Results 12,361-12,380 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish, in the first instance, to respond to Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee. I acknowledge that amendments Nos. 15, 21, 25, 27, 28, 53, 57, 59, 61 and 63 are in my name. I will be moving amendment No. 15. Before I do so, I want to make a point on amendment No. 13, as proposed by Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee. It is, of course, entirely consistent with the approach taken by the Senator's...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senators will be aware that an amendment of mine on Report Stage in the Dáil achieved that objective. The Bill, as passed in the Dáil, provides for membership of the commission by these five senior judges. That is important. The Bill also includes an Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission nominee. An amendment in that regard was inserted on Committee Stage in the Dáil....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not intend to repeat the points I made earlier except that my opposition to the various configuration of amendments before us from the different groups stems from the ultimate flaw, from my perspective and that of the Government, namely, that they do not facilitate the lay majority and the lay chair. I agree with the points made by former Minister, Senator McDowell, about the central...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Section 19 contains standard provision for grounds for disqualification of a member of the commission. I have tabled a technical amendment to this provision to include the IHREC nominee. Having regard to the fact that amendment No. 60 is consequential on the reconfiguration of the legal and lay membership of the commission, as with any amendment consequential on amendment No. 14, I will not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland ratified the UN convention against torture in 2002. This and previous Governments are fully committed to the convention and have fully participated in all that its ratification entails. The optional protocol to the convention against torture, OPCAT, dates from 2007. It is in addition to the convention and designed to be preventive in nature. I am fully...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what the Deputy has said about Ireland's campaign to seek a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2021/2022. I take from what he has said that it is a position that has the support of the main Opposition party, which I welcome. It is important in the context of Ireland's standing on the international stage. I acknowledge the importance of the attendance of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On the Deputy's observations on the GRECO report, I expect that document will be published and available as early as possible after lunch. We will then have an opportunity to resume debate in the Seanad on this issue and, I hope, in this Chamber as well before too long. I acknowledge what the Deputy said because he makes an important point regarding OPCAT responsibilities in areas outside...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On Thursday last, the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, and I announced details of the coming into effect of the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive 2013 which includes enhanced access to the labour market for asylum seekers. In summary, eligible applicants will have access to all sectors of employment, with a small number of exceptions. The directive has much broader impacts...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be aware that the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive requires that access must be provided no later than nine months. To facilitate speedy processing of applications for labour market permission, my officials will accept applications from eight months and permission will be valid immediately from the ninth month. In consultation with Government...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The import of the Deputy's question, in short, is why do we have this system of direct provision and are there any plans to replace or abandon this system. Quite clearly the direct provision system encompasses a range of State services, including food, accommodation, health and education directly provided to international protection applicants through all of the relevant Departments and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sexual Offences Data (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As I stated last week when the latest crime statistics were released by the CSO, the rise in the recorded incidents of sexual assault, and particularly incidents of rape, is something the Government continues to take very seriously. Those found to have committed such abhorrent crimes will face the full force of the criminal justice system. While the Deputy will appreciate that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sexual Offences Data (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy has raised a number of issues. I assure him that in terms of Garda resources I am very conscious of the unprecedented level of resources made available to the Garda Síochána in the current year. I am very keen this will continue. The Deputy made a very important point in so far as determining the causes of the increases in the statistics. In this regard I announced in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sexual Offences Data (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would be very keen to do so and in that regard I would welcome an early return of the Executive in Northern Ireland to allow me interact on a face to face basis with an appropriate colleague in the Executive. To ensure that victims and complainants feel comfortable coming forward to report their experience it is important that we have sufficient training on the part of the Garda. In...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the Deputy that burglary is a most serious offence. I am mindful of the impact it can have on a victim, particularly a victim who is elderly or vulnerable. Reflecting the seriousness of the crime, there are stringent penalties in place for burglary offences. Under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, the offence of burglary is punishable by up to 14 years'...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In the time available I will not repeat what I said on sentencing. I sympathise with Johnny, Tim and Joe. There are Johnnys, Tims and Joes in every constituency. I am concerned to ensure there will be special initiatives to tackle crime, especially in rural areas. In addition to the extensive policing measures being implemented as part of Operation Thor, An Garda Síochána is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As Minister for Justice and Equality, I am committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, including County Kerry, to provide reassurance for the Deputy's constituents in the many cases he raises in the House on a regular basis. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 May, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Equality and the protection of minorities form important components of the work of my Department. The Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, and I are very committed to ensuring Ireland is a safe and secure country for everybody. I acknowledge and welcome the research launched yesterday by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. A wide body of criminal law is used to combat racism...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that I regard the research in the report that was published yesterday as hugely important. It will contribute greatly to the understanding of how hate crimes are dealt with across the State. I recognise that the report identifies a number of issues that need to be addressed if we are to ensure hate crimes are dealt with in an effective, rigorous and robust way. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I reject the Deputy's hollow criticism. She knows, having served in government as a Minister of State, that any legislation must be informed legislation. If we are to ensure this is the case, the starting point must be a review. I assure her that a review is under way in this instance. I expect that the review will result in legislation. I accept that this is an important and urgent...

Other Questions: Asylum Seeker Employment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The 2013 EU reception conditions directive, which I signed into effect from 30 June last, enhances access to the labour market for asylum seekers. It means that eligible applicants will have access to all sectors of employment, other than appointments to the public service, the Civil Service, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. I am happy to outline the rationale for this...