Results 16,541-16,560 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources, including provision for the repair of specialist equipment, is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. I have asked the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, there has been an unprecedented level of investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years, including a budgetary allocation of €1.76 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2019. Significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána in terms of the Garda fleet, ICT infrastructure and the Garda estate. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Recruitment (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The candidate was successful in an open competition for the post in question and I can confirm that the Human Resources Division in my Department has been in contact with all successful applicants. Following the standard pre-contract requirements being finalised, the Department is now in a position to agree a start date with the candidate.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigrant Investor Programme Administration (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) provides non-EEA nationals with a number of options to invest in Ireland, and successful applicants are granted a permission to reside in Ireland for a fixed period. Applications are assessed by an Evaluation Committee, composed of senior civil and public servants from relevant Irish Government Departments and State Agencies involved in enterprise...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Whatever about a preposition, Senator Norris's premonition about the Minister's disposition is correct.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will not accept the amendment for two reasons. I will not do anything, nor would I encourage anybody to do anything, that might in any way encroach upon the independence of the commission. If there are issues of merit in the submission made by Senator McDowell in support of this amendment, they would be properly dealt with by the commission. Having regard to its independence, I am...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I listened carefully to what both Senators had to say and the more I listen to Senator McDowell, the more I believe the points he makes in support of his amendment are already catered for under section 50, which has already been debated and passed. The only other point I would make is that there is a representative of all the courts on the commission in any event. It will be the job of the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Ultimately, the allocation of particular judges to a particular division of the courts will be for the President, in consultation with the appropriate members of the commission or whatever.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The general thrust of the Bill is that the commission will make the recommendation to Government. Government will act on that in accordance with its constitutional requirement and appointment will be made. There is, of course, the role for the President of Ireland and then it will be for the president of the court to make the allocation in accordance with the needs and requirements of the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is not that I am entirely opposed to the letter and spirit of the amendment; it is already covered. I do not wish to go as far as Senator McDowell.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have made my position clear. The only other point I would make is that a judge is appointed ultimately having regard to consideration on the part of the commission and on the part of the Government and then back for an allocation in the normal way by the president of the court to which the appointment is appropriate. If we followed the Senator's logic, we could have a situation where a...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have listened to the level of detail offered by all the Senators which can be condensed in short to a mandatory requirement in respect of consultation. I point out to them that the approval of statements by the commission under section 54, which covers everything that Senator McDowell has said. As far as consultation is concerned, section 54(3) clearly states: "The Commission shall...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I would be prepared to look at that. On the substance of the amendment, the point being raised seems to whether there is sufficient oversight regarding the publication of the statements. I say there is. I hear what the Senators have said. I am not prepared to accept the amendment at this point but I will be happy to reflect on the points made. I believe we have sufficient oversight and...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is not because of the Bill; it is because of the Constitution.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: No. I think the Senator is burning oil. I think the amendment should be put.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have listened carefully to Senator McDowell and would refer him to my earlier submission prior to the previous vote when I spoke about the existence of the President. I will go further now and speak about the importance of the President and, in that context, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I can anticipate what Senator McDowell is going to say. He is going to say that it would be logical to accept this as a consequence of the acceptance of the other amendment and I am prepared to so do.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I regard my primary obligation as Minister for Justice is to ensure that our criminal justice code is robust by way of legislation. I keep matters under review. I share the Deputy's concern on organised and gangland crime. I am in constant contact with the Garda authorities. The Taoiseach spoke earlier about the unprecedented level of resources. I would be happy to engage with the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (29 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy has raised three issues pertaining to his constituency. As far as Clonmel Garda station is concerned, the new Garda headquarters for Clonmel is part of a public-private partnership, PPP, project. I expect that development will be commencing there later in the year. On Garda numbers, as we have already heard, there are in excess of 14,000 gardaí on the force. I expect to...