Results 6,521-6,540 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: English Language Training Organisations (19 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy may be aware that a whole of Government approach was developed and implemented following the unexpected closure of a number of English language schools in 2014 and 2015. A taskforce including officials from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department and the Department of Education and Science developed a joint policy and operational response to tackle...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter. I have requested the specific information from the Commissioner and I will write...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter. I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. The Garda strength, The Garda Reserve strength, Community Gardaí strength...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Resources (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the House yet again I am absolutely committed to supporting An Garda Síochána to ensure the organisation is properly and appropriately resourced. The resources available to An Garda Síochána have reached new levels with the provision for this year of more than €1.6 billion, including an allocation of €95 million in respect of Garda overtime. We are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Resources (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I also note the presence of Deputy Breathnach for the debate. At Deputy O’Dowd’s invitation, I visited Drogheda Garda station last week when I was impressed by the robust response of the Garda authorities in the area. High visibility patrolling and targeted checkpoints have been successful in containing further major incidents...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased to introduce the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018 to the House. The Bill is significant for two main reasons. The first is that it will enable Ireland to prosecute violent crimes committed abroad by Irish citizens and residents in certain states. The second is that it is the final legislative action that is required to enable Ireland to ratify the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I sincerely thank Senators, not only for facilitating this debate in what is a very busy week for Seanadóirí, but also to acknowledge their input and views on what is an important piece of legislation. The primary aim of ratifying the Istanbul Convention is to combat violence against women and violence in a domestic setting. It is an issue I acknowledge that we all feel strongly...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I did not mean to touch a nerve with Senator Boyhan, but I obviously-----

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I obviously did touch a nerve. In the spirit of Christmas, however, I hope we will have an opportunity to engage constructively on any similar related items of legislation which we are anxious to pass through the House in a timely and appropriate way. To Senator Higgins I say that the National Women's Council of Ireland last week called for this convention to be ratified in advance of, or...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018: Second Stage (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senators for their valuable contributions. I hope we can work together to ensure that the Bill will be enacted as soon as possible. I have taken note of some of the issues raised by Senators and I look forward to the Committee Stage debate.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In June 2018, my Department recruited an external legal expert to assist in the preparation of draft regulations in relation to decision-making assistance agreements, co-decision-making agreements, certain matters relating to decision-making representatives, and enduring powers of attorney. These regulation-making powers are provided for in sections 10(4), 31, 45(3), 45(4), 46(3) and 79 of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Law Reform Commission Reports (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The recommendation referred to by the Deputy states that it would be preferable for such a unit to be established within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. As the Deputy is aware, given the independent nature of that Office, any decision around the allocation of resources within that Office is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and it would therefore be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 15 November 2018. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Dec 2018)

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 ongoing. A letter issued to the person concerned on 11 December 2018 requesting certain documentation and a reply is awaited. Upon receipt of the requested documentation the case...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 264 to 266, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources. I can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penal Policy Review Group Report (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: An Implementation and Oversight Group (IOG) was established in early 2015 to oversee implementation of the Penal Policy Review Group (PPRG) recommendations. This Group is chaired by Dr Mary Rogan, and includes officials from the Department of Justice and Equality, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Garda Síochána. Its primary function is to report to me, on a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 263, inclusive, together. The matters referred to by the Deputy relate to 50 actions contained in the national drugs strategy, “Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery” - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. The strategy is a dynamic process that is monitored through the key national, regional and local...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Appeals (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application referred to was initially refused on 30 April 2018. While that decision was upheld on appeal, the applicant was permitted on an exceptional basis to appeal the decision again. She was advised to submit her appeal by 28 September 2018 but failed to do so. It is open to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting (18 Dec 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together. The Deputy will appreciate that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by An Garda Síochána primarily in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and...