Results 6,481-6,500 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I remind Senator McDowell once again, when he talks about the contact between the commission and applicants, of a later section to which we will be addressing our attention at some stage, namely, section 53(5)(g) and (h), which would appear to cover the points of concern and query for the Senator in respect of communication.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to make a point of order. Will the Acting Chairman remind the House that we are debating, and have been for the past 40 minutes, amendment No. 85, which covers a different issue from that to which the Senator is referring?

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have no wish to intervene unduly but we have heard all the points that Senator McDowell has mentioned and is mentioning. I am not saying they are not important. They are, but there is now a form of repetition that, to my mind, is deliberately inhibiting progress on an important Bill. Senator McDowell is right when he says that we are dealing with the fundamentals of the Bill, but we have...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I accept all of that.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I will comment on amendment No. 85b. This is the territory around which we have been debating all afternoon the amendments of Senator Bacik and Senator McDowell.To be fair to Senator McDowell, he has indicated on all occasions and at every remove in the course of this legislation both in here and outside, his implacable opposition to the concept of any serving member of the Judiciary, in...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: That is what has been painted yet again by Senator McDowell, but that is not going to happen. It makes for a good debate, and it makes for good drama and effect. While Senator McDowell makes no secret of the fact that he wishes to have a widespread derogation from this legislation and from the commission for members of the superior courts, it is unacceptable to broaden out a commission...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The judgment was made by the Government, having considered all aspects of the issues to which I referred. The heart of the matter is that as far as section 39 is concerned, anyone who wishes to be considered for appointment to judicial office shall make the application to the commission. That specifically includes a person who may be a serving member of the Judiciary. This issue has...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is a policy issue.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There would be a voting process.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together. The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have been made aware of this study, which was published on 11 December 2018 and my officials are considering its findings. However, I would note that none of the quantitative studies cited in the study examined the effects of the criminalisation of sex purchase in isolation, and only one of the 37 qualitative studies cited dealt with the Swedish approach to decriminalisation which was the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that, as per Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 22 November 2018, the then Director General of the Irish Prison Service reviewed the file relating to the person named in 2017 and was satisfied that proper procedures were followed in relation to his dismissal. I am further advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is currently engaged in an overhaul of the existing primary explosives legislation. A comprehensive new Explosives Bill is currently with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The total expenditure incurred by INIS on ICT-related matters during 2016, 2017 and 2018 (to end November) is as follows: Year ICT Expenditure 2016 €4,945,649 2017 €4,937,943 2018 (to end November) €4,530,820 Projected spend for 2019 is estimated at €7.4m.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Information and Communications Technology (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. This represents an increase of over 6% over the initial allocation for 2018. Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including investment of €342...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: My Department engages in public information campaigns, where appropriate, in order to draw attention to important issues in the Justice and Equality sector. In recent years, the focus in my Department has been on drawing attention to domestic violence and human trafficking. The specific information requested by the Deputy in respect of 2018 is currently being compiled by officials in my...