Results 11,501-11,520 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Data Protection Bill 2018: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In advance of matters being completed this evening I thank Senators for their engagement during the course of this legislation.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Training (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I share the view expressed by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and take seriously the comments he made concerning the commencement of business. As Deputy O'Callaghan will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has statutory responsibility for carrying on, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including training. As Minister, I do not have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Training (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by Garda management that a review is under way to identify how the delivery of the current driver training system can be improved. I understand consultations have taken place with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other police services to identify international best practice with regard to models of training. Pending the outcome of the review, I am advised that places...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Training (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I provided figures and I will repeat that the number of gardaí who have been trained to CBD level 2 currently stands at 2,700. This figure does not include gardaí who were trained to an equivalent level prior to the introduction of the competency based framework. I take issue with the attempt to draw a distinction between gardaí on the front line and other gardaí. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be aware, decisions regarding the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including updating of information and communications technology, ICT, systems are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I do not have a direct role in the matter. However, the unprecedented investment which is being made by the Government in Garda ICT...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to acknowledge the ongoing and evolving situation regarding technological advances. I am keen to ensure, as is the Garda Síochána, that Garda equipment and investigative capacity is in a position to keep abreast of these changes. I acknowledge the reforming nature of our legislation and in particular the recently enacted Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. The Act...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the manner in which the Garda Síochána is adapting to deal with emerging issues. I understand the matter was adverted to at the committee. The Deputy should note the significant reform programme. It is well under way in line with the Government five-year reform programme. The key driver of the reform is the Commissioner's five-year renewal programme from 2016-21....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have circulated a reply to the Deputy with figures in tabular form. I hope he has a copy of it. They are the most readily available figures from An Garda Síochána on anti-social behaviour warnings. The figures are broken down by Garda region. I hope the Deputy finds the information useful. I can assure Deputy Lahart that An Garda Síochána remains committed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge Deputy Lahart's interest in this issue and, indeed, his expertise as a Dublin Deputy working in the community. In response to his question about community policing, it plays a significant part in tackling anti-social behaviour. It plays a vital role in deterring all forms of crime. The unprecedented level of resources that this Government has made available to An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the specific example that the Deputy gave with reference to recent unacceptable behaviour in Clongriffin. That type of activity has no place in a modern civilised society. However, I do not agree with the Deputy if he is asserting that the anti-social behaviour legislation has been a failure.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would point out that in addition to anti-social behaviour orders, we have strong provisions enacted in legislation. There is the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which was amended in 2003, and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts, to name but a few. All these legislative provisions are constantly under review. I assure the Deputy that An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Clare Daly will be aware from previous questions on this issue that the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 was enacted to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords important protections to persons making protected disclosures and specifically included the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, as a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Clare Daly has again made serious allegations in the House. If I have not done so before, I say to her now that she has a responsibility to act accordingly in respect of any information which she has or which comes across her desk in respect of the alleged commission of a crime. I trust that she has done so. I want to again emphasise that I have no authority to direct the Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: A request was made by my Department on 12 February for an update on the investigation. The chair responded to advise that as matters referred to a protected disclosure under the Act, no information could be provided at that time. I want to remind the House yet again that I am awaiting the outcome of any investigation which An Garda Síochána or GSOC is engaged in. I want to remind...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Notwithstanding the acting Commissioner's responsibility, I have provided for the record, in tabular form, the detailed information requested by the Deputy. I am informed by the acting Commissioner that, as of 30 April 2018, the most recent date for which figures are readily available,...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On Garda strength in the Wexford division, the Deputy will be aware that there are now more gardaí than has been the case since before 2009. I am sure he is very keen that the numbers continue to increase. He mentioned Gorey Garda station. I recently had the opportunity to visit it and acknowledged the ongoing very positive and constructive work in which gardaí in the Gorey...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that we ensure members of the Garda are doing the job for which they are trained, that is, both availability and visibility. I acknowledge the point Deputy Browne raised in respect of the supervisory ranks. I am advised by the acting Garda Commissioner that competitions for the positions of sergeant and inspector are currently in train. In that regard the requirements of...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Wallace, as I assured Deputy Browne, that every consideration will be given by the Commissioner to areas where specific needs are highlighted. I am happy to convey to the acting Garda Commissioner the views of Deputy Browne. The competitions for promotion in respect of inspectors and sergeants are in the course of completion. I expect that in the coming months consideration...

Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In September 2017 the Government decided on an indicative timetable for a number of referendums to be held in 2018 and 2019. Under this timetable, and subject to passage of the necessary Bills by the Houses of the Oireachtas and formal confirmation of the polling date, it is proposed to hold referendums in October 2018 on the offence of blasphemy - Article 40.6.1°.i - and on a woman's...

Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, it is the intention of the Government to hold these two referendums in the autumn. If we do have a presidential election, which is not certain at this stage, that would seem to me to be the most obvious opportunity to ask the people of the country to cast their views on the referendums. In any event, the question to be put before the people has not yet been fully determined by the...