Results 4,641-4,660 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: I highlight the importance of engaging in international best practice and informing ourselves as to occurrences or practice in other jurisdictions. I referred to specific research in that regard. I acknowledge the importance of the Garda youth diversion projects which have been operating for many years. They play a very important role in assisting vulnerable children to make more...

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

Charles Flanagan: A licence under the provisions of the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and issued by the Revenue Commissioners following submission of an appropriate court certificate by the applicant is required in order to permit the sale, supply or exposure for sale of intoxicating liquor in specified premises. As the Deputy will be aware, such licences are renewed annually. The performance of music and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Private Security Authority (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Work is proceeding apace. I mentioned that I am in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. There is a responsibility to ensure that any legislation is legally sound and capable of implementation. I acknowledge the proposals in the Private Members' Private Security Firms Bill. As the Deputy will recall, that Bill unopposed on 31 January last. It was agreed that Second Stage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Private Security Authority (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge once again the Deputy's contribution in the matter of the Private Members' Bill, which will inform work in this area, as should be the case. It is important that we proceed to specify what will be a new category of persons, the enforcement guard, that this category will be strictly defined and that we can proceed with the appropriate legislation in draft form at the earliest...

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

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in this issue. The proposal from the European Commission would end seasonal clock changes with effect from 2021, with each member state electing whether to remain on summer or winter time all year round. This proposal remains under discussion and has yet to be adopted. In this regard, discussions with members states on this proposal are ongoing via...

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

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge once again the Deputy's interest in this issue over a number for years. I want to make one point clear. Ireland is one among of a number of member states that have argued strongly that more time is required to properly consider the proposal. Contrary to media reports, to date, we have not formally supported the proposal that has been put forward. A particular consideration...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I share the Deputy's concern and these figures are stark and totally unacceptable. I wish to acknowledge the importance of enforcement, which is crucial. The development and supply of handheld devices under the Garda mobility strategy will facilitate more effective road traffic enforcement via front-line access and real-time information, including relating to drivers who may be...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I attend, on a regular basis, the joint ministerial meeting with Ms Murdock and her team, as well as other stakeholders and departments, and this is an issue I would be happy to pursue on an urgent basis. As noted by the Committee of Public Accounts last Thursday, An Garda Síochána is currently preparing a series of actions to address the issue of the non-surrender of licences,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Private Security Authority (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I secured Government approval last month to bring the regulation of private security personnel, employed to assist in enforcing court orders, within the remit of the Private Security Authority. The proposals for this measure and related matters are contained in the report of an interdepartmental working group, which was published on my Department’s website on 9 April 2019. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: A couple of days ago, the Deputy published the Domestic Violence (No-contact order) (Amendment) Bill 2019. This Bill provides for a new no-contact order that would enable a court to prohibit the respondent from communicating with the applicant where the respondent has subjected the applicant to harassment. The Bill defines harassment as conduct that has occurred on at least two occasions...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the sentiment expressed by the Deputy, but it appears that the Deputy publishes a Bill on Tuesday and wants it enacted by Friday.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is aware that there is a Dáil and Seanad process and I ask her to acknowledge the existence of that process in her utterances in the Chamber and outside. I remind her of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 which has been fully operational since 1 January last. It improves the protections available to victims of domestic violence under both the civil and criminal law. In...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Domestic Violence Policy (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: This Government is committed to continuing its work in providing protections to victims of domestic and sexual violence and holding perpetrators to account. I will approach the Bill published a few days ago by Deputy Coppinger with that commitment firmly in mind.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Road Traffic Offences (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Broughan makes a very important point. I am seriously concerned about this issue. It was discussed in detail by the Garda Commissioner with the Committee of Public Accounts last Thursday. I am in complete agreement with the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, that this behaviour is a blatant abuse of the criminal justice process. Under the Road Traffic Acts, the penalty for driving...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The short answer is "Yes". I have been examining the position in other jurisdictions, with particular reference to the laws in the United Kingdom, as mentioned by the Deputy. A new law was introduced last year in the UK that criminalised the possession of sulphuric acid above 15% in strength by a member of the public without a particular licence. The penalties for possession of such a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I join the Deputy in condemning unequivocally the criminal activity in Drogheda. I have visited the town of Drogheda on a number of occasions in recent months - including two weeks ago in the company of the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Drew Harris - to meet the gardaí involved in tackling what is a feud. I have been briefed by the Commissioner about the dedicated policing operation,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As Minister for Justice and Equality, I am determined that the situation in Drogheda will not be allowed to continue. There has been a sustained and concerted effort on the part of An Garda Síochána to bring those engaged in the feud to justice. An Garda Síochána is dedicated to tackling gang-related violence in Drogheda and to ensuring the safety of all citizens in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Organised Crime (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Operation Stratus has been in operation in Drogheda since last year. There have been significant successes on the part of the Garda in more recent times and, as I mentioned earlier, there have been successful operations and arrests. Over the Christmas period, there was a seizure of drugs worth in excess €110,000 at Moneymore and one person was charged in that regard. There was the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I agree by and large with what Deputy O'Callaghan has said and I wish to assure the House that the Garda Síochána, in conjunction with interested parties here, the primary stakeholders and the cross-Border initiatives, are making every effort, and I acknowledge their excellent ongoing relationship, to tackle cross-Border issues. This issue is no different in Northern Ireland than...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (16 May 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will make two points by way of reply. First, in respect of ongoing briefing on this area I mentioned the Garda Commissioner and his team. I have met him four times in as many weeks. I also discussed the matter with the British Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at last week's British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London. I want to ensure that the...