Results 1,781-1,800 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: My concern related to section 3.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot let the Minister away with an assertion that this blocking technology can be successful on a pilot basis in the Midlands Prison and not in Portlaoise because of the hospital. The Midlands Prison in which the pilot project is working is actually in closer proximity to the hospital than is Portlaoise Prison where the gangsters are. Any evidence of operating criminal activities from...

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have any real or substantive objection to this amendment. I note this is an additional list. I take it from what the Minister has read that is an additional amendment he has brought forward on the Garda uniform and items of Garda equipment.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The difficulty with that is that the list goes on and on. It is indicative of rushed legislation if, before we have agreed the Schedule, the Minister is already adding to it. I dare say that between now and the end of the debate there may be other items the Minister might be open to considering but I do not have any objection to the principle of listing the items in legislation.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: We are dealing here with important safeguards long since established on the provision of evidence when dealing with the proof of a criminal organisation but the Minister, by virtue of his amendment No. 2a, is going in the opposite direction to that I am proposing in amendment No. 3. I would be concerned about the absence of appropriate safeguards. I do not wish to impugn in any way the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Question 363: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have voluntarily retired to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27706/09]

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Question 364: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide an update of the data requested in Parliamentary Question No. 568 of 24 March 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27707/09]

Order of Business (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: A swimming pool in Roscrea.

Order of Business (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: A real sign an election is looming if it features in the headlines.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I do not intend to oppose the Minister, but I am disappointed that his amendment will extend the period of time for review by a further year. If he or his successor is so minded, it could be six years before a matter is revisited in any meaningful sense. I accept that a timeframe of three months was ambitious, but a review could be embarked upon within a reasonable period of, for example,...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: We debated this on Committee Stage and maybe the Minister will put me right but my understanding is that this deals with a defamation action that has already commenced.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The definition of an action in the interpretation section makes clear that an action means after proceedings have issued or an application has been made to the court. The speed with which an apology may be forthcoming is important.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Could the requirement to confirm it in printed form be included in the code of practice as an accepted norm? It is difficult to see how an immediate apology must be published within a certain early timeframe when we are dealing with what happens after an action has commenced. That will be after a considerable delay in any event because proceedings will not issue within a week, unless the...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that an apology should be forthcoming at the earliest possible opportunity, otherwise the damage will be compounded. If the Minister does not propose to accept the amendment, he should set about finding an alternative that will meet the very valid point to which it relates. I received correspondence similar to that to which Deputy Kennedy referred. I accept that a...

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: This is highly unsatisfactory as important issues arise.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I know. Notwithstanding this, an important issue is at hand, which was raised by Deputy Kennedy and which requires reassurance from the Minister. Moreover, there are also other issues pertaining to this debate, to which Members will make no reference. The manner in which this legislation has been treated is disgraceful.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The word "endlessly" is unfair.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The time is up.

Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I wish the Seanad better luck with the Bill than Members had in the Dáil.

Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Bill 2009: Second Stage (8 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Great minds.