Results 4,541-4,560 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I listened carefully to what both Senators had to say and the more I listen to Senator McDowell, the more I believe the points he makes in support of his amendment are already catered for under section 50, which has already been debated and passed. The only other point I would make is that there is a representative of all the courts on the commission in any event. It will be the job of the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Ultimately, the allocation of particular judges to a particular division of the courts will be for the President, in consultation with the appropriate members of the commission or whatever.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The general thrust of the Bill is that the commission will make the recommendation to Government. Government will act on that in accordance with its constitutional requirement and appointment will be made. There is, of course, the role for the President of Ireland and then it will be for the president of the court to make the allocation in accordance with the needs and requirements of the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is not that I am entirely opposed to the letter and spirit of the amendment; it is already covered. I do not wish to go as far as Senator McDowell.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have made my position clear. The only other point I would make is that a judge is appointed ultimately having regard to consideration on the part of the commission and on the part of the Government and then back for an allocation in the normal way by the president of the court to which the appointment is appropriate. If we followed the Senator's logic, we could have a situation where a...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have listened to the level of detail offered by all the Senators which can be condensed in short to a mandatory requirement in respect of consultation. I point out to them that the approval of statements by the commission under section 54, which covers everything that Senator McDowell has said. As far as consultation is concerned, section 54(3) clearly states: "The Commission shall...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I would be prepared to look at that. On the substance of the amendment, the point being raised seems to whether there is sufficient oversight regarding the publication of the statements. I say there is. I hear what the Senators have said. I am not prepared to accept the amendment at this point but I will be happy to reflect on the points made. I believe we have sufficient oversight and...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is not because of the Bill; it is because of the Constitution.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: No. I think the Senator is burning oil. I think the amendment should be put.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have listened carefully to Senator McDowell and would refer him to my earlier submission prior to the previous vote when I spoke about the existence of the President. I will go further now and speak about the importance of the President and, in that context, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I can anticipate what Senator McDowell is going to say. He is going to say that it would be logical to accept this as a consequence of the acceptance of the other amendment and I am prepared to so do.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access fall into two distinct but complementary categories, namely Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Community CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will wish to be aware that I have corresponded directly with the person referred to regarding this matter. Enquiries on behalf of the person with the relevant Irish authorities are ongoing. My office will be in further contact with the person concerned when these enquiries have been completed.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 7 May 2019. This decision was communicated to the applicant who was advised that an appeal could be submitted up to two months following the visa refusal. No appeal has been submitted as yet. If an appeal is made, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. I have asked the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Expenditure (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as for decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Mounted Unit is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána. Further, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including vehicles, are for the Commissioner in light of identified operational demands. I have requested the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (28 May 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. Significant capital investment is also being made, including €342 million being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021; and €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period. Significant investment...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Reform (28 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Ensuring that all eligible persons have access to civil legal aid and advice is a priority for the Government and the Legal Aid Board. The Government has prioritised and maintained the Legal Aid Board budget in recent years, ensuring that its budget allocation increased from nearly €30.37m in 2011 to €40.796m for 2019. This represents an increase of over 34%. As the Deputy...