Results 10,221-10,240 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not disagree with the points that have been made in respect of ensuring a special level of protection having regard to the special status of the persons we are dealing with, namely, children. However, for the purpose of the amendment and to ensure clarity in the legislation because specific reference is made throughout the GDPR on the matter of a child or children, it is important that...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There are a maximum of 160 characters and most of them seem to be "f".

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I sign anything I say or do.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am surprised at Senator McDowell.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have had the opportunity to listen to the contributions over the past couple of hours. I acknowledge the depth of the debate, which I have found very useful. It has been exactly as it should have been.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what Senators have had to say on this complex issue. It is an issue on which there are sharply divided opinions and different perspectives. It is an issue where there is no right or wrong but our objective is shared, which is to do our best for society, in particular our children, an age of consent for those who are the subject of these amendments. It is important to go back...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: That is fine. The debate on the Bill and these amendments is taking place against a background of what has been a significant amount of discourse over the past year or more. I remind Senators that two public consultation processes, which were publicly advertised and in respect of which submissions were sought, have taken place. Indeed, following the completion of these consultations by...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I also want to refer to the submissions made by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, the special rapporteur on children's issues. Dr. Shannon has done a particularly good job on children's issues over the years. He also recommended the setting of the age of consent at 13 and so did the committee in its report. I strongly agree with what Senator Clifford-Lee said when referring to knowledge, information...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senator. I wish to briefly refer to Senator Ruane's amendment. I am very much inclined to agree with her. I am very struck by her personal experience and her practical approach.I also listened to the supporting commentary of Senator Higgins. Having regard to the fact the amendment was only tabled yesterday and was only seen by me yesterday, I do not think it is unreasonable if...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----put forward by Senator Ruane. I will ask that we revisit this, in the spirit in which I believe the debate has been held. I very much value the comments made by Senators and the contributions over the past couple of hours. It is a long time since I was in a debate where three amendments took in excess of two hours or more. I welcome this because it is testament to the importance of...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: We can look at it.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: We can see how best we can do it. I will leave it at that for the moment.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I will be introducing regulations in the normal course. There is provision under Article 37, which deals with the designation of the data protection officer, in terms of there being scope for a group of entities appointing a single data protection officer but obviously there would have to be guidelines and regulations to ensure that there was access across the various undertakings or...

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I note that is from where the Senator is coming on this point, rather than using the groups as a specific designation.

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the House that action is being taken. The pace of implementation of previous reports is unacceptable. Yesterday, the Cabinet agreed on the establishment at an early date of an implementation group. We have had strategies, reports and fora but we need implementation. That group is being established. It will involve people from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The consultation and interview process has now been completed. The report is at an advanced stage of drafting. I expect it within a matter of days.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I will look at it first and then I will give the matter further attention.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputies Pearse Doherty and MacSharry will both be well aware of the fact that these operational issues are quite rightly matters for the acting Garda Commissioner-----

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----and the leaders of An Garda Síochána. I am sure-----