Results 17,661-17,680 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Capital Expenditure Programme (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to advise the Deputy that there were no capital projects in excess of €10m completed by my Department since 2014. I have requested that relevant Agencies under the remit of my Department and operating under a separate Vote structure (Courts Service, Prison Service and An Garda Síochána) respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Policy (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the publication of the report referred to by the Deputy. Women’s Aid have campaigned tirelessly to highlight the impact of domestic violence and the report referred to provides important first-hand accounts of the abuse suffered by victims of domestic abuse. Understanding the experience of such victims is important to me as Minister and greatly assists in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Issues (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, policing in the border region has always presented particular challenges. These necessitate a collaborative approach to policing with law enforcement agencies north and south of the border. In November 2015, the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive agreed a series of measures in the agreement A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I sympathise enormously with the families of the 48 young people tragically killed in the Stardust fire 38 years ago for the terrible loss they suffered. The fire was one of the most harrowing events that has ever happened in Dublin and it has left a horrendous legacy of grief and pain. In April, the Victims Committee presented a formal petition to the Attorney General to direct a second...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. The Deputy will be aware that investment in Garda ICT infrastructure was emphasised in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I understand that the Deputy's reference to visas actually refers to the granting of citizenship through naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Data (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy may wish to note that EEA nationals residing in Ireland, including UK citizens, are not required to register their presence in the State with my Department. My Department, therefore, does not hold the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of UK nationals resident in the State. In relation to the question of UK citizens who hold an Irish passport, this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, and this includes the provision of information on the courts system. I have requested information from the Courts Service in relation to this matter and the Courts Service has stated it will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for managing An Garda Síochána, including in relation to personnel matters. Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda members...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I agree fully.

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the opportunity to be in the Seanad to listen to the Senators' views. I acknowledge the importance of the motion. I very much value the contributions of the Senators who have spoken. Having read the motion, I believe the issue is further strengthened by the countermotion proposed by Senator Conway, which speaks for itself. In the time available to me I do not intend to speak on...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In the Garda public attitudes survey for the first quarter of 2019, when respondents were asked about crime nationally, 71% perceived crime nationally as a very serious or serious problem, compared with only 16% who considered local crime to be a very serious or serious problem. It is important that we are all conscious about the impact that fear of crime can have on people's lives and, in...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Ned O'Sullivan was correct when he referred to the importance of the integrity of Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. I welcome the support of Senators on a cross-party basis in that regard, as we must ensure we continue to amplify our twin objectives in the context of Brexit, irrespective of what happens. We need to acknowledge and maintain the integrity of the Good Friday...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In fact-----

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In fact, the opposite will be the case, as there will be more gardaí than ever on the front line.

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We will have more sergeants than ever. We will have more inspectors.

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Senators do not like hearing this because it means there will be more gardaí-----

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----in Carlow as well as in Monaghan and Cavan.

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I hear Senators and, in the Lower House, Deputies talking about the merging of areas as though no two counties can be under the same chief superintendent. There are already divisions with more than one county in several locations around the State. I represent the constituency of Laois-Offaly. Since the foundation of the State, both counties have been policed from a Garda headquarters in...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----and into informing constituents of what the Senators believe they would like to hear.