Results 4,141-4,160 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I accept that a multi-agency response is required, and that is what we have. I refer, for example, to Ireland's national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A health-led response to drug and alcohol use. This advises the public in respect of the dangers of cocaine use. I refer also to the criminal justice response, which is to ensure those convicted of trafficking or...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Levels (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to assure the House, and the Deputy in particular, that the ongoing recruitment campaign is providing the resources needed to deliver a visible available Garda service in Cork city. The local Garda management in the Cork region keep all new and emerging crime trends under constant review. I refer the Deputy to the impact of Operation Thor. Since November 2015 I am informed there...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Levels (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to share the tabular information that I have in respect of Cork city Anglesea Street and Togher districts. I have data in respect of resources not only in terms of numbers but also in terms of vehicles and other equipment. I wish to assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner keeps the situation under review on a constant basis in Cork. Indeed, according to the Garda,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy made two points. I share his concern regarding sexual offences. He also referred to the steps being taken to improve the quality of crime data. On the latter point, I wish to assure the Deputy that I and officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Policing Authority, will continue to monitor the progress of An Garda Síochána in ensuring that the information...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I previously heard Deputy Ó Laoghaire speak publicly on this issue. I have no reason to question the accuracy of the figures from the Garda Síochána at this time. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the compilation of the figures, but I have no reason to question them. If the Deputy has any further evidence in that regard, I would be happy to hear it. Deputy...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Levels (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware and appreciate, decisions in regard to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Commissioner that Togher and Anglesea Street districts are part of the Cork city division, with a Garda strength totalling 703 as of 31 May 2019. In addition, there are 35 Garda Reserve members and 91 Garda staff...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: 11 o’clock I am sure the Deputy will agree that burglary is a most serious offence, in particular, where the victim may be elderly or vulnerable, and that it often leaves a lasting impact. Given the seriousness of the crime, there are significant sentences in place in the law for burglary offences. I refer to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 which...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I regret that, but my understanding is I am dealing with Question No. 34 which deals with legislation providing for stronger sentences and penalties for criminals-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am dealing with Question No. 34. Any criminal who is before the court in County Kerry is dealt with independently by it. I am pleased to note that the courts in County Kerry have full lists. I was also pleased to accompany the Deputy last year to the busy Garda station in Kenmare in the heart of his constituency. I acknowledge the constructive nature of that meeting. I assure the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Sentencing Policy (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister answers the questions put to him. I ask the Deputy to check with the Office of the Ceann Comhairle after this session. My understanding is the specific question referred to by the Deputy was disallowed. The question that was allowed is the one on the Order Paper, notice of which would have been given to the Deputy in recent days. The Garda Commissioner and his team across An...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Data (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: On Monday the CSO published the crime statistics for quarter one of 2019. There were some welcome decreases in a number of crime categories, including homicide, the level of which was down by 14% compared to the level in quarter one of 2018, and burglary, the level of which showed a 10% decrease. There was also a significant increase in the reporting of fraud and related offences, with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am concerned about the number of violent and public order incidents that have occurred in Longford in recent weeks. Criminal acts of this nature have no place in civilised society. An Garda Síochána will not permit a small number of individuals to put local communities in fear for their safety. I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that a number of targeted operations...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am acutely aware of the concerns of the people of Longford. I have spoken directly to the cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Mr Micheál Carrigy, about the issue. I condemn the disgraceful behaviour of a small number of thugs in the Longford area who have no regard for the rule of law. The Garda Commissioner and his management team will continue to monitor the situation in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In condemning the disgraceful criminal behaviour in Longford I condemn the serious incidents of intimidation which are drug related which impact on all communities but especially families. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the National Family Support Network has concluded a number of evaluations of the drug related intimidation reporting programme and agreed to a number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the Deputy and I assure him that my Department and I will take our responsibilities seriously in that regard, although it is an area that requires input from a number of Departments. The Deputy specifically raised the position in the UK. Last Thursday, the UK Government announced that it was postponing the age verification scheme just weeks before its planned launch. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Online Safety (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for this question. Deputies will be aware that I outlined the position on ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime in January of this year. I updated the House on the significant progress made in the ratification process within the term of this Administration, particularly through the introduction of legislation to give effect to the key criminal law...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Online Safety (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The legislation will enable us to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. It is important that any such ratification in legislative form will enable the Garda and other stakeholders to ensure the practical application. I acknowledge, however, that there has been a delay in the ratification of the convention. I am keen to focus on ensuring that the draft legislation is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Online Safety (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that I engage actively with An Garda Síochána on the issue and will continue to do so. Not only is it an area of some complexity, it is an area that is not specifically under the remit of one Department. It also has an international dimension. In that regard, Ireland is represented at the second protocol drafting plenary meetings, while we are in the process of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that the accessing of online pornography by children is a matter for considerable concern, even where that content is not inherently illegal. As stated by the Taoiseach in the Dáil last week, it is a matter of concern to all of us that many young people learn about sex through pornography, particularly as such material is not an accurate representation of what is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Internet Pornography (26 Jun 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I listened carefully to what Deputy O'Callaghan had to say. I do not currently envisage a role for IFCO outside its current statutory remit. In particular, I do not envisage a role in regard to classification of online material, which I think Members will recognise as the dominant distribution model for material of a pornographic nature. The issue of online material, as all Deputies will...