Results 10,101-10,120 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (20 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (20 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reform (20 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Both the acting Secretary General of my Department and I have met with the Chair of the Change Implementation Group. In line with its terms of reference, the Group will assess progress in implementing the recommendations of the Toland Report as well as review the culture of the Department and examine the relationship between the Department and An Garda Síochána. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (20 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Employment vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána primarily in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016. The Deputy will understand that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Data (20 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In the Parliamentary Questions referred to, the Deputy sought information regarding Operation Gull dating back to 2008, as well as statistics relating to detentions, refusals of leave to land, and deportations. In my original responses, I committed to exploring this matter further, and to getting in touch with you again. It remains the case that An Garda Síochána have advised that...

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I accept that this is an important issue in the context of domestic violence legislation and the Government's policy of zero tolerance. I do not have a date for the opening of the centre in the Deputy's constituency but I have taken careful note of the point she has made and am happy to communicate with her before nightfall.

Topical Issue Debate: Death of Aidan McAnespie (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin for raising this matter on this poignant day, the 30th anniversary of the killing of Aidan McAnespie. Deputy Ó Caoláin recalls being a Sinn Féin councillor at the time. I was a Member of this House on that day and what happened was a devastating tragedy for Aidan McAnespie, his family and the entire community in Aughnacloy and beyond, even...

Topical Issue Debate: Death of Aidan McAnespie (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On this, the 30th anniversary of the tragedy, I offer my condolences and those of my Government colleagues to the McAnespie family and in particular to Aidan McAnespie's elderly father. It was a tragedy for his family and for the wider community. Dealing with the legacy of the Troubles on this island is a difficult and complex task without any immediate or easy solutions. The Deputy will...

Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Order for Second Stage (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present to the House the Public Service (Superannuation) Amendment Bill. I wish to thank Deputies for facilitating this Bill, the agreement that we would make progress and, in that regard, facilitate the taking of all Stages this evening. It is a short Bill, the sole purpose of which is to ensure that the same age limits...

Public Service Superannuation (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions to this debate, for their support for the Bill and for facilitating its passage in the manner in which they have done. It is important and pleasing to me that we are at one in our objective of seeing the best possible candidate appointed to lead An Garda Síochána. As I said, I do not have any specific preference, nor does the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits Data (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have been advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for Seafarers provides a lawful pathway for persons to work lawfully in the Irish fishing fleet on boats of 15 metres and over in length. In 2017, 136 permits were issued under the scheme. This figure consists of 29 permissions granted on the basis of new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.  However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that waiting times in the Probate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Communications (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the procurement of ICT products and services is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter. I am, however, informed by the Garda authorities that the development of the new Garda website was managed by the Garda Office of Corporate Communications supported by Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Data (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am interpreting the Deputy’s question as referring to civil legal aid. The provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered by the Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. I am conscious that there are significant demands on the Board and that this gives rise to waiting times for certain services at most of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Data (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am interpreting the Deputy’s question as referring to Civil Legal Aid. The provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered through the Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 - 2017. In addition to solicitors directly employed by the Board, it also engages private solicitors, under the Private Practitioner District...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts.  The Court Service is not involved in the administration of justice which is a matter for the courts and the judiciary, who are subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa for any purpose.  Each visa application is considered on its individual merits.  In assessing any application, the Visa Officer will have regard to all of the information available to them including any previous applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: General Data Protection Regulation Implementation (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) EU 2016/679 will come into force on 25 May 2018.  The transposition date for the new EU Data Protection Directive, which relates specifically to law enforcement, is also May 2018. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the overall business and administration of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (21 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the recruitment process for An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. The Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial stages of the process with the final stages, involving a physical competency test, a medical examination and...