Results 2,841-2,860 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: Again, as on previous amendments, I do not intend to divide the House. While I am not opposing the amendment, I ask Senators to agree and accept that we still need to engage in a level of consultation across a range of stakeholders within the criminal justice sector. We need to analyse what will be required in assessing the merits of the amendment. While I commit to constructive engagement...

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

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Senators for their work in ensuring this debate would take place this evening. I am mindful of the fact that they have a very busy schedule. I acknowledge the significant amount of work Senator Ruane has done to progress this important legislation. I formally thank the Senator for her work, but I also thank the Independent Senators, Senators Black,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Visits (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that high level visits to Ireland are of significant importance in the development and maintenance of our relations with other States.  Such visits are to be welcomed and offer important opportunities to us, as a small outward-looking State, for positive engagement with partners.  In terms of the cost associated with the visit to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and been advised by the Courts Service that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cyberbullying Issues (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I appreciate the deeply harmful effects which cyberbullying can have on persons who experience that or other harmful online behaviours.  These experiences can be devastating for those concerned. In that context, I welcome the successful conviction last week in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of a man for a sustained campaign of harassment conducted against a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together. As the Deputy will be aware, Tom O’ Malley, Senior Lecturer in Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and member of the Law Reform Commission, is chairing the working group carrying out this review. He is joined by representatives of the Garda Síochána, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Law Reform Commission Reports (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the publication of the Law Reform Commission’s Report on knowledge and belief concerning consent in rape law.As the Deputy may recall, the report was prepared by the Commission in response to a reference from the then Attorney General, on behalf of the Government. The report is a thorough and expert examination of this complex issue and I can assure the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Succession Act (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The position is that Part VII of the Succession Act 1965 sets out a number of legal requirements for the making of a valid will: - It must be in writing; - The testator must be over 18 years of age (the testator may be under 18 if he or she is or has been married); - The testator must be of sound mind; - The testator must sign or mark the will in the presence of two...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is important to be clear that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions.  As Minister I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. I am also pleased to have secured an overall increase of €122 million to increase An Garda Síochána's budget for 2020 to an unprecedented €1.882 billion for 2020.  Very significant capital investment is also being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 36 together. Tackling cross-border crime is a high priority for this Government, the Gardaí and our other law enforcement authorities. Policing in the border region has always presented particular challenges that necessitate a collaborative approach to policing between law enforcement agencies north and south of the border. There is close ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bail Law (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice Act 2017 made a number of changes to the bail laws. Under the Act, the court has the power to refuse bail where there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is likely to commit a serious offence.  In assessing this likelihood, the court must take into account the nature and seriousness of the offence, the accused person’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sexual Offences Data (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 39 together. I understand the concern which communities can have in relation to the issue of rehabilitation of sex offenders and in relation to measures to protect public safety.  First it is important to note that there are already provisions in existing law in relation to the management of sex offenders after they have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system.  The judiciary are of course independent in the exercise of their function.  However, in order to be of assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is long recognised that violent extremism, whatever the motivation, is a threat to democracy.  Ireland, along with its European partners, is working to ensure that the developing threat of right-wing extremism remains under continuous review at European level.  Most recently I, along with my EU colleagues, met in the Justice and Home...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I warmly welcome the introduction of the new Operating Model of An Garda Síochána. This model has long been recommended by independent policing specialists, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI).  Rollout of this model meets a key commitment in A Policing Service for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy may be aware, prison governors are required by law to accept all prisoners into their custody who have been committed to prison by the Courts. Therefore, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. The number of spaces available on a given day can be less than the capacity figure as cells may be unavailable for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As a result, all works to the Garda estate involve close cooperation between the OPW and the Garda authorities. Major investment is being made in the Garda estate, to provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff, as well as the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Fraud (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands.  This includes responsibility for the allocation of resources and deployment of personnel, as well as organisational matters, including the nature and number of Garda units and their remit. I am informed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda Commissioner has responsibility for managing An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the manner in which Gardaí are deployed.  As Minister I have no direct role in that matters.  I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources...