Results 5,741-5,760 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, there has been unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years, in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement and provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Decisions in relation to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the committee for the invitation to appear before it this morning to brief it on the current legislation. I am joined by my officials Mr. Jimmy Martin, assistant secretary, Ms Yvonne White, Mr. Brian Merriman, Mr. William O'Dwyer, Ms Regina Terry and Ms Eileen Devoy. The Government remains firmly of the view that the best and only way to ensure an orderly UK withdrawal from the EU...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Part 14 of the Bill deals with the amendments to the Immigration Acts. In effect, that deals with a lacuna in the provisions relating to non-refoulement. The important aspect here is that sections 88 and 89 amend not only the Immigration Act 1999 but the Immigration Act 2003. That will have the effect of confirming that in considering the removal or deportation of a person from this State,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: On the basis of the technical nature of the question, could I ask an official to respond?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We are dealing with what might be described as the worst case scenario in the event of a no-deal, crash out Brexit. We must ensure that arrangements are such that any adverse consequences would be mitigated. In the event of there being developments in the UK with particular reference to the future relationship arrangements, it is expected that over time, arrangements would be made along the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, China and India.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: A key aspect of the current operation of the British-Irish visa scheme, which enables a short stay in Ireland by persons who also travel to the UK, without a need for a separate visa. There is a requirement that the biometric data be captured and checked against both the Irish and UK systems. I believe it is very important that that be continued. We must acknowledge that we are not members...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We have ongoing contact with all the offices mentioned by the Deputy. With particular reference to the preparation of this legislation, there was specific contact with those agencies and with the Home Office and appropriate UK offices in order to ensure that we were in a position to formulate a schedule of laws and amendments and a regime that would mitigate against any adverse consequences....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will ask Mr. Jimmy Martin who was involved in the detail of the discussions with parties inside the jurisdiction and in the UK to respond to that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: We will provide the committee with the list of statutory instruments that will form the programme of secondary legislation, and a note in respect of each, in early course. I do not envisage any changes with the UK or Northern Ireland on the matter of bail arrangements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Not to my knowledge. In regard to the close relationship between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI, it is anticipated that it will continue irrespective of the deal or no-deal scenario.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: In the initial stages it was envisaged that we would need primary legislation to cover the areas referenced. Following further consideration, the only issue requiring primary legislative consideration was finger-printing. The other areas in terms of data sharing are already covered under secondary legislation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The provisions of the common travel area will continue irrespective of the type of arrangement that will follow the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, including a no-deal scenario. The British and Irish Governments have confirmed that neither Irish citizens in the UK nor British citizens in Ireland will be required to take any action to protect their status or rights associated...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes. It is done.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes. Again these issues have been discussed with the British Home Office. We have identified a number of issues. It is important to acknowledge that immediately after the withdrawal of the UK at 11 p.m. Irish time on 29 March, the UK will then submit requests under the extradition convention of 1957. That will involve a court process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: They are travelling in the State and-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----like anybody, they are also citizens so they could be subject to an arrest depending on the circumstances, the charge or whatever.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the UK will not be an EU country after 29 March, the Dublin Convention will be an issue. We will have a bilateral agreement with the UK in order to ensure the application cannot be made here as a consequence of a decision or otherwise in Britain.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Discussion (27 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.