Results 2,621-2,640 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We could then move the Bill on to the Lower House.

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Order for Report Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am very keen to facilitate Senator McDowell and the proposers. We will now, having dealt with Committee Stage, look at the redrafted Bill in consultation with the Attorney General.Senator McDowell is of the view that we perhaps might not come back and discuss it for another hour. Of course there would be no need to discuss it for another hour if the promoter of the Bill decides to shorten...

Seanad: Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017: Order for Report Stage (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We would like to get it through by the end of the year.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Abuse (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together. I can confirm for the Deputy that Irish law includes the term “child pornography” in relation to a number of criminal offences. While this term was used historically, in more recent years the term “child sexual abuse material” has been preferred. International best practice regarding terminology in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Consultation Process (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: My Department routinely consults with the public and key stakeholders to assess the impact of proposed measures on a wide range of issues. Public consultations are usually conducted through multiple channels including online consultations and questionnaires, individual meetings and forums with stakeholders, and targeted measures for hard-to-reach communities. The consultation programmes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. Government policy in relation to drug and alcohol misuse is set out in Ireland’s National Drug Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’ 2017-2025. This represents a whole-of-Government response to the problem of drug and alcohol use in Ireland. My Department and associated agencies continue to work closely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am informed that processing of an application for naturalisation from the person concerned is ongoing, with a view to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, are satisfied. On completion of the necessary processing, the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There is one Government Bill in my Department currently awaiting Committee Stage: the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill. The Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Bill 2019 completed Committee Stage on 4 December 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell have previously been addressed by me in both the Dáil and the Seanad and I have met with the O'Farrell family. As the Deputy is aware, the terms of reference of the scoping exercise have been finalised. My Department wrote to Judge Haughton on 23 September to ask him to begin his scoping exercise and to make an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Professional photographic services are generally only used by my Department to mark and record significant occasions and campaigns and the vast majority of photography is undertaken by the Department's in-house communications staff as part of their normal duties. Consideration is given at all times to the costs involved when sourcing external services. The year-by-year cost of photography...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Freedom of Information Data (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in tabular format below. As noted in the table, due to the time-frame for processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act, there will always be a number of live cases on hand at the end of each year which have to be finalised in the following calendar year. It is not possible to provide statistics on the grounds applying to...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Acting Chairman and offer my congratulations to him on accession to the prestigious position of chairing the Select Committee on Justice and Equality. I hope it is the sum of his ambitions for the foreseeable future. I am pleased to be here this afternoon. I am joined by Mr. Doncha O'Sullivan, Ms Liz Downey and Mr. Seamus Clifford from my Department and Mr. Michael Culhane,...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Transport is an important issue for all the reasons the Deputy mentioned. In the northern region, transport has seen a greater level of engagement, consequent on the investment. A further €11 million is being provided this year for augmenting the Garda fleet. The projected figure is for in the region of 300 vehicles, be they patrol cars, vans or large sport utility vehicles, SUVs,...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: No, there will be a net increase, depending on the area. The allocation is made by the Garda Commissioner. The priority is areas of need but the 287 new vehicles already been procured and the balance of approximately 13 or more to come before the end of the year will allow for a net increase. The latest figures I have show that 22% of the fleet is under two years old compared with 5% of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome what the Deputy has said about the investment. We will continue to invest in the Garda fleet to allow the Garda Commissioner to ensure he has the best possible tools available to him. Some 53% of the Garda fleet is less than four years old, whereas 12% of the fleet is less than one year old. I take the point the Deputy makes about the mileage or number of kilometres done by Garda...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: By 2021, the year after next. If I may say by way of concluding comment, this is a very difficult undertaking. We need to acknowledge the extent and breadth of change in An Garda Síochána under Commissioner Harris and his team and the modernisation project. It involves recruitment of specialist administrative staff. It also involves change in work practices and issues that...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: This is in respect of the recruitment of staff.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There are currently new staff members being recruited. Obviously, the office has changed in profile substantially in recent years, particularly with the new GDPR regime. The bulk of those funds have been allocated for the recruitment of staff.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There was the issue of a new office premises. The costs for accommodation this year were somewhat less than anticipated as the OPW was not in a position to acquire a new office premises as it had hoped. These savings were offset by additional costs of the temporary service accommodation here in Dublin. There is also the issue of staff recruitment. There was a budget for pay of just under...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (4 Dec 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much agree.