Results 8,361-8,380 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that while the Spouse of Irish National Unit endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hands, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Mac Lochlainn and other Seanadóirí for initiating this important debate in the Seanad. I too welcome Stephanie McGill Lynch and John Lynch and other members of Jake's family to our Visitors Gallery and our debate. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to the family on the tragic loss of Jake. They are very...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Any use of this new verdict contemplated in the Bill would be capable of ascribing criminal liability to a person or persons who would be readily identifiable. While suicide is not a crime, as the Seanadóirí will know, assisted suicide continues to be a crime. Assisted suicide could well include iatrogenic suicide, as defined in the Bill.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: That would be open to interpretation and I am not saying the Senator's interpretation would hold in the manner in which he might intend.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has received the advice of the Office of the Attorney General on the Bill and reference to the Attorney General has been well made by my colleague, Senator Mulherin. It is the firm view that to introduce a verdict of iatrogenic suicide at inquest would be legally unsound. The Coroners Society of Ireland is a body that has not been mentioned during the course of this debate....

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of this debate. I join the Cathaoirleach in extending our welcome to the former Minister of State, John Moloney, and his guests. I apologise for the disappointment they must feel when they see me on my feet in the Seanad when they can hear me in Mountmellick any day of the week. I acknowledge his contribution both as Minister of State in the Department of...

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Might I respond briefly? This is an unusual debate in so far as-----

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Yes. I acknowledge the Senators' comments and applaud them for their work in this regard. The situation this Bill seeks to address is not one the majority of people will ever have to encounter. I agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh, however, in that for those who do encounter it, I can only imagine the consequent pain and grief that arise and, unfortunately, will continue. As a...

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: It is only an indicative date.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chairman and members. I welcome the commencement of the Committee Stage debate on this important piece of legislation, the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017. Let me emphasise that this major piece of legislation arises from public consultations in 2014 on the widespread appreciation of the necessity to reform the system for the appointment of members of the Judiciary. ...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I hope to be here until after 12 noon. There are other commitments in the Seanad and the Dáil, but they are somewhat fluid in terms of the scheduling of business. We will meet for three or three and a half hours, or more if the intention of the committee is to sit all day. I have a commitment after lunch in the Seanad and a Dáil commitment at some point around lunchtime....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: What is the committee's thinking?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I may be in some difficulty at around 12 noon or 12.15 p.m., but I am ultimately in the hands of the committee.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: If members are satisfied with that, I would not have a difficulty. We all have busy schedules, but I am keen to get as much work done as possible.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The first group of amendments relates to an expressed desire on the part of members to take out or eliminate any reference to the office of the new commission and its proposed director. The amendments, taken together, would eliminate the administrative support office established under Part 5 of the Bill in sections 32 to 34. The Deputy also intends to delete sections 32 and 34 in their...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As a member of Government, I am very conscious of the need to ensure that there is value for money, not only on these issues but across Government. I find it difficult to accept the basic premise of Deputy O'Callaghan's amendment when he said that the entire cost of the current regime is €5,000. I would imagine that a couple of advertisements in a newspaper would amount to €5,000.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I fail to see that that is the entire cost-----

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: -----of running the current process.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have certainly formed the view that it is more than €5,000.