Results 6,061-6,080 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Government can accept a recommendation and convey that to the Head of State or it can be at liberty to reject any or all of the names. I note the point raised by Senator McDowell as to what happens in the event of all the names being rejected. It will then be a matter for the commission to take stock and seek further expressions of interest, if that is what it wishes to do. The...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: -----for many years, ignored by the commission, and that this would amount to a gross dereliction of duty on the part of the commission for failing to recommend this legal wizard in position number one. Quite frankly, I do not foresee circumstances under which that will arise because I again point out the changes that were made in the Bill after the Dáil debate to the effect that the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: They will be on the commission too.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Government can, ultimately, recommend-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Ultimately, the Government can, in the circumstances, recommend whom it wants for appointment whom it wants. It could be somebody from a list or an individual who is not on a list. It can also send a list back to the commission.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I fundamentally disagree with Senator McDowell, who wishes to perpetuate the tap-on-the-shoulder system, which is far from transparent. It has given rise to the need for a legislative change in other jurisdictions and was behind this reform process in 2014, when a consultation process was undertaken. We are moving to regularise the system relating to the appointment of judges. It happens...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I will withdraw the word "regularise" if it implies an irregularity regarding the current method. I do not mean that it is irregular but it is informal. I will substitute "formalise" for "regularise" if Senator McDowell is of the view that I am in some way disparaging of the current methods. It is important to formalise the process and that is what we are doing here. I do not intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Status (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. There is specific provision made in the Act in relation to persons resident on the island of Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Custody and Access (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Irish family law places an emphasis on recognising the rights of a child to the society of both his or her parents. Very significant modernisation of the law in this area was brought about in 2015 with the enactment of the Children and Family Relationships 2015, which amended extensively the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. The reforms in family law provided for in that Act recognise...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In furtherance of this commitment, a grant-aid scheme to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas is being administered by my Department. In total, funding of €1 million is available each year for three years. Eligible groups, including community...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 provides for two new offences of paying for sexual activity with a prostitute and paying for sexual activity with a trafficked person. The Act also removes those who offer their services as a prostitute from the existing offences of soliciting for the purpose of prostitution. Part 4 of the Act specifies that, not later than 3 years...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Inquiries (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 269, 279 and 280 together. The Deputy will recall that last June the Dáil passed a motion calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fatal road incident in which a young man, Shane O'Farrell, tragically lost his life. Since the passing of the Dáil motion I have been considering how best to give effect to the wishes of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Powers (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the issue referred to in the Deputy's question and of the reported comments of the Garda authorities. Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides that the Commissioner is responsible for the direction and control of the Garda Síochána. This issue is clearly an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and I have no role in that regard. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I have been advised by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána that the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) has introduced a process whereby specific homicide incidents, which are believed to have involved domestic violence, are the subject of review. The purpose of each review is to establish lessons which can be learned from examining the circumstances of an incident,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Text Alert Scheme, which was developed with the support of Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch and the Irish Farmers Association, was introduced in September 2013. The scheme provides an effective means for Gardaí to distribute local crime prevention information and advice. I understand that approximately 200,000 text messages are sent under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Spent Convictions (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 provides that a person is not obliged to disclose certain convictions which are over 7 years old, subject to specified limitations. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the following convictions are now spent: 1) All convictions in the District Court for motoring offences which are more than 7 years old...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Certificates (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Wards of Court (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in wards of court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that there are two categories of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned requested permission to remain on 8 October 2018. It would appear, from a preliminary examination, that the person's presence in the State is unlawful. The Deputy will appreciate that, under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2004, a non-national may not be in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (5 Feb 2019)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in the operation of Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, or the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which are operational matters for the Garda Commissioner. However, I have sought a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the requested statistics. I will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of said report.