Results 16,241-16,260 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigrant Investor Programme Applications (8 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (8 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the legislative basis for temporary release is fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. An application can be made by a prisoner through the Governor of the prison in which they are located. Each application is considered on its individual merits and the safety of the public...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (8 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy may be referring to plans to introduce a role for the Ombudsman in the prisoner complaints system. The late Judge Reilly, who was independent of Government in his post of Inspector, carried out a review of the prisoner complaints system in June 2016 and made a number of recommendations. This report, entitled “Review, Evaluation and Analysis of the Operation of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drugs Crime (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: My understanding is that this Topical Issue matter concerns violence related issues in Drogheda. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to confirm that that is the case.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drugs Crime (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am acutely conscious of the serious concerns of the people of Drogheda. I totally condemn the disgraceful criminal behaviour and reckless violence committed by a small number of violent thugs in that area in recent times. In particular, I condemn the very serious issue of drug related intimidation which impacts greatly on our communities and society as a whole, especially families. I...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drugs Crime (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: An Garda Síochána put Operation Stratus in place to prevent, detect and mitigate against any further escalation of violence between the groups involved. I am informed that the measures to strengthen this operation, which are being discussed within An Garda Síochána, will be highly effective. On Tuesday, 30 April, Commissioner Harris announced that he will appoint an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Drugs Crime (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda authorities advise that every effort will be made to disrupt the activities of these groups, arrest and prosecute offenders, and deny access to road networks to those involved. Liaison is ongoing with the relevant stakeholders, including Tusla, the HSE and the local authority. I welcome Deputy O'Dowd's meeting tomorrow. Every Member of the House wishes them well in their...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of this issue and thank Deputy Crowe for raising it. First, I acknowledge that taxi drivers can work in an environment that puts them at a higher risk of being attacked during the course of their work. There is no doubt that we should do as much as possible to protect them. Taxi drivers have highlighted the potential dangers of the job. They work alone, often...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister, Deputy Ross, and I speak on an almost daily basis in respect of this and other issues of importance. I want to make it quite clear that the type of criminal behaviour to which Deputy Crowe refers has no place in society and will not be tolerated. An Garda Síochána is very much alive to this issue, but that does not alter the difficulties it is encountering in trying...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 75 together. 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 but has not yet been fully commenced. The Act provides for the establishment of new administrative processes and support measures,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing An Garda Síochána including the manner in which the resources of the Garda Síochána are deployed and I, as Minister, have no direct role in this regard. The Deputy will be aware that Rathcoole Garda Station forms part of the Clondalkin District in the Dublin Metropolitan Region...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Section 29 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 provides that a person shall not qualify for legal aid or advice unless he or she satisfies the requirements in respect of financial eligibility specified in the Act and in the regulations made under the Act. The financial eligibility criteria are provided for under the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017 and in particular Regulations 13 to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Standards (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to advise the Deputy that prison Governors are required by law to accept all prisoners into their custody who have been committed to prison by the Courts. The Irish Prison Service therefore has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. The actual number of beds available on a given day can be less than the capacity figure as cells may be unavailable for...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I hesitate to interrupt Senator McDowell but we are now into the realm, once again, of Second Stage type contributions.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I would not rule it out.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am not against the amendment but I do have a reservation. We debated this issue earlier at some length in respect of amendment No. 93b. The only difference between what we have in amendment No. 96a and amendment No. 93b is that we are now dealing with a period of time, namely, three years-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----whereas amendment No. 93b simply referred to the past. I am not convinced that three years is an appropriate cut-off point.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I accept the point that the eventuality outlined by Senator McDowell needs consideration. I will give it consideration. I wish to reflect further on the time span of three years. My preference - and I say this in the context of more general remarks Senator McDowell made at the start of this debate - is to revisit this issue on Report Stage because I believe that that is the due process and...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: A workable amendment. I would be happy to engage with Senator McDowell on the matter. I am not sure from where the period of three years comes from.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Senator is straying from the point.