Results 5,481-5,500 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (13 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is my intention to publish proposals in 2019 for a new approach to handling family law cases in Ireland at District, Circuit and High Court levels. This will be done by legislation to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structures. These courts will have new procedures aimed at less adversarial resolution of disputes and will have appropriate facilities and case...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (13 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Probation Service plays a key role in the delivery of restorative justice practice as part of its overall mission of reducing reoffending and further victimisation in our communities. In the latter half of 2015, at the request of the then Minister for Justice and Equality, a small two year pilot programme was established by the Probation Service, to respond to any requests for victim...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (13 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage and on completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. There is no further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (13 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that there has been an unprecedented level of investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. A total of €46 million has been provided by the Government for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. This continuing investment is intended to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Preparations (13 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In common with all Government Departments and State Agencies, An Garda Síochána has been preparing for Brexit and there is ongoing engagement between senior Garda management and my Department in this regard. Preparation has had a wide-ranging focus on operational requirements, including personnel, infrastructure and technology. I know the Commissioner is committed to ensuring the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cyberbullying Issues (13 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that the Deputy asked a similar question in November 2018 (46670/18) and I would refer him to the answer provided at that time. I can assure the Deputy that work is continuing to progress legislation to reform the law in the area of harassment, with a particular focus on harmful communications online in light of growing concerns in relation to the impact of such behaviours. ...

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what I perceive to be all-party support as well as support from the Independent benches for this important and sensitive legislation. I thank all the Deputies for their comments and I look forward to working together to ensure we pass this legislation in due course.

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The Bill before the House is the Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2018 which started life as a Private Member’s Bill in Seanad Éireann and which passed all Stages in that House in June of last year. I hope it can be enacted speedily given the overwhelmingly positive support which it has attracted to date. Prior to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Smith will be aware, this matter has been addressed on a number of occasions in the recent weeks and months by me in the Dáil and Seanad and in public statements, as well as in other fora.  However, I welcome the opportunity to update the House on matters relating to the circumstances of the tragic death of the late Mr. Shane O'Farrell. Following the Dáil...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy should not misrepresent the role of Judge Haughton in this important and sensitive issue, and he is engaging directly with the O'Farrell family. Of course, it is open to Judge Haughton to propose changes to the terms of reference to me and following his review I expect he will advise me on any remaining unanswered questions that should be the subject of further inquiry or...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am intent on ensuring that everything possible is done to ensure the failings identified in any investigation are not repeated. The motion passed by the Dáil last year referred to the need to examine the actions of the Garda, the Director Public Prosecutions and the courts but I remind Deputies of the constitutional independence of the courts and the statutory independence of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Divisional Headquarters (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy of a desire on the part of Government to proceed with these projects as quickly as possible. Deputy McLoughlin may wish to know that as well as advancing the Garda station in Sligo, I am informed that a total of 52 vehicles will be allocated to the Sligo-Leitrim division as of March 2019. This includes a total of 28 vehicles allocated to Sligo district, eight in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Domestic Violence Act 2018 is landmark legislation which significantly enhanced the legal protections available to victims of this appalling form of violence. I was pleased to commence all the provisions of the Act, including the provision which created a new offence of coercive control, on 1 January last. This offence recognises the psychological abuse aspect of domestic violence. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As I outlined in my reply, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for ensuring that members of An Garda Síochána are trained. As Minister, I do not have a direct role in that regard. As I already outlined, I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a number of training measures continue to be taken to ensure that gardaí have a solid understanding of this...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy, having regard to the importance of Ireland's ratification of the Istanbul Convention from 8 March last, that every effort will be made to ensure that there is full compliance. In that regard, the House might note that the State will be subject to ongoing international monitoring by the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Deployment (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of ensuring that this jurisdiction fully monitors international best practice and developments. We should note exchanges and the open recruitment policy of An Garda Síochána in order to facilitate persons who may have experience in other police services applying to An Garda Síochána. I once again record the importance of the appointment of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Divisional Headquarters (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda building and refurbishment programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious five-year programme based on agreed Garda priorities, which continues to benefit over 30 locations around the country, underpinned by significant Exchequer funding across the Garda and Office of Public Works Votes.  In addition to that programme, other major works to the Garda estate which are ongoing include...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Divisional Headquarters (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the interest of Deputy McLoughlin in the acquisition of the site for the Garda station in Sligo and in ensuring that the legal, technical and design issues can be dealt with as expeditiously as possible in order to ensure that the Garda in Sligo have every modern resource available to them in the course of their duties. That includes a modern and fit-for-purpose Garda station....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Such attacks on potential centres for direct provision are abhorrent and condemned by all right-thinking members of society. I do not have the specific information requested by the Deputy. However, these issues are the subject of Garda investigations and it is following certain lines of inquiry. The provision of security in these areas is, in the main, the responsibility of the owners...