Results 7,641-7,660 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Rural Crime (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I confirm that I raised the specific issue of texts this morning in a conversation with the Garda Commissioner. We are considering new initiatives that could allow text messaging to be carried out in a way that is not unduly burdensome on communities. I have made clear to the Garda Commissioner and in public that An Garda Síochána will continue to have all necessary resources...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Coroners Service (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Harty for tabling this important question. As the Deputy will be aware, his colleague, Deputy Clare Daly, proposed a Private Members' Bill, entitled the Coroners Bill 2015, to address issues with regard to the investigation into maternal deaths. That Bill proposed to introduce mandatory reporting, post-mortem examinations and inquests into any maternal death. It also...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Coroners Service (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with Deputy Harty that this is an important issue and one that I wish to address early in my tenure as Minister for Justice and Equality. I have had a number of meetings, one of which was with the Attorney General, in order to ensure that there would be no undue delay in having this Bill, which enjoys the support of the House along party lines and among Independents such as Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Coroners Service (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I hope that the Houses will be able to deal with this matter in the early part of the autumn session. My understanding is that there is all-party support and support from the Independent benches. With that in mind, I hope that matters can be progressed at the earliest opportunity. Regarding the Deputy's comment on maternal deaths and the compilation of figures, such deaths are...

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

Charles Flanagan: I share Deputy Shortall's concern about the public safety and anti-social issues associated with the misuse of such vehicles. It is a serious issue. The Deputy will be aware that the use of mechanically propelled vehicles, MPVs, including quad bikes and scramblers, in a public place is subject to the relevant requirements of road traffic legislation. I am advised by the Garda authorities...

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...

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

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that, having made contact with agencies and ministerial colleagues as I mentioned, I and my officials will co-ordinate a cross-departmental and multi-agency approach. It is important we examine every opportunity across a range of agencies and Government Departments to see how best we can work out a solution to what is a real and serious problem particularly in urban areas...

Other Questions: Forensic Science Ireland (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Forensic Science Ireland, FSI, provides the Garda Síochána with up-to-date services in forensic science, including in the area of drugs and DNA analysis. I recognise the very significant part Forensic Science Ireland plays within the criminal justice system, including its vital role in providing evidence to the courts. There is no doubt this work has been invaluable to the...

Other Questions: Forensic Science Ireland (12 Jul 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I recognise the significant contribution of Forensic Science Ireland in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. It delivers independent expert opinion, advice, training and research to support the Irish criminal justice system. The highly trained and dedicated staff provide specific analysis and objective expert advice. I acknowledge that there is a backlog. I will assure...

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...

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: 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 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...