Results 4,621-4,640 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas Applications (21 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it received an application under the Special Scheme for Students in respect of the person concerned on 10 December 2018.  The Deputy will appreciate that applications are dealt with in chronological order.  I understand that the application is now under consideration and it is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Earcaíocht sa Gharda Síochána (21 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Tá earcaíocht don Gharda Síochána faoi rialú Rialacháin an Gharda Síochána (Ligean Isteach agus Ceapacháin), 2013. Déanann an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí (PAS), thar ceann Choimisinéir na nGardaí, na céimeanna earcaíochta tosaigh a bhaineann le roghnú Gardaí faoi Oiliúint a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (21 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is currently engaging in a statutory review of the Defamation Act 2009 as required by section 5 of that Act. The review is an important priority for me and for my Department. I expect a draft report with options for reform to be submitted to me in the coming weeks. The review has undergone some delay, due to other urgent legislative priorities and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (21 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 2 April 2019. Processing of this application is on-going, with a view to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, are...

Property Services (Regulation) (Amendment) (Management Company Regulation) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “That” and substitute the following:“Dáil Éireann resolves that the Bill be deemed to be read a second time this day six months, to allow the Deputy to address shortcomings in the Bill including: (a) further examination required as to whether the proposed establishment of an office of “Ombudsman for...

Property Services (Regulation) (Amendment) (Management Company Regulation) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of the Bill and the interest that Deputy Darragh O'Brien has taken in this matter over a long number of years. I thank him for tabling this Private Members' Bill which provides the House with the opportunity to discuss matters connected with the operation of owners' management companies, or OMCs, in multi-unit developments. We have seen a significant increase in...

Property Services (Regulation) (Amendment) (Management Company Regulation) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Let me rephrase. I strongly support the Bill and am very keen to work with Deputy Darragh O'Brien to improve it. As drafted, the Bill requires a fair degree of analysis to ensure that it can be effective in achieving its aims. In this context, the policy experts in my Department have identified a number of legal and practical difficulties that will necessitate detailed consultation with...

Property Services (Regulation) (Amendment) (Management Company Regulation) Bill 2018: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: That is fine.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools Building Projects Status (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Ceann Comhairle is listening attentively to this debate.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of the bail laws in respect of the power of the courts to refuse bail where there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is likely to commit a serious offence. In assessing this likelihood, the court must take a number of factors into account. The recently enacted Criminal Justice Act 2017 also strengthened Garda powers to deal with breaches of bail;...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I detect a change, however I am not in a position to inform the House by way of annual report or otherwise. As soon as I have these data I would be happy to inform both the Deputy and the House. There have been proposals to further support changes in the bail regime, and while I would be happy to give due and careful consideration to any further proposals, I need, as Members will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Personal Injury Claims (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 19 together. The Deputy will be aware that in July 2016 the Government set up a special working group chaired by Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, to analyse the high cost imposed by insurance companies, and to determine what action the Government might take to address any issues that might be contributing to these costs. The cost of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Personal Injury Claims (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I very much share the concern of Deputy Broughan and others on this issue. As Minister for Justice and Equality, there are perhaps two areas which fall directly under my responsibility. One is ensuring that every effort is being made to combat perceived fraud in the matter of claims, be they exaggerated or false. This is an issue on which I have had discussions with An Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan for commencing an important conversation on this issue. I was previously Chair of a liquor licensing committee here. These areas of law are complex and we need balance. Deputy O'Callaghan speaks of what is primarily a music entertainment venture but one that facilitates the sale of intoxicating liquor. Would the liquor or the music be most prominent? I want to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have an open mind on the further development or enhancement of what can be described as current arrangements. I stress that any enhancement or further consideration will involve proper consultation. Proper consultation will involve a number of stakeholders. However, that should not be a barrier to seeing how best this issue might be addressed. I am conscious that any changes would have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Tackling organised crime is an ongoing priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána and I am keen to ensure that necessary and appropriate resources continue to be made available. The manner in which the resources of An Garda Síochána are deployed, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. I am informed by the Commissioner...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Time Zones (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is important to acknowledge that there is a wide range of opinions on the merits of ending seasonal clock changes. There are some school students in the Public Gallery. I am sure that if we were to ask their opinion, we would get a wide and diverse range of responses.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Time Zones (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: This issue may form part of school projects. I would be very happy to engage or receive proposals in that regard. There is a large measure of uncertainty around the question of harmonisation between adjoining countries. I refer specifically to the issue of whether our UK neighbours will remain in the European Union, which provides us with a real challenge in regard to the island of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: From changes of time to gangland crime - such is the breadth of responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality. I assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime and those involved in it is an ongoing priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána. Multi-disciplinary approaches are used by An Garda Síochána to ensure the activities of individuals and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raises an important point. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda youth diversion projects. With specific reference to youth involvement in gangland activity, my Department funded research in the form of the Greentown report undertaken at the University of Limerick. This research outlines how the influence of criminal networks increases the level of offending by a small...