Results 2,381-2,400 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Chair of this House, does the Leas-Cheann Comhairle think it is reasonable that the Taoiseach should be familiar with every application for a home care package from every constituency in the State? That is what we are hearing here for the past half hour.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am almost in a position to bring a memorandum to Government. I would expect to do so if not before the final Cabinet meeting of this year, then certainly to the first or second Cabinet meeting early in the new year. The Bill is a priority for me and my Department.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have spoken to senior gardaí in respect of this matter. I have received a full report. I understand that there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the matter and, as Deputy Butler will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I do not accept what the Deputy has said that there are insurmountable obstacles to the scheme. Of course there are a number of conditions and there are regulations. Only yesterday, I approved some schemes around the country. I am happy to speak to Deputy McGrath to iron out any confusion his group has, but I have no intention-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----of introducing amending legislation.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The new Garda station in Sligo is one of the priorities in a forthcoming public private partnership bundle of three Garda stations. I hope that real progress can be made early next year.

Seanad: Criminal Records (Exchange of Information) Bill 2019: Second Stage (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to present the Bill to the House, the purpose of which is to provide for the exchange of criminal record information between Ireland and other EU member states. The Bill will transpose two EU instruments, namely, Framework Decision 2009/315/JHA on the organisation and content of the exchange of information extracted from the criminal record between member states, and its...

Seanad: Criminal Records (Exchange of Information) Bill 2019: Second Stage (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the support of Senators. A number of questions have been raised. As I previously stated, the importance and value of ECRIS cannot be overstated. Our objective is the same as that of other member states and I am pleased there is all-party agreement on the content of the Bill and among Independent Senators as well. A number of questions were raised by Senators Mac Lochlainn...

Seanad: Criminal Records (Exchange of Information) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Ruane for her interest in this legislation and for tabling the amendment. I am unable to accept the amendment because it is not open to our national central authority to convert the criminal record information that comes here into our own national interpretation. I consulted with the Attorney General on this and the advice was that it would be imprudent to accept the...

Seanad: Criminal Records (Exchange of Information) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Ruane again for her engagement. The legal position is that we are obliged to disclose information relating to spent convictions with our European Union counterparts through the National Vetting Bureau Acts.Similarly, central authorities in other member states share their spent convictions information, where it may exist, with our central authority. This ties in with the...

Seanad: Criminal Records (Exchange of Information) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to express my appreciation to Senators for supporting the Bill.

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: On Committee Stage I accepted the amendment proposed by Senator McDowell.I indicated my intention to consult further with the Office of the Attorney General and arising from those consultations, I am proposing the amendment as currently constructed. The effect of this amendment will be to confirm that it would continue to be open to a court to order costs in favour of an unsuccessful party...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Decisions regarding the granting or refusal of employment visas are made in a number of the Immigration Service Delivery Visa Offices overseas, the Immigration Service Delivery Visa Office in Dublin, and at Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department. The processing times for visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Arrest Warrant (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The European Arrest Warrant is a valuable mechanism that helps ensure that dangerous criminals, including those involved in human trafficking and human smuggling, can be apprehended, keeping EU citizens safer as a result.  It provides for an enhanced extradition process within the European Union. The following table sets out the number of requests received under the European...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Fraud (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the focal point for insurance reform is the Cost of Insurance Working Group which was established by the Government in July 2016 and is chaired by Minister of State, Michael D'Arcy TD.My Department works with the Department of Finance and other relevant Offices and Departments in consideration of actions to counter insurance fraud.   The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I can inform the Deputy that this application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 to 253, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the courts into custody and does not have the option to refuse to take prisoners into custody whether sentenced, on remand or awaiting trial.   Figures as requested for the percentage of prisoners detained solely on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Diversions (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the psychiatric in-reach and court-liaison service (PICLS). This service ensures that, as far as possible, those people presenting before the courts, or indeed at an earlier stage of the criminal justice system, and where the infraction is a reflection of an underlying mental illness, are referred and managed appropriately. As the Deputy may be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It has not been possible for the Irish Prison Service to collate the information sought in the timeframe available, as it entails a manual check of each individual prisons records for the periods in question.  I have asked the Prison Service for the relevant information and I will write directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (17 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the following table sets out the number of prisoners who at the time of their committal were recorded as having declared their accommodation status as ‘no fixed abode’ in each of the past 5 years.  It should be noted that it is the individual's own choice whether or not to disclose their homeless status to the prison...