Results 14,561-14,580 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Motor Insurance Fraud (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is aware that the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG) proposed exploring the possibility that a specific unit, funded by the insurance industry, be established within the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) to tackle insurance fraud. The Deputy will also be aware that the GNECB has engaged with Insurance Ireland in relation to this matter and submitted a mechanism...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In furtherance of this commitment, a grant-aid scheme to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas is being administered by my Department. Eligible groups, including community groups and local authorities, can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility to manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that it is his intention to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí in 2019. At the same...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Promotions (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Commission on the Future of Policing have reiterated the need for appropriate support and supervision for Garda recruits, and also the importance of having a greater number of Sergeants and Inspectors deployed to provide supervision in frontline policing. The need for greater operational supervision was also highlighted by the Culture Audit of An Garda Síochána which was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Assisted Decision Making (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015. New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission (a body under the Department of Health), must...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing and I understand that the case is due to be submitted to me for my decision shortly. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has not received an application for grant-aid from the Council referred to. I can however confirm that my officials are available to assist any interested groups who wish to take advantage of the availability of the grant aid scheme. The Deputy will be aware that CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased to introduce the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018 to the House. The Bill is significant for two main reasons. The first is that it will enable Ireland to prosecute violent crimes committed abroad by Irish citizens and residents in certain states. The second is that it is the final legislative action that is required to enable Ireland to ratify the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I sincerely thank Senators, not only for facilitating this debate in what is a very busy week for Seanadóirí, but also to acknowledge their input and views on what is an important piece of legislation. The primary aim of ratifying the Istanbul Convention is to combat violence against women and violence in a domestic setting. It is an issue I acknowledge that we all feel strongly...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I did not mean to touch a nerve with Senator Boyhan, but I obviously-----

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I obviously did touch a nerve. In the spirit of Christmas, however, I hope we will have an opportunity to engage constructively on any similar related items of legislation which we are anxious to pass through the House in a timely and appropriate way. To Senator Higgins I say that the National Women's Council of Ireland last week called for this convention to be ratified in advance of, or...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senators for their valuable contributions. I hope we can work together to ensure that the Bill will be enacted as soon as possible. I have taken note of some of the issues raised by Senators and I look forward to the Committee Stage debate.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Howlin for the question. I agree with him regarding the priority nature of this legislation. I acknowledge a group within my Department that is working closely with Deputy Howlin and others to ensure the legislation, as drafted, can be fit for purpose. I expect progress on this issue early in the new year and I assure Deputies, in particular Deputy Howlin, that I will keep...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Repossessions (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputies are aware, a High Court order was executed last week for repossession of a property at Falsk, County Roscommon. As the Deputies appreciate, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the management and conduct of cases which are brought before them and I have no role in the matter. Sheriffs are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Home Repossessions (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Although any repossession of property is deeply regrettable, the number of repossessions is declining. The latest statistics from the Courts Service for this year indicate a downward trend in the lodgement of applications for possession orders. In addition, the total number of repossession orders granted by the courts in quarter 2 of this year is down on that in previous years. It should...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together. The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have been made aware of this study, which was published on 11 December 2018 and my officials are considering its findings. However, I would note that none of the quantitative studies cited in the study examined the effects of the criminalisation of sex purchase in isolation, and only one of the 37 qualitative studies cited dealt with the Swedish approach to decriminalisation which was the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that, as per Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 22 November 2018, the then Director General of the Irish Prison Service reviewed the file relating to the person named in 2017 and was satisfied that proper procedures were followed in relation to his dismissal. I am further advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (19 Dec 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: Legislative Programme (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is currently engaged in an overhaul of the existing primary explosives legislation. A comprehensive new Explosives Bill is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.