence is at the core of the proper judicial role in any free society. This very independence is guaranteed by Article 35.2 of the Constitution which provides that judges are to be "independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and subject only to this Constitution and the law". The appointment of judges to our courts is of fundamental importance to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In my time in government there has been one appointment by the Government that was not made following a Judicial Appointments Advisory Board recommendation or by the elevation of a serving judge to a higher court.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not making any further comment on issues that have been under consideration by Government. I have answered the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: No, I said that during my time in government there was one such decision made by Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I think the record will show that there were a number of expressions of interest. I am not in a position to go into any further detail on the identity, names or numbers of those involved for reasons that have already been stated on the record of the House and from which I have no wish to depart. What I can say is that any nominations were given due and appropriate consideration in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Whether existing judges of the High Court or any other court put forward expressions of interest to the Attorney General in regard to the matter of a vacancy in the Court of Appeal is confidential, which is important for reasons that would be well known to the Deputy, having regard to his practice at the Bar.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can say that any issues that were before the Government in the matter of this appointment were given appropriate consideration in accordance with the law and practice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My understanding is that on 12 April the then Minister for Justice and Equality wrote to the appointments board seeking a recommendation to fill current and pending vacancies in the Court of Appeal and other courts.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not in a position to give an explanation that would warrant my intervening on the matter of Cabinet confidentiality and the decision-making process. For the benefit of the Deputy, I add that I was appointed Minister for Justice and Equality on 14 June. That is not an issue I can address.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: No, I would not say it was at all unusual. I will repeat what was stated by the Taoiseach last week in the House and lest there be any doubt, I reaffirm once again that the correct and proper procedures were followed in nominating a judge to fill the vacancy, as was the case on the date to which the Deputy refers in respect of other courts and vacancies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Is that with regard to the judicial appointments board?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not in a position to disclose any application that came before the Government. I made that clear earlier with respect to expressions of interest for and on behalf of any member of any court. I am not at liberty to go into any detail on the matter of any applicant other than to say that all and any applicants that were to be considered were dealt with in accordance with the law.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can say that the correct and proper procedures were fully adhered to and followed at all times.