Results 14,181-14,200 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: They could well be.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Norris speaks of grotesque inconsistencies. Were he to read objectively back over the record of his own contributions, even today alone, he might not be too keen to withhold the word “grotesque” when he speaks of inconsistency.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There is no inconsistency because the Senator will be aware that the purpose of Chapter 2, to which he referred, is to address the recommendation process instituted by the commission under the Bill's provisions.The arrangements which are proposed under section 44 aim to do exactly what Senator Norris suggested earlier, namely, deal with the exceptional cases of seniority, the three most...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Bacik and I appear to be at one on the matter of section 44 dealing with the three most senior positions. As I indicated to Senator McDowell, it is my intention to give further consideration and scrutiny to the issue and seek advice on how best we can propose a form of senior appointments committee on Report Stage. I am disappointed that Senator McDowell indicated that he would have...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There was high dudgeon.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senators were swinging from the rafters.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: And what happened?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The review is at an advanced stage and nearing completion. It is vitally important that victims of sexual assault feel able to report matters to An Garda Síochána. It is equally important that complainants in sexual assault cases are spared any unnecessary distress in the investigation and prosecution of such offences and cases. As Deputy O'Callaghan noted, a review of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the bulk of what Deputy O'Callaghan has to say and acknowledge his expertise in this matter. I am very keen to listen to what all Deputies have to say on this important issue because it is essential we have appropriate legal protections available to complainants. I acknowledge again the work, assistance, guidance and leadership of many of the non-governmental organisations on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am concerned about the specific issue of delay and the time lapse from the date upon which a complaint is initially reported to the matter appearing in court. This is an issue that is being looked at by the review group, and I do not wish to pre-empt its findings, but I want to acknowledge that there have been significant improvements in the manner in which victims are treated within the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of appropriate expertise in An Garda Síochána as its members undertake important work on a daily basis and, in the issue raised by Deputy O'Callaghan, work of a sensitive and personal nature. The setting up by the Garda Commissioner of the divisional protective services units is one of the actions outlined in the second national strategy on domestic,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of the specialist training to which the Deputy refers. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that all Garda personnel receive training in the investigation of incidents considered to be domestic abuse in all its forms with additional training provided to gardaí who have been selected for duties as detectives. Further and more specific training has been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy makes a reasonable point. I acknowledge an increase of 8% in the Garda Síochána Vote in the recent budget. There is €1.7 billion available to the Garda Commissioner to engage in the type of activity he believes is important to ensure the issues raised are dealt with. I am informed that all Garda personnel receive training in the matter of domestic abuse. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. She has long been a voice against cruelty and neglect and has debated the subject on a number of occasions in the House and at committee. It is also appropriate that I pay tribute to the important role played by animal welfare charities such as the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA, and the Dublin Society for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The two issues on which I want to be of assistance to the Deputy are appropriate Garda training and the nature of the material that is recorded by the Garda on the PULSE system. As stated, many of the issues involved here are more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I say that in the context of my wish to ensure that any issues particular to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to see how matters can be taken forward in order to assist the Deputy further. I acknowledged earlier that the specific information sought by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan is not recorded on PULSE. However, the Garda authorities advise that PULSE incident types classified as control of horses and offences against animals, which from a search of a narratives appear to relate to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The possession, sale and supply of controlled drugs is governed almost entirely by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.  The possession of any controlled substance without due authorisation is an offence under the Act.  The legislation distinguishes between possession for personal use, which is dealt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raises a very important issue which exercises many Members including, I am sure, Deputies O'Callaghan and Curran, who are seated beside him. I want to refer to the effectiveness of the minimum mandatory sentence for drug offences to which the Deputy refers. While acknowledging, as Deputy Brendan Smith does, the separation of powers and that the matter of sentencing is an issue...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of this question. The review to which I referred earlier on the principle underpinning mandatory sentencing is still under consideration by my Department. On completion of that consideration, I would be happy to share the contents of the review with Deputies and, more particularly, the justice committee. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Rural Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the general legal position in respect of trespass is that it is a civil wrong and, for the most part, can be addressed by means of a civil remedy through the courts. I acknowledge the interest of various farm and rural organisations, particularly the IFA, in this issue. I meet regularly with representatives of the IFA in my constituency of Laois-Offaly. The...