Results 8,241-8,260 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Black referred to the rights of children and families. I agree with many of her comments. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet the Children's Rights Alliance, which welcomed a significant measure of progress on the McMahon proposals. I acknowledge Senator Norris's long-standing interest in and leadership on LGBT issues and I take his point seriously. I would be happy to sit...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The rates are €32.50 per person per day. That is the cost to the State. It acts as a disincentive to new people providing centres. If the companies are to be portrayed in pubic as large private sector profiteers, I am not sure that will stand up.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Mr. Justice McMahon was only allowed to consider changes to the system, not its abolition.I will repeat what I said in my earlier contribution. I am happy to receive submissions from Senators or outside agencies and bodies on the matter of a sustainable replacement system. I have not heard any from Sinn Féin, although it has referred to alternatives before.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to hear from Sinn Féin. I acknowledge the contributions of Seanadóirí who have indicated that as far as they are concerned there has been a measure of progress. I have visited some centres. I have two in my constituency, one of which I have been visiting for many years since before my appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality. As a State, we will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to be here this morning. I am accompanied by my officials, Mr. Brendan Eiffe and Ms Anne O’Farrell. The purpose of the motions is to seek Oireachtas approval for Ireland to opt into an EU regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794, generally referred to as the Europol regulation, for the purposes of establishing a European travel information and authorisation system,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, subject to this committee giving the matter consideration or making a formal referral.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My understanding is that consideration is being given. I do not have any evidence to suggest that the UK is not engaging in such arrangements. However, like ourselves, it will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, observations and, ultimately, approval.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the members' observations and apparent support, notwithstanding some concerns they raised. The concern that has most exercised members of the committee appears to be the implications or otherwise of the withdrawal of our nearest neighbour, the UK, from the EU. It has always been the case that Ireland and the UK co-operate closely on immigration matters, particularly those relating...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We will continue to play our part in Europol irrespective of the position of our neighbours in the United Kingdom. I do not wish to pre-empt what the sovereign Government of the UK will do, but it is likely it will make a decision on this shortly. Regardless, I believe it is important we exercise our own sovereign decision on this issue, which is why I seek approval of the Houses of the...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Intangible Assets (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move:(1) THAT section 291A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997) be amended in subsection (6)(a) by substituting “exceed 80 per cent of” for “exceed”. (2) THAT paragraph (1) of this Resolution applies to expenditure incurred by a company on or after 11 October 2017. (3) IT is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Intangible Assets (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. His intervention and consequent deliberation was the first spark in budget evening. I congratulate him on that.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Intangible Assets (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Mr. Seamus Coffey's report stated the increase in corporation tax receipts can be expected to be sustainable up to and including 2020. However, to ensure some smoothing of the corporation tax revenues over time, it was also recommended the deduction for capital allowances for intangible assets and any related interest expense be reduced to 80% of the relevant income arising from the...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Intangible Assets (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Essentially, two issues have been raised by the four speakers. First, on the manner in which the cost of approximately €150 million was arrived at, I never confirmed that the figure was €150 million. It is an estimate. While it could well transpire to be accurate, it is not a figure that can be confirmed.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Intangible Assets (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The second issue concerns the capital allowance in the first instance. I acknowledge that there are difficulties in assessing the potential for changes, given the nature of the companies involved, the predictions of their future behaviour and the expenditure amounts involved. However, in recent times the Revenue Commissioners have reviewed the data for prior year claims under section 291A...

Financial Resolution No. 4: General (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move:THAT it is expedient to amend the law relating to inland revenue (including value-added tax and excise) and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As I have previously explained to the Deputy, this tragic case was considered under the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) and the recommendation was that no further action should be taken. Counsel for the IRM pointed out that the appropriate forum for raising matters related to alleged Garda failings was the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) who were already investigating...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulatory Authority (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was established on 3 April 2012 pursuant to the provisions of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. The PSRA is mandated to control, supervise and regulate Property Service Providers (PSPs), i.e. auctioneers/estate agents, letting agents and management agents. The PSRA, which is independent in the performance of its statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (10 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The report to which the Deputy refers was published on 30 September 2017, along with a letter from the Tánaiste and then Minister for Justice and Equality to the Garda Commissioner. I understand that the final report is due to be completed in the coming weeks and the Government will consider the matter in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (10 Oct 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 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 crime trends,...