Results 3,721-3,740 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senator for his contribution. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to accept the amendment. I have several observations by way of reason. First, the proposal is problematic from a drafting point of view. The amendment is inconsistent with the mechanism outlined in the section. The amendment, as the Senator said, provides for a High Court judge following a review of the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will not accept these amendments. Agreements under proposed new sections 28A and 81A can only be concluded with the prior consent of the Government. This provides for the necessary oversight and integrity of agreements with respect to the type of co-operation proposed, the type of information to be exchanged by the parties, and the compliance of the agreement with our data protection...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the contributions of Senators. This is important legislation which ensures the Government honours obligations and commitments entered into in respect of Northern Ireland, under the Stormont House Agreement. I expect all assurances and commitments given by the British Government in relation to Northern Ireland to be fully complied with and upheld. I thank Senator Clifford-Lee...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Direct Provision System (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the fact that there is significant demand, and to meet that demand my Department has sought to identify additional accommodation by publishing expressions of interest in the national press as the current portfolio will not meet the demand. The Deputy is right that the numbers are increasing and that has put pressure on the current arrangements. The RIA will continue working to...

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 5:In page 3, line 5, to delete "taking" and substitute "the taking of". I contend that these amendments are self-explanatory

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 6:In page 3, line 6, after "inquests" to insert "and inquiries".

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 7:In page 3, lines 7 to 10, to delete all words from and including "and" in line 7 down to and including "purposes" in line 10 and substitute the following:"to enter into agreements for co-operation with certain persons or bodies outside the State; to permit the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to enter into agreements for co-operation with law enforcement...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Direct Provision System (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Under European Union and international law, as the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is obliged to examine the claim of any person who comes here and claims international protection under strictly defined grounds. While an international protection claim is being examined, the State offers accommodation and related services to anyone who requests it. This includes all meals, medical care and...

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The amendments are problematic insofar as it is not clear how a report could outline the nature, purpose or value of the agreements. By nature and purpose, they are co-operation agreements on the exchange of information and it is unclear how the value of agreements, in general, can be assessed within an arbitrary period of three months. I am concerned the amendments have the capacity to...

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: For example, a case could involve an asset recovery agency in another jurisdiction. It could be problematic or even damaging to compel the Garda Commissioner to produce a report on the value of co-operation between the Garda authorities and such an agency. I see problems with having to commit such a report to writing and to make it available within three months.

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan referred back to her earlier amendment. In recent times the Tánaiste and I have made the importance of this quite clear to the British Government. On a number of occasions Dáil Éireann has passed motions unanimously that an independent international judicial review take place in respect of all the documents in order to establish the full facts of the...

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for tabling the amendment and for his comments thereon. I must disappoint him by saying I have three fundamental problems with it. First, from a drafting point of view, it is unclear. Second, from a practical point of view, I see difficulties in the outworking of the amendment. Third, and most importantly, it seems to go against the grain of the main objectives of the...

Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan for tabling this amendment and initiating the discussion we are having now and had late last night. I am not in a position to accept her amendment. I understand and appreciate the level of frustration that has been identified and amplified here regarding the lack of response to or significant engagement with the Dáil motions on the matter of the Dublin...

Courts (Establishment and Constitution) (Amendment) Bill 2019: From the Seanad (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of the legislation as part of the overall reform package and am very grateful to the House for facilitating its passage on the last day of the current Dáil term. I intend to set the wheels in motion to facilitate the appointment by the President of the new judges to the Court of Appeal in September. We are unlikely to have the process completed by the time...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh (Atógáil) - Questions on Promised Legislation (Resumed) (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: These are bully boy tactics.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 which I signed into effect from 30 June, 2018, includes access to the labour market for qualified international protection applicants.  My Department provides confirmation in writing to qualified applicants of their entitlement to access the labour market, for use when they apply for a job or become self employed....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 349 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters, and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing An Garda Síochána including personnel matters. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I have requested a report from the Commissioner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the investigation of crime is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of all Garda resources, including personnel.  I have no role in such matters. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that, in general terms, responsibility for the investigation of criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.76 billion for 2019.  Very significant capital investment is also being made, including a capital allocation of €92 million this year. The Deputy will appreciate that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision...