Results 13,141-13,160 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Training (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together. As the Deputy will be aware it is the Garda Commissioner who 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.   I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that a Forensic Collision Investigator (FCIs) attends...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This is an area we dealt with at some length in July. Without going over ground that was pretty well covered, I stress the importance of the lay majority in terms of decision making. In the context of the the composition of the committee, in order to ensure that the business is quorate the committee will at all times be required to have a lay majority.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is a policy issue but in terms of the practical engagement at the meetings, it will be required of the chair to ensure that there is a lay majority of members present in the context of decision making.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Amendment No. 17 relates to a member of the commission ceasing to hold judicial office. Amendments Nos. 53 to 56, inclusive, are identical to the amendments tabled on Report Stage in the Dáil. The numbering is coincidental in the series of amendments that at the time the Ceann Comhaire ruled could not be moved for procedural reasons. Amendments Nos. 54 to 56, inclusive, as they appear...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Of course, it has been changed from four months to two weeks.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very keen to be consistent throughout the legislation, and the object of the exercise here is to ensure that at all times the body is chaired by a lay member and that there would be a majority of non-judicial or laypersons. I see the point that the Senators have raised and say to Senator Bacik that the issue of whether the resignation or departure of a member of the commission might...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It follows that, should any person offer their resignation or not renew their practising certificate annually, membership of the society will automatically lapse. If a person is no longer a member of the Law Society, that person is no longer able to represent the society and their membership of this commission would automatically be at an end. Striking off is done in effect by means of an...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes and one's membership of the commission would also lapse immediately . The second point at issue here is whether the president of the Law Society of Ireland or the chairperson of the General Council of the Bar of Ireland can act on a unilateral basis, without having a resolution of the society or the council. I do not think that will happen. However, for absolute tidiness, I would be...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not fundamentally disagree with Senator Bacik. She will be aware from other legislation and across a range of bodies to which the Bar Council and the Law Society are asked to provide members, where members will sit on those bodies as representatives of those organisations. I have not heard it said that persons sitting on any State board representing either the Bar Council or the Law...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: All we are doing in section 19 is making perfectly clear the grounds for disqualification and setting out a range of persons who are ineligible to hold office. I do not believe it is inappropriate, notwithstanding what is contained in an earlier section, to state categorically that anybody who is struck off the roll of solicitors or who is disbarred by the benchers of the King's Inns is...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As parliamentarians, I am sure we are all in agreement about the role and function of our parliamentary committees and, in particular, the Committee of Public Accounts. It is unique in terms of its standing among other Dáil committees. Section 21 will only apply where the Committee of Public Accounts has invited the director of the commission to report and give evidence. It is...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is a policy issue as distinct from a resource issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to bring what I am sure members will agree is a good news story and a positive initiative on the part of the Department of Justice and Equality and the European Union. I am joined by my officials, Mr. Donal Kerr and Mr. Patrick McCabe. The purpose of the motion is to seek approval of the Oireachtas to exercise Ireland’s options under the 21st protocol annexed to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland is now a net contributor to the European Union. As such, it is difficult to specify what the Irish contribution to this fund will be as we are benefitting. The fund will be drawn down by Ireland. As our contribution must be seen as part of our overall EU contribution, it is not possible to identify how much we will contribute to the particular scheme or programme. Rather, we will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is an EU fund totalling €2.5 billion and we will benefit under the scheme. We will not make a contribution to the fund as such.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Which we do anyway.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There will be two committees, including a domestic Garda audit committee, which will monitor spending domestically. As with all EU funds, there are strict EU audit guidelines. In this regard, there is a specifically designated monitoring committee, which will be chaired by an official in my Department. The committee will be charged with the responsibility of monitoring the funding and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As to how often the committee will sit-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It has not sat as yet.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It meets on a regular basis and keeps in constant contact with An Garda Síochána and any other interested body.