Results 3,101-3,120 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Policing Issues (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: There is no more consistent an advocate for Border security and policing than Deputy Brendan Smith. I say that not only in respect of my time as Minister for Justice and Equality, but also previously as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Deputy and others will acknowledge that policing the Border region has always presented particular challenges and these necessitate a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As far as Topical Issue matters are concerned, I neither evade nor avoid my duties and obligations in the House. The record will testify to that in terms of my appearance here.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: If I am in the Seanad, I cannot be here. A message was sent to Deputy Kelly's office and, as far as I understand, the Office of the Ceann Comhairle. The origin of the new model lies in a detailed analysis of these issues by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. I remind the House that the inspectorate is an independent body comprised of experienced and distinguished policing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Trafficking (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputies have raised a number of constructive points that I would be happy to pursue as being applicable. I assure the House that An Garda Síochána continues to engage actively with the Director of Public Prosecutions in order to pursue further prosecutions this year. Having regard to the international dimension of the crime, we have developed strong links between the Garda...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I was in the Seanad.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We should be clear about this. Nobody is evading responsibility here. I was in the Seanad on that occasion and we can check the record.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We rang the Deputy's office with a number of available dates for this debate and this appears to be the first available date that suits him.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: No. The Deputy raised the matter.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I did not send in anybody.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is not.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy refused to accept an invitation to the debate until now.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Divisional Headquarters (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I was in the Seanad and I make no apologies to the Deputy or anybody else for that.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Trafficking (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The events in Essex are a tragedy for all those concerned and their families and friends, to whom I would express my deepest sympathies and condolences. I am conscious that that incident is the subject of an ongoing investigation in the United Kingdom, and in relation to which An Garda Síochána is assisting at a high level. I do not wish to say anything that could prejudice those...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 303 together. On 27 May 2015, the European Commission issued the EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling (2015-2020). This sets out a structured policy framework identifying a set of concrete measures in four priority areas: - enhanced police and judicial response; - improved gathering and sharing of information - stronger prevention; and - increased...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 284, inclusive, 301, 313 and 315 together. While both human trafficking and migrant smuggling are criminal activities frequently involving criminal networks seeking to make a profit, there are important distinctions and it is important to differentiate between them. I can assure the Deputies that the Government is fully committed to addressing the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paramilitary Groups (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 370 together. As the Deputies will appreciate, policing in the border region has always presented particular challenges. These necessitate a collaborative approach to policing with law enforcement agencies north and south of the border and there is close ongoing cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. The importance of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts and of court buildings is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, however, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service. The Courts Service have informed me that any party to a court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Illegal Fireworks (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The law is clear on the use of fireworks in Ireland. Fireworks are regulated and can only be imported into Ireland under licence. Licences for the import of fireworks are issued by my Department only for the importation of fireworks which are to be used in organised displays conducted by professional and competent operators. Under Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006: - It is an offence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the managing An Garda Síochána and for the allocation of Garda resources, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (5 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Drug-related intimidation is an extremely serious issue which involves the targeting of persons who use drugs, or their family or friends in relation to a drug debt. It involves insidious and coercive behaviour directed at forcing compliance of another person against their will. The intimidation can be either explicit or implicit, involving actual, threatened or perceived threats of...