Results 9,041-9,060 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the strong and positive commitment of An Garda Síochána to combatting crime, with particular reference to the type of gangland crime mentioned by Deputy Cassells. There have been significant arrests and successes in recent times, which show that our appreciation of the dedicated work of the force is well warranted. Using ratios such as the number of gardaí per...

Other Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Policing Authority under section 9 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the post of Garda Commissioner. In the meantime we have an excellent acting Commissioner in Dónall Ó Cualáin.  This will be the first time that the new legislative process is utilised and I...

Other Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not accept that the current vacancy at the level of Commissioner has been damaging to An Garda Síochána. Suggestions from Deputy Wallace and others that all of Garda top management should be replaced are unrealistic, irresponsible and unfair to many of the individuals involved in An Garda Síochána. The gardaí have a most important job to do in this State. They...

Other Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: One of the great attributes of the democratic process is the answering of questions by a member of the Executive on a daily basis. It throws up the type of challenges that we see on the matter of Deputy Wallace's intervention. I am accused on one side of the House of not acting smartly enough-----

Other Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Wallace accuses me of kicking the can down the road.

Other Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Chairperson of the Policing Authority and I are agreed that the process of the appointment of the new Commissioner must be approached in a careful and considered manner to ensure that it delivers the outcome that will provide for the calibre of a person required to lead our national police service. It could well be along the lines suggested by Deputy Wallace but I believe that to rush at...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of gardaí, I have provided for the Official Report a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available. The Garda strength of the Kilkenny-Carlow division on 31 October 2017 was 324, of...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I advise the Deputy that I have concerns about the operation of the Garda Reserve and I see great potential to increase numbers to help support communities and An Garda Síochána in the delivery of a service. There are 26 Garda reserves in Kilkenny. I expect the strategic review that is currently under way to be completed and with me by the end of the year and I would be happy to...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am conscious of what the Deputy says. My constituency has a similar profile to that of my neighbours in Kilkenny and Carlow and new challenges are being faced with the way that the motorway network has helped mobility. I assure Deputy Aylward that there will be a significant Garda presence throughout Kilkenny and Carlow over the winter months. Operation Thor, involving a broad range of...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to advance the issue of CCTV in communities.

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Casey for his question. Notwithstanding the Garda Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Garda personnel, I am happy to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy for County Wicklow. The Garda strength of the Wicklow division on 31 October 2017 was 301, of whom 13 are community gardaí. There are...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that my remarks in response to the question tabled by Deputy Aylward ring true to the same degree as far as County Wicklow is concerned. Operation Thor continues and Garda overtime will continue in order to ensure that every effort is made to police rural communities in particular. I acknowledge rural aspects of Deputy Casey's constituency. I want to point to crime...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy of the existence of funding in respect of community CCTV. The application process is open and I have €1 million at my disposal for local communities. I am anxious to ensure that local public representatives are actively engaged in the provision of this information to local communities and would be happy to assist Deputy Casey in that regard. As far as...

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Gino Kenny for raising this issue. On 14 November last, together with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, I announced the new scheme of family reunification in support of refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and their families. This new family reunification humanitarian admission programme will form part of the Government’s...

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The scheme is aimed specifically at the families of those in Ireland who are in receipt of international protection and come from areas of current conflict, including Syria, as has been mentioned specifically in the question. Residents in Ireland who are not beneficiaries of international protection may apply to have family members join them under the guidelines set out in the policy...

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As we approach the end of the year, I am keen to ensure that we meet our commitment to accept 4,000 people under the Irish refugee protection programme. It was with regard to addressing the balance of approximately 1,800 under the scheme, which arises largely due to the smaller number of asylum seekers eligible and registered under the EU programme, that I announced the establishment of a...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of policing in County Longford. The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance for citizens and deter crime. To achieve these objectives, it has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Whatever about having no direct input into the distribution of Garda numbers or operational matters which are wholly under the jurisdiction and domain of the Garda Commissioner and Garda management, I have responsibility for the provision of accurate information for Deputies. Having regard to the Deputy's comments, I will, immediately following this debate, ensure the issues he has raised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I should say at the outset that the distribution of Gardaí is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Notwithstanding the Commissioner’s responsibility for the distribution of Garda personnel, I have provided for the record the detailed information requested by Deputy in tabular form in relation to the number of Gardaí allocated to the Divisional...