Results 13,281-13,300 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sexual Offences Data (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the opportunity to address this important topic raised by Senator Ruane and I congratulate her on her recent publication. I acknowledge her courage and bravery in the many interviews and public engagements she has undertaken in recent weeks. It is my belief that she has started a national conversation and, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I very much welcome that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sexual Offences Data (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased that this debate is taking place and I thank Senator Ruane for engaging on it. I am here, as Minister, to hear her views and take her advices on the issue. I will do that because sexual violence is a sensitive issue and a gross violation of the individual, not only physically but psychologically and emotionally. Due to the complexities, undertaking a survey into the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Colm Burke for raising this matter. It is distressing when the remains of deceased people are sometimes discovered on land or washed ashore on our coasts, as in the case mentioned by the Senator. The relevant State authorities make every effort to identify such people by whatever means possible. I am informed by coroners that fortunately there are very few cases in which...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Senator that I have asked the various divisions and agencies under the remit of my Department to study carefully his proposal for the establishment of a special section to deal with the remains of unidentified people. I will not be in a position to give a definitive response until that consideration has been completed. I commend the Senator on his interest in this matter. I am...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Data (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Earlier this week, the CSO published its second quarterly crime statistics release of 2018 "under reservation". As the Deputy will be aware, the CSO formally recommenced the publication of the statistics on 28 March by issuing the full-year figures for 2017. This is a vitally important development for a number of reasons but particularly for the management of criminal justice policy and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Data (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am not.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Data (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Kelly and the House that I am determined to ensure that a strong focus remains on the need for improvements in this area. I welcome ongoing collaboration between the CSO and the Garda Síochána and, having regard to the important oversight role of the Policing Authority, I am sure that Deputy Kelly will agree it is entirely appropriate that this matter be the subject...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Expenditure (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was refused for reasons provided to the person concerned in a letter issued on 6 February 2018 advising of the decision. There is no appeals process provided for under legislation. However, it is open to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons concerned are the subject of Deportation Orders made on 15 September 2017. These orders require the persons concerned to remove themselves from the State and to remain out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa for any purpose. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits, with the Visa Officer having regard to all of the information and documentation available. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that if an application for International Protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications and the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office directly either by email to...

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

Charles Flanagan: We were discussing section 22 when we reported progress last week.

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

Charles Flanagan: That is exactly where we were, in accordance with my recollection, deferring as I do, to Senators on all occasions. There was an impression given in the course of the engagement on the section that this was something completely new and different and without precedent. However, there is nothing unusual about the section. This provision has become a standard insertion in legislation such as...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am not currently au faitwith the status but certainly on occasions in the past, it was a committee of some substance. I assume that is still the case, until I am convinced to the contrary. Section 19 of the Data Protection Act 2018 provides for the accountability of the Data Protection Commissioner to Oireachtas committees other than the two committees mentioned as regards the general...

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

Charles Flanagan: I do not wish to interfere in any way with the debate but it might be appropriate to suggest we deal with section 22 first.

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

Charles Flanagan: It will be for the ease of the debate. We will come back to Senator McDowell's very valid points and the queries he raised on the last occasion. I am very keen to address them but maybe not now.

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

Charles Flanagan: I suggest we deal with that at that stage.

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

Charles Flanagan: I know, but my concern on behalf of Senators is that we will fail to distinguish between the point at issue, which is the question of accountability or otherwise of the chair of the new body to the Oireachtas committee, and the point the Senator is making. I accept the validity of what he is saying but I am concerned about the structure of the debate.

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

Charles Flanagan: I most certainly will not accept that any aspect of this Bill is a nonsense. In fact, Senator Norris said in his opening comments that his fundamental disagreement with sections such as this is well known because he opposed such measures in the past in similar legislation.