Results 1,061-1,080 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It is zero.

Brutal Killing in Limerick: Statements. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It is unworkable.

Sentencing Policy. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the implementation of the law in respect of mandatory sentences for drug dealers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40281/08]

Sentencing Policy. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding what the Minister said about the independence of the Courts Service and the Judiciary, there is still a difficulty that he and his colleagues should address. The will of this House, as enshrined in legislation, is not being acted upon. What steps does he propose to take to ensure the will of this House is acted upon and followed through? While I am not a fan of mandatory...

Sentencing Policy. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I never said "interfere".

Sentencing Policy. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I regret that the Minister appears to adopt a wait-and-see, hands-off approach. Included in his party's programme for Government is a commitment to establish a judicial sentencing commission which would formulate sentencing guidelines. Where stands that commitment and what progress has been made?

Sentencing Policy. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The sentencing commission——

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 3: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority will continue to function effectively in view of the fact that their budgets have been cut by 43% and 24% respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40457/08]

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: As a result of these cutbacks, not only will there be no fanfare, but the Equality Authority will have very little ability to pursue its core objectives. The Minister has succeeded in decimating the authority. He did not respond to Deputy Rabbitte's query about why the decentralisation of the authority to Roscrea is being fast-tracked at a time when relocation and decentralisation are being...

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: None of the 15 staff who is due to transfer to Roscrea worked for the Equality Authority in the first instance. The relocation will lead to problems of experience and expertise. The Minister has destroyed the authority, in effect, in a most vindictive way. He is well aware that a stake is being put through the authority's heart because many of its decisions have embarrassed him and his...

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The Government set it up and now it is taking it down.

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: We published a list of quangos and gave it to the Minister, who ignored it.

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The list was the result of a front bench decision.

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Some 64%, when others take 9%, 8% and 7%.

State Agencies. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: This is a hatchet job.

Crime Levels. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether particular sanctions should apply to those who attack members of the emergency services; the action he will take to tackle the increasing volume of attacks on members of the emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40458/08]

Crime Levels. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the Minister's reply but does he accept there is a particular problem in the final two weeks of October annually coinciding with Halloween festivities? For many people in the community, particularly the elderly, Hallowe'en weekend has become a living nightmare as a result of the violence, mayhem and anti-social behaviour of a reprehensible nature that ensues. Operation...

Crime Levels. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Will the Minister review the penalties to ensure mindless attacks on ambulance and fire personnel have the same status in law as attacks on members of the Garda?

Prison Accommodation. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take regarding overcrowding in the prisons here in view of the fact that Thornton Hall is two years behind schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40564/08]

Prison Accommodation. (13 Nov 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I put it to the Minister that there is currently a crisis in our prison system. As we speak, hundreds of criminals, many of whom have been sentenced to lengthy periods in prison, are now walking the streets. Gardaí state that offenders are being released early having served less than half of their sentences. This ties in to our earlier debate on gangland crime, drugs, mayhem and...