Results 9,561-9,580 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Combatting Cyberbullying (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the issue raised by her can be included in the discussions referred to between Departmental officials. As advised by Minister Zappone in parliamentary question number 38 of 28 November 2017, she and I met last November on this issue, together with Minister Naughten.  It was agreed at that meeting that an Open Policy Debate on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies Data (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to inform the Deputy the number of agencies, boards or other bodies under the aegis of this department that have been disbanded or amalgamated or whose functions were subsumed back into this Department since 2011 are outlined in the following table. Name of Agency/Board/Other Bodies Was it (a) disbanded or (b) amalgamated or (c) functions subsumed back into the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Injury Claims (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will wish to be aware that I have referred the attached question to all of the relevant agencies and bodies under the remit of my Department and have asked them to contact you directly with the relevant information sought. Separately I am now including a table which sets out claims made under the Criminal Procedure Act 1993 and claims which fall under the Garda Compensation Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.  Section 7 of the Act, which governs Irish citizenship by descent, provides that, with some limited exceptions, a person is an Irish citizen from birth if at the time of his or her birth either parent was an Irish citizen.  This, however, does...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Issues (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The information requested by the Deputy cannot be provided in the time available. I have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased to be in the Seanad this afternoon to present the proposal of Government that the State opts into the EU, recast, reception conditions directive 2013 under the terms of Protocol 21, annexed to the EU treaties. Last Wednesday, the opt-in proposal was broadly welcomed and supported by the members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. Opting into this...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senators for their consideration. I want to point out that, as Senator Ruane has said, it is important that we have the opportunity of opting into the EU reception conditions directive, recast, because we need to bear in mind the key benefits it will bring to applicants and their families during their time in our protection process. Of course, we are using the opportunity...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: A statutory period of four months is needed to ensure that we are fully compliant with the opt-in process.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not think we could avoid them.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Senators that the interim process is temporary and short-term and that we remain committed to providing effective access to the labour market for applicants under the directive. The restrictive regime, as Senator Norris and others have called it, is a temporary measure.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is in line with the limited options available to us to provide access during the interim period. It is important that we all work together. Senators were critical of the Department of Justice and Equality. While the Department is very much involved in this process, there are other considerations as well. We must consider jobs, social protection, health rights, children's rights,...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: No. I assure Senators that the interdepartmental group, which involves nine Departments, is working to ensure that we will be in a position to opt in to what is a far more favourable regime, which will be acknowledged by stakeholders, applicants and Senators. We will not be in a position to do so-----

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----until June. I acknowledge the support of Senator Clifford-Lee and her party. In response to a question which she posed to me, the full accounts of the McMahon recommendations are published online. They set out actions taken. In excess of 95% of the recommendations have been wholly or partially implemented. Mr. Justice McMahon himself has called for the opt-in. He is in favour of...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----is not particularly accurate.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The important issue here is that we move forward towards the opt-in. The opt-in will provide benefits to applicants and their families which are not available to them at present. In response to Senator Norris's comments on an employment permit fee, it is my understanding that this is paid by the employers.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It will not be an issue. I acknowledge the contribution of Senator Ó Donnghaile. He referred to a letter he received from Doras Luimní. I would be grateful if he let me have a copy of the letter before we leave the House.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would be very keen to have the issues raised therein replied to at the earliest opportunity. I do not have the letter. I note what the Senator says about the direct provision regime. I do not believe the direct provision regime is ideal, but I acknowledge that we are making improvements thereto along the lines recommended in the McMahon report. I visited some centres myself and would...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----to run the centres.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The effective right to work will result from the opt-in. I acknowledge what Senator Black has said in that regard. The opt-in process will guarantee that the new scheme will be required to be up and running within a period of four months. There was a common concern among Independent Senators that the short-term or transition measures, to which there has been so much reference in the course...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Despite the earlier wishes of the committee in terms of amendments, it is important that we accommodate the presidents of all the courts in the matter of the commission. It was felt that the most appropriate way of doing this was to establish certain committees. Notwithstanding the amendments to earlier sections, particularly section 9, it is fundamental that the offices of the presidents...