Results 18,621-18,640 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Anonymous sources.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is out of order.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I merely wish to acknowledge the support of Senators for this important amendment. We have had something between 99 and 125 hours of debate and I do not think anyone would dispute it if we call it 110 hours of debate.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is an important amendment and I reiterate something that I said on numerous occasions in the context of this Bill moving through the House. I reject the allegations of cronyism on the part of anybody in the matter of the appointments of members of the Judiciary.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I firmly state that whether through the JAAB process, or otherwise, to my knowledge there has not been any undue interference in the process as has been alleged by people outside this House. Senator McDowell has spoken about the importance of preserving the independence of the process to the extent that this new commission might be entirely bypassed. That might well be the case. Under our...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It was not bypassed in respect of sitting judges.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is different. I was referring to sitting judges. Over the course of my time in office and that of the Government, I do not believe that the process was disregarded in the manner that the Senator has implied.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The constitutional-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That was an office-holding position.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that, in response to what Senators said, and, indeed, to ensure clarity, that the amendment in the form of the constitutional saver is essential to underscore and clarify, particularly in the context of certain misrepresentations that were made here during the debate, the independence of the Government in respect of its recommendations for nominations to the President. That...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (11 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am happy to look at it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raised an important issue. In the first instance, it is important that we gather appropriate data to allow us make informed decisions. I would be happy to engage further with the Deputy on the issue. Whatever avenues are looked at, we need to be conscious of our national legislation and our EU obligations in this regard.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: CCTV is important for communities in the protection of people from harm. I am pleased to announce an extension of the current scheme to next year. Grant aid is available and moneys have been drawn down. The Deputy mentioned a particular case in Tipperary. My understanding is there is a need for further engagement between Garda headquarters and local gardaí, given that it is a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Stations (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Aindrias Moynihan for raising this matter. I am aware of the Deputy's consistent interest in the provision of a new Garda station in Macroom. I appreciate the reason he has raised the matter again today. The OPW has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a result, all works to the Garda estate involve close co-operation between the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Stations (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot disagree with the Deputy. In fact, a week does not go by without this issue being raised directly with me by my colleague beside me, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed. We are in a period of major reform of our policing services. The implementation of the new policing plan is exciting. It will transform An Garda Síochána. We have the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Stations (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Every effort has been made with the appropriate agencies involved. I met them during the year. There has been a resolution of some legal and conveyancing issues which were giving rise to a delay. I will meet the entire team early in the new year. In the interim, I understand that the Office of Public Works and Garda management are taking steps to improve conditions and facilities in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Stations (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is fine.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Budgets (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The capital allocations for the Justice Sector are set out in the recent Budget Day publication and are as follows; 2020- €265 million 2021 - €208 million 2022 - €216 million The 2020 allocation of €265 million is spread across the votes in the Justice Vote Group with the Department's vote being allocated almost €40 million – mainly for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The position is that, with effect from 3 February 2014, the monetary jurisdiction of the Circuit Court increased to €75,000 (€60,000 for personal injury cases) under Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013. While I have no immediate plans to increase the monetary limits of the Circuit Court, the matter will be kept under review by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences Data (12 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As has previously been noted by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, TD, including in response to parliamentary question 246 of 15 May 2019, the Road Traffic Act 1961 defines a mechanically propelled vehicle as a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including a bicycle or tricycle with an attachment for propelling it by...