Results 16,401-16,420 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: A couple of days ago, the Deputy published the Domestic Violence (No-contact order) (Amendment) Bill 2019. This Bill provides for a new no-contact order that would enable a court to prohibit the respondent from communicating with the applicant where the respondent has subjected the applicant to harassment. The Bill defines harassment as conduct that has occurred on at least two occasions...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the sentiment expressed by the Deputy, but it appears that the Deputy publishes a Bill on Tuesday and wants it enacted by Friday.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is aware that there is a Dáil and Seanad process and I ask her to acknowledge the existence of that process in her utterances in the Chamber and outside. I remind her of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 which has been fully operational since 1 January last. It improves the protections available to victims of domestic violence under both the civil and criminal law. In...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: This Government is committed to continuing its work in providing protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence and holding perpetrators to account. I will approach the Bill published a few days ago by Deputy Coppinger with that commitment firmly in mind.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Broughan makes a very important point. I am seriously concerned about this issue. It was discussed in detail by the Garda Commissioner with the Committee of Public Accounts last Thursday. I am in complete agreement with the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, that this behaviour is a blatant abuse of the criminal justice process. Under the Road Traffic Acts, the penalty for driving...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I share the Deputy's concern and these figures are stark and totally unacceptable. I wish to acknowledge the importance of enforcement, which is crucial. The development and supply of handheld devices under the Garda mobility strategy will facilitate more effective road traffic enforcement via front-line access and real-time information, including relating to drivers who may be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I attend, on a regular basis, the joint ministerial meeting with Ms Murdock and her team, as well as other stakeholders and departments, and this is an issue I would be happy to pursue on an urgent basis. As noted by the Committee of Public Accounts last Thursday, An Garda Síochána is currently preparing a series of actions to address the issue of the non-surrender of licences,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Private Security Authority (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I secured Government approval last month to bring the regulation of private security personnel, employed to assist in enforcing court orders, within the remit of the Private Security Authority. The proposals for this measure and related matters are contained in the report of an interdepartmental working group, which was published on my Department’s website on 9 April 2019. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Private Security Authority (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Work is proceeding apace. I mentioned that I am in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. There is a responsibility to ensure that any legislation is legally sound and capable of implementation. I acknowledge the proposals in the Private Members' Private Security Firms Bill. As the Deputy will recall, that Bill unopposed on 31 January last. It was agreed that Second Stage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Private Security Authority (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge once again the Deputy's contribution in the matter of the Private Members' Bill, which will inform work in this area, as should be the case. It is important that we proceed to specify what will be a new category of persons, the enforcement guard, that this category will be strictly defined and that we can proceed with the appropriate legislation in draft form at the earliest...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Time Zones (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in this issue. The proposal from the European Commission would end seasonal clock changes with effect from 2021, with each member state electing whether to remain on summer or winter time all year round. This proposal remains under discussion and has yet to be adopted. In this regard, discussions with members states on this proposal are ongoing via...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Time Zones (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge once again the Deputy's interest in this issue over a number for years. I want to make one point clear. Ireland is one among of a number of member states that have argued strongly that more time is required to properly consider the proposal. Contrary to media reports, to date, we have not formally supported the proposal that has been put forward. A particular consideration...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Time Zones (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is important to acknowledge that there is a wide range of opinions on the merits of ending seasonal clock changes. There are some school students in the Public Gallery. I am sure that if we were to ask their opinion, we would get a wide and diverse range of responses.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Time Zones (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: This issue may form part of school projects. I would be very happy to engage or receive proposals in that regard. There is a large measure of uncertainty around the question of harmonisation between adjoining countries. I refer specifically to the issue of whether our UK neighbours will remain in the European Union, which provides us with a real challenge in regard to the island of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: From changes of time to gangland crime - such is the breadth of responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality. I assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime and those involved in it is an ongoing priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána. Multi-disciplinary approaches are used by An Garda Síochána to ensure the activities of individuals and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raises an important point. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda youth diversion projects. With specific reference to youth involvement in gangland activity, my Department funded research in the form of the Greentown report undertaken at the University of Limerick. This research outlines how the influence of criminal networks increases the level of offending by a small...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I highlight the importance of engaging in international best practice and informing ourselves as to occurrences or practice in other jurisdictions. I referred to specific research in that regard. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda youth diversion projects which have been operating for many years. They play a very important role in assisting vulnerable children to make more...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: A licence under the provisions of the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and issued by the Revenue Commissioners following submission of an appropriate court certificate by the applicant is required in order to permit the sale, supply or exposure for sale of intoxicating liquor in specified premises. As the Deputy will be aware, such licences are renewed annually. The performance of music and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for commencing an important conversation on this issue. I was previously Chair of a liquor licensing committee here. These areas of law are complex and we need balance. Deputy O'Callaghan speaks of what is primarily a music entertainment venture but one that facilitates the sale of intoxicating liquor. Would the liquor or the music be most prominent? I want to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have an open mind on the further development or enhancement of what can be described as current arrangements. I stress that any enhancement or further consideration will involve proper consultation. Proper consultation will involve a number of stakeholders. However, that should not be a barrier to seeing how best this issue might be addressed. I am conscious that any changes would have...