Results 2,821-2,840 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda National Immigration Bureau (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, every State has a duty to protect its own security and prevent illegal immigration, human trafficking and other organised crime activity. The Border with Northern Ireland is somewhat unique as it is a jurisdictional border between the two states where the common travel area also exists, in other words, where Irish and British citizens are entitled to travel...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda National Immigration Bureau (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I disagree with the Deputy when he points to these immigration checks as being somewhat new. They are not new. They are under our legislation and the common travel arrangements. It is evident from a number of detections of illegal immigrants entering the State through Northern Ireland that immigration controls are required from time to time to prevent abuse of the common travel area. In...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have details of the questions which were ruled out of order. Of course, I accept the rulings. I am happy to accept any question on matters for which I have responsibility. Deputy Sherlock referred to policy issues, and I accept responsibility for such issues. I am happy to consider the questions which were ruled out of order but this is not the appropriate time to so do.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to recognise the interest and work of Deputies O'Loughlin and O'Callaghan in this important area, including Deputy O'Loughlin's co-sponsorship of a Private Members' Bill. It is important to clearly reflect that our law provides for prosecution of relevant crimes. Under current law, hate crimes are prosecuted under general criminal law rather than through a specific hate crime...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Proposed Legislation (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: On the Deputy's remark regarding unacceptable commentary in the course of the by-elections which are under way, I wish to categorically dissociate myself from comments made by Ms Verona Murphy, a Fine Gael candidate in Wexford. I am sure Deputy O'Callaghan will do likewise in respect of the remarks of a candidate standing for Fianna Fáil in another part of the country. It is incumbent...

Seanad: Inquiry into the Death of Shane O'Farrell: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: At the heart of the matter under discussion is the dreadful loss of a loved one by the O'Farrell family. As in the past, including in the debate on these tragic circumstances in the Dáil last week, I express my sincere condolences and those of my Government colleagues to the O'Farrell family on the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell. I stress that we are all working towards achieving the...

Seanad: Inquiry into the Death of Shane O'Farrell: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is not so.

Seanad: Inquiry into the Death of Shane O'Farrell: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much agree with what I think every Senator has said, namely, that this is a most important and sensitive matter. I have listened closely to the comments made by Senators during the course of the debate. As I said earlier, we are all working towards achieving the same goal here, which is responding appropriately to the acute pain of the O'Farrell family arising from the loss they...

Seanad: Inquiry into the Death of Shane O'Farrell: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will not be interrupted by political commentary from anyone. We are all working together.

Seanad: Inquiry into the Death of Shane O'Farrell: Statements (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I interrupted Senator Gallagher when he accused me of undermining the work of Judge Haughton, which is not the case. From subsequent comments made by Senator Gallagher, I know he readily understands that, and I accept his understanding. I am not undermining Judge Haughton and none of us should do that. I am pleased, and I hope the Senators are equally pleased, that the O'Farrell family is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Before I speak on the amendments, I will outline the Government's position on the Bill. The Government does not oppose this Bill in principle. I agree with the core objective of assisting people with minor convictions who have moved on from offending and now wish to make a positive contribution to society without being constrained by their past. We have to recognise, however, that the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Amendment No. 1 is a technical amendment. I am not sure of the extent to which the Senator wishes to elaborate on it. I am prepared to accept these amendments insofar as they apply to the Bill as initiated.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am not opposing the amendments on this Stage, but I wish to give notice that I may table amendments of my own on Report Stage. In the meantime, I assure the Senator of meaningful engagement with my Department with a view towards reaching agreement for Report Stage.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Amendment No. 5 is a technical amendment which refers to and cites new substantive provisions in respect of amending the Children Act 2001. Amendment No. 26 provides for a substantive change to the Children Act 2001 by reducing the rehabilitative period for those under 18 from three years to one year. I am sure Senators would agree that this would need to be harmonised with potential...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I accept amendments Nos. 8,10,12 and 14 on the basis that they are technical amendments that apply to section 5 regarding the removal of the references to "and over" which allows the relevant subsections to read more clearly and appropriately. I am not opposing amendments Nos. 7,9,11 and 13. These relate to increasing the age at which the provisions of this Bill specific to the young adult...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will not oppose amendments Nos. 15 and 16. Amendment No. 15 will amend section 5 by creating a new subsection to reflect recommendation 14 of the joint committee report and recommendation 10.2.2 of the working group report to consider alternative approaches to the possession of drugs for personal use, regarding the setting up of an upper rehabilitative period limit of three years for...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As in the case of previous amendments in the name of the Senator, I will not oppose the amendment, which will provide for the removal of the limit of the number of convictions eligible to become spent. It is a reflection of recommendation 4 of the joint committee's report on spent convictions. While I will not oppose it, I invite agreement from Senators that it should be subject to a more...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is a technical amendment and I have no difficulty with it.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to inform the Senator it is not my intention to oppose amendments Nos. 21 to 23, inclusive, which will extend section 14(a) of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to include Circuit Court convictions and therefore attempt to harmonise the equivalent related provisions of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016...