Results 17,681-17,700 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In actual fact-----

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----the Garda plan drawn up by the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris, and his team has the full support of independent bodies like the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. It represents an integral part of the reform proposals as outlined in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, chaired by the expert, Ms Kathleen O'Toole. I do not...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will refer briefly to the national drugs strategy. I acknowledge the work that Senator Ned O'Sullivan has done over a number of years, quietly and without the glare of publicity, on the issue of national drugs policy and the scourge that drugs present in society. Recent intelligence-led operations have resulted in significant drug seizures by the Garda, including in the Ballyfermot and...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what Senators Ó Donnghaile, Conway and others have done on the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. I assure the Senators that I take seriously the reports of that committee and am happy to engage further with it on the important and valuable report that was published earlier this year and that we had an opportunity of debating at plenary level in the Dáil before...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for the question.  Public safety is an absolute priority for me as Minister for Justice and Equality.  Working to reduce reoffending and minimising the risk of further harm to victims and society through the implementation of an effective and evidence-based penal policy is a key part of that task. I welcome the CSO's publication of last...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There are many positive aspects to the report. I am not surprised, nor would I expect anything from Deputy O'Callaghan other than that he would concentrate on the negative aspects. I accept what he says in so far as the report clearly identifies that reoffending is highest among those originally sentenced in respect of robbery and burglary. Rates of recidivism within three years was 72.3%...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There are a number of programmes and I acknowledge the work of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, who is sitting beside me. He is working actively on a new youth justice strategy. I want to mention the success of the community return programme and the community support programme. In particular, in respect of youth crime, I acknowledge the importance of the Garda youth...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the roll-out of the new operating model of An Garda Síochána, announced last month by the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris. It meets a key commitment in the implementation plan, following publication last year of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. This model has been long recommended by independent policing specialists,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy asked me two questions, one of which was on headquarters. I assure the House the regional headquarters have been decided by the Garda Commissioner and his team having regard to a number of factors, including population, geography, projected growth, crime trends and the workload in various streams. The Deputy also asked whether I have confidence in the new plan. I very much do...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The record allocation to the Garda Vote will continue into the future. I have every confidence in the Garda Commissioner and his team to ensure the best use of the funding allocated. The new model means more sergeants and inspectors in communities. It means less bureaucracy and duplication at senior Garda level. It means more decision-making powers at local level. It means a greater...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the new Garda operating model, announced last month by the Garda Commissioner, has been long recommended by independent policing specialists, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and in the expert Commission on the Future of Policing report published last year. I very much welcome and support the roll-out by the Commissioner, Drew Harris,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I hope I was mistaken when I heard Deputy McGrath on his local radio station last week say that the people of Tipperary and his constituents would have to go to Ennis to report crime.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Nothing could be further from the truth. Garda stations in Tipperary will continue to be supported, augmented and strengthened as a result of this plan. An Garda Síochána is a growing organisation. There are 14,200 gardaí nationwide supported by over 2,700 Garda staff. Since the reopening of the Garda training college in Templemore, in the Deputy's constituency,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will use the example which the Deputy has repeatedly referred to in the House and beyond, since the Garda Commissioner announced the new model. Under the new model the existing Tipperary and Clare divisions will be merged and will form part of the new southern region. The Commissioner has decided that the divisional HQ will be in Ennis, County Clare. This is an operational issue. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----and to continue to support me in my endeavours to fund adequately the Garda service in County Tipperary-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----and throughout the country.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Reorganisation (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I look forward to seeing him in Templemore, where 200 new gardaí will be attested.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I join the Deputy in condemning unequivocally the horrific attack on Mr. Lunney in recent times. It is my hope, as I am sure it is of every Deputy, that those responsible will be brought to justice. Policing in the Border region has always presented particular challenges that necessitate a collaborative approach to policing between law enforcement agencies North and South of the Border....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: While I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a CAB-style cross-Border agency, I am satisfied the existing co-operative arrangements are effective. Advancing any new proposal would require detailed negotiation and, as the Deputy noted, engagement with the British Government, which has responsibility for some of the agencies involved and would have to be a party to conclude any...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Operations (3 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I spent a day on the Border last week in Counties Fermanagh and Cavan. I acknowledge the advice and public contributions of Members such as Deputies Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth, and my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, as well as the challenge of Border policing. I reiterate the excellent level of ongoing co-operation between An Garda...