Results 3,421-3,440 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----in Carlow as well as in Monaghan and Cavan.

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I hear Senators and, in the Lower House, Deputies talking about the merging of areas as though no two counties can be under the same chief superintendent. There are already divisions with more than one county in several locations around the State. I represent the constituency of Laois-Offaly. Since the foundation of the State, both counties have been policed from a Garda headquarters in...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----and into informing constituents of what the Senators believe they would like to hear.

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In actual fact-----

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----the Garda plan drawn up by the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris, and his team has the full support of independent bodies like the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. It represents an integral part of the reform proposals as outlined in the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, chaired by the expert, Ms Kathleen O'Toole. I do not...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will refer briefly to the national drugs strategy. I acknowledge the work that Senator Ned O'Sullivan has done over a number of years, quietly and without the glare of publicity, on the issue of national drugs policy and the scourge that drugs present in society. Recent intelligence-led operations have resulted in significant drug seizures by the Garda, including in the Ballyfermot and...

Seanad: Crime Policy: Motion (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what Senators Ó Donnghaile, Conway and others have done on the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. I assure the Senators that I take seriously the reports of that committee and am happy to engage further with it on the important and valuable report that was published earlier this year and that we had an opportunity of debating at plenary level in the Dáil before...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Issues (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy 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. In November 2015, the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive agreed a series of measures in the agreement A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I sympathise enormously with the families of the 48 young people tragically killed in the Stardust fire 38 years ago for the terrible loss they suffered. The fire was one of the most harrowing events that has ever happened in Dublin and it has left a horrendous legacy of grief and pain. In April, the Victims Committee presented a formal petition to the Attorney General to direct a second...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. The Deputy will be aware that investment in Garda ICT infrastructure was emphasised in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I understand that the Deputy's reference to visas actually refers to the granting of citizenship through naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Data (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy may wish to note that EEA nationals residing in Ireland, including UK citizens, are not required to register their presence in the State with my Department. My Department, therefore, does not hold the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of UK nationals resident in the State. In relation to the question of UK citizens who hold an Irish passport, this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (2 Oct 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, and this includes the provision of information on the courts system. I have requested information from the Courts Service in relation to this matter and the Courts Service has stated it will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (2 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for managing An Garda Síochána, including in relation to personnel matters. Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda members...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that revised procedures for persons wishing to travel to Ireland as volunteers were introduced on 30 April 2018. These procedures provide for a preclearance process to facilitate and streamline entry to the State. The preclearance process applies to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals.  One of the key...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned has an ongoing application for permission to remain in the State based on her De Facto relationship with an Irish national. I am further advised that the person concerned holds temporary permission to remain, which is due to expire on 22 November 2019.  My Department is currently dealing with De Facto...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cross-Border Co-operation (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy 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. In November 2015, the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive agreed a series of measures in the agreement A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, during the National Ploughing Championships, I launched the National Rural Safety Forum, a new body which brings together the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, and the Department of Rural and Community Development alongside national organisations such as City and County Management Association, the NTA, ESB Networks, and local organisations such...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications Data (1 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: On 31 December 2016, I commenced the International Protection Act 2015. This was the biggest reform to the system in twenty years and it introduced a single application procedure where all aspects of a person's application (refugee status, subsidiary protection status and permission to remain) are examined and determined in one process. Prior to this, the three strands were examined...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (1 Oct 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 personnel matters. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of...