Results 5,761-5,780 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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: There is no evidence of that. However, we are giving it consideration. As I said earlier, our anxiety is to mitigate any adverse consequence that might give rise to a large number of applications. I will ask Mr. Merriman to elaborate on 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: It is important to recognise that both Ireland and the UK are party to a number of international conventions negotiated in The Hague, in particular the 1980 child abduction convention and the 1996 protection of children convention. With those taken together we are satisfied that these conventions will apply a framework that can be regarded as satisfactory in the circumstances. That will be...

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: That is potentially challenging and it will depend on the circumstances of each case. The likelihood will be that the action may well have to be taken in the UK.

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 most pressing and challenging issues are those specified in the Bill, namely, extradition, immigration and international protection. I have to concede that in a no-deal, crash-out scenario, there will be a number of potential problems and the entire regime might be regarded as less than satisfactory. The object of the exercise on the part of Government is to ensure our contingencies are...

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 members of the EU, any bilateral arrangements we enter into will be with the full knowledge of our EU colleagues. There are certain areas, however, which underline a unique relationship between the UK and Ireland, and, for example, the fact neither country is in Schengen resulted in a situation where bilateral arrangements were optimum. It is similar with regard to the workings of 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: We will, along with our 26 EU colleagues, remain firmly wedded to the GDPR provisions. It could well transpire that, in the course of the future relationship between the UK and the EU, a similar type of arrangement will be adopted. What we are ensuring under this legislation is that we mitigate against any adverse consequences or any gaps that might arise in the sharing of information. It...

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: There is a high-level management team in An Garda Síochána that has been working for some time and that will deal with any organisational proposals or changes that might evolve in the context of Brexit. It is engaged in ongoing discussions with my Department. We meet with the Garda Commissioner on a regular basis and we did so specifically to discuss the issue of contingency...

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: Ongoing recruitment to An Garda Síochána will allow the Garda Commissioner to ensure he has the resources necessary to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí to any part of the country he deems appropriate in all the circumstances. For example, in the Deputy's own area, the Garda's northern division has a strength of 1,406 gardaí, which is an increase of 9% since 31 December...

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 assure Deputy Fitzpatrick and the other members that a clear objective of the Government, the Garda Síochána and the PSNI is to have the very close, positive and constructive relationship between the respective police services continue after Brexit, irrespective of the form the latter takes. The Garda Commissioner and Chief Constable of the PSNI, who share responsibility for...

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 Senator. These are issues of great importance. As I note from reading the transcript of the committee's engagements, we are talking about fundamental rights. My Department and I acknowledge that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for these issues. Of course, I would be happy to further engage with the Tánaiste in that regard. It is...

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 its engagement. These are contingency plans put in place by me and my Government colleagues. I acknowledge that there are challenges and I believe it is important that we continue to engage in order to ensure that we at all times mitigate the adverse consequences of Brexit in all of its forms. From our perspective, the withdrawal agreement appears to offer the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It would be both unwise and inappropriate of me to enter into a dialogue on the floor of the House on the subject matter of a visa application. Everybody would accept that. I am happy to talk to the Deputy about the facts if he drops me a note on the issue at hand.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: It is certainly not as simple or straightforward as has been suggested by the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As stated last week, I am giving consideration to a report commissioned by the justice committee. I am keen to continue open consultations with all of the groups. I would welcome a submission from Deputy Eamon Ryan and his colleagues as well. It is important we do not lose the momentum on this issue and that we would proceed at the earliest opportunity, notwithstanding the complexities...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I had concluded my contribution and ask respectfully that the amendment be put.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I understand where the Senator is coming from with his new amendment No. 91c. However, given that the amendment operates on the basis of the existing section 44, we have considered similar amendments and texts previously. Senators will be aware that the existing section 44 is not in keeping with my particular position on the matter. I will table amendments on Report Stage that will, if...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Exactly. I hope he presses it as well. In fact, I would encourage him to do so straight away.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: If it was on Committee Stage, my assumption is that Sinn Féin did not vote with the Government on the occasion. There is a Senator here from that party who might be able to confirm that, but that is my recollection. I ask Senators to accept my bona fides on my inability to speak on behalf of any other party, particularly Sinn Féin, on where it might stand on the Senator's...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Senator McDowell is being entirely reasonable when he says he would like to see the disposition of the Government as far as amendments are concerned at the earliest opportunity. I acknowledge this and will be happy to accommodate him. On the more general issue of the filling of vacancies, particularly the three most senior positions, I do not recall in recent times, if ever, a situation...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I would share Senator McDowell's disappointment. I am very keen, however, having received Government approval, to proceed with the drafting of a Bill to facilitate the appointment of six judges to the Court of Appeal. I do not know the veracity or otherwise of the Law Library talk, to which Senator McDowell refers, but I would share his disappointment if there was any undue relationship...