Results 15,521-15,540 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of ensuring that this jurisdiction fully monitors international best practice and developments. We should note exchanges and the open recruitment policy of An Garda Síochána in order to facilitate persons who may have experience in other police services applying to An Garda Síochána. I once again record the importance of the appointment of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Divisional Headquarters (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda building and refurbishment programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious five-year programme based on agreed Garda priorities, which continues to benefit over 30 locations around the country, underpinned by significant Exchequer funding across the Garda and Office of Public Works Votes.  In addition to that programme, other major works to the Garda estate which are ongoing include...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Divisional Headquarters (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the interest of Deputy McLoughlin in the acquisition of the site for the Garda station in Sligo and in ensuring that the legal, technical and design issues can be dealt with as expeditiously as possible in order to ensure that the Garda in Sligo have every modern resource available to them in the course of their duties. That includes a modern and fit-for-purpose Garda station....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Divisional Headquarters (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy of a desire on the part of Government to proceed with these projects as quickly as possible. Deputy McLoughlin may wish to know that as well as advancing the Garda station in Sligo, I am informed that a total of 52 vehicles will be allocated to the Sligo-Leitrim division as of March 2019. This includes a total of 28 vehicles allocated to Sligo district, eight in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Domestic Violence Act 2018 is landmark legislation which significantly enhanced the legal protections available to victims of this appalling form of violence. I was pleased to commence all the provisions of the Act, including the provision which created a new offence of coercive control, on 1 January last. This offence recognises the psychological abuse aspect of domestic violence. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As I outlined in my reply, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for ensuring that members of An Garda Síochána are trained. As Minister, I do not have a direct role in that regard. As I already outlined, I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a number of training measures continue to be taken to ensure that gardaí have a solid understanding of this...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy, having regard to the importance of Ireland's ratification of the Istanbul Convention from 8 March last, that every effort will be made to ensure that there is full compliance. In that regard, the House might note that the State will be subject to ongoing international monitoring by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Smith will be aware, this matter has been addressed on a number of occasions in the recent weeks and months by me in the Dáil and Seanad and in public statements, as well as in other fora.  However, I welcome the opportunity to update the House on matters relating to the circumstances of the tragic death of the late Mr. Shane O'Farrell. Following the Dáil...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy should not misrepresent the role of Judge Haughton in this important and sensitive issue, and he is engaging directly with the O'Farrell family. Of course, it is open to Judge Haughton to propose changes to the terms of reference to me and following his review I expect he will advise me on any remaining unanswered questions that should be the subject of further inquiry or...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am intent on ensuring that everything possible is done to ensure the failings identified in any investigation are not repeated. The motion passed by the Dáil last year referred to the need to examine the actions of the Garda, the Director Public Prosecutions and the courts but I remind Deputies of the constitutional independence of the courts and the statutory independence of the...

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Bill before the House is the Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2018 which started life as a Private Member’s Bill in Seanad Éireann and which passed all Stages in that House in June of last year. I hope it can be enacted speedily given the overwhelmingly positive support which it has attracted to date. Prior to...

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what I perceive to be all-party support as well as support from the Independent benches for this important and sensitive legislation. I thank all the Deputies for their comments and I look forward to working together to ensure we pass this legislation in due course.

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service Data (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, the Probation Service is an agency of my Department working to reduce offending, create safer communities and fewer victims through offender rehabilitation informed by evidence-based practice.  It has a staff of about 400, located in over 35 community-based offices in every county and in every prison.  The Service's budget for 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Firstly I would like to reiterate for the House that with regard to the deployment of Garda resources, including personnel, to specific areas, the Deputy will appreciate that this is solely the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and his management team. I am advised by the Commissioner that the distribution of Garda resources is constantly monitored and a distribution model is used...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents Data (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As I have previously advised the Deputy, I understand that An Garda Síochána does not record road traffic statistics in a way that easily allows for the disaggregation of data in the manner you have requested; that is by vehicle type. However, the Deputy may be aware of the Road Safety Authority's annual Road Collision Factbooks, which provide detailed statistics in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures Data (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: To begin, I believe it is important to clarify that the review panel to which the Deputy is referring was established in order to assess disclosures made to me, in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality, by members or former members of An Garda Síochána.  It is not intended that disclosures made directly to An Garda Síochána fall under this review...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.76 billion for 2019.  These resources are being provided in support of the Government's commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Welfare (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am informed that 67 prisoners have died in prisons in the period from 2011 to 7 March 2019.  All such deaths are the subject of a Garda investigation, an investigation by the Inspector of Prisons, and an inquest held in a Coroner's Court to determine the cause of death.  I understand that the circumstances of each death in custody and incident of self-harm are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistics agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. While the statistical information being sought by the Deputy is not currently being published by the CSO, I can advise the Deputy that my Department received a report from An Garda...