Results 14,201-14,220 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: I do not accept that we are dealing exclusively with civil remedies here. I have already referenced relevant statutes and would add that trespass in respect of buildings is also dealt with in section 11 of the Public Order Act 1994 . Section 13 of that Act refers to the offence of trespassing "without reasonable excuse" on a building or in the vicinity of a building in such a manner as to...

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

Charles Flanagan: I have made reference to at least four pieces of legislation and I again refer to the 1994 Act introduced by the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government. I would be happy to speak to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, to ensure these issues are kept under review. I assure the House that rural crime in general is a key focus for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Courts Service Data (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, including the provision of information on the courts system. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that courts statistics are not compiled in such a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Courts Service Data (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I accept the Deputy's point that while this is primarily an issue for the Department of Health and its agencies, it comes under the justice remit. I would be happy to engage further as needs be. My officials have been informed by the Department of Health that in 2017 the HPRA, working in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and Revenue's customs service, detained almost 500,000...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Courts Service Data (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In line with the Garda Síochána strategy statement for 2016 to 2018, supported by the Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme for the period 2016 to 2021, An Garda Síochána continues to play an important and proactive role in confronting drug-related crime, utilising intelligence-led operations. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the continued interest of the Deputy in this issue. He was the first to raise the matter and he never loses an opportunity to raise what is an important issue to him and to many other Deputies, as well as to me. The illegal use of quad bikes and scramblers gives rise to public safety concerns affecting a significant number of local communities. I have asked my officials to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am acutely aware of the case of Ilabek Avetian. I extend my sympathies to his wife, Anzhela Kotsinian, and to their families. That tragic incident all too sadly highlights how the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes can cause real damage to people, their families and communities. I am committed to actively supporting any positive action in respect of this matter. I have received...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Road Safety (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not want to be repetitive. In any event, the Acting Chairman will not let me. I acknowledge the importance of the cross-departmental and cross-agency group. In the lead-up to Christmas, people will be buying quad bikes and scramblers as presents. These are mechanically propelled vehicles within the meaning of road traffic legislation. As such, irrespective of the engine capacity,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that community CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order of 2006. The legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must conform to three conditions, namely, be approved by the local joint policing committee, JPC, and I acknowledge Deputy Stanley's attendance at a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am keen that progress be reported on this issue. I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in the Garda station in Clonmel, along with others. I had the opportunity to visit the existing Garda station and I agree that it needs to be replaced. The new bundle of public private partnerships for Garda stations has been announced. The Government is committed to ensuring that the bundle, among...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This was the subject matter of detailed questioning earlier. I would have liked it if the Deputy had been present, or had tabled a question. He is, however, correct that I have received the advice of the Attorney General. A cross-governmental group is dealing with this issue and it involves a number of stakeholders and interested parties. I am keen to bring forward proposals that are...

Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2018: First Stage (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: No.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Referendum Campaigns (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Under the timetable approved by Government on 26 September 2017, it is proposed to hold a referendum on divorce together with the European Parliament and local elections in 2019. In that regard, I am advised that the timeframe for the European Parliament elections is 23 to 26 May 2019. The Government has decided to support the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is committed to complying with all of the recommendations of the Ombudsman in relation to the operation of Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme. In relation to the Ombudsman's principal recommendation that the Scheme should be applied to women who worked in the laundry of one of the 12 'Magdalen' Institutions and who were resident in one of 14 adjoining institutions,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The issue raised by the Deputy’s question is a very complex one. It is, however, based on the proposition that an investigation must, necessarily, relate to an individual rather than to conduct which falls below acceptable standards. For the sake of clarity, let me say that if a member, or indeed, former member of An Garda Síochána is accused of a criminal offence, then it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In the first instance, I want to clarify that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the allocation of the very substantial resources that An Garda Síochána receives. I do not interfere in policing matters nor can I direct the Commissioner where to deploy resources. The allocation of Garda resources is solely a matter for the Commissioner, in the light of identified...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Inquiry (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In the first instance, let me again express my sympathy to the family concerned in this tragic case. As Minister, I am very regularly engaged on this case. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded, and has extensive powers under the Garda Síochána Act Act to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The details of the allegations which were published last week in the Irish Examiner are contained in an affidavit to the Court by a prison officer in relation to a personnel issue. The House will understand that I am constrained in what I can say about these proceedings before the courts. That said, these allegations raise serious issues which need to be addressed. I have asked the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, roads policing is one of the key policing priorities contained in Garda annual policing plans. One of the key goals in An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan for the current year was to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads arising from collisions, including those involving cyclists and pedestrians. I am informed that, to this end,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug and Alcohol Testing (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in the operation of Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, or the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which are operational matters for the Garda Commissioner. However, I have obtained a Garda report on the matters referred to in the Deputy's question. The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Transport,...