Results 6,841-6,860 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The two issues on which I want to be of assistance to the Deputy are appropriate Garda training and the nature of the material that is recorded by the Garda on the PULSE system. As stated, many of the issues involved here are more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I say that in the context of my wish to ensure that any issues particular to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to see how matters can be taken forward in order to assist the Deputy further. I acknowledged earlier that the specific information sought by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan is not recorded on PULSE. However, the Garda authorities advise that PULSE incident types classified as control of horses and offences against animals, which from a search of a narratives appear to relate to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The possession, sale and supply of controlled drugs is governed almost entirely by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.  The possession of any controlled substance without due authorisation is an offence under the Act.  The legislation distinguishes between possession for personal use, which is dealt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raises a very important issue which exercises many Members including, I am sure, Deputies O'Callaghan and Curran, who are seated beside him. I want to refer to the effectiveness of the minimum mandatory sentence for drug offences to which the Deputy refers. While acknowledging, as Deputy Brendan Smith does, the separation of powers and that the matter of sentencing is an issue...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Animal Welfare (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. She has long been a voice against cruelty and neglect and has debated the subject on a number of occasions in the House and at committee. It is also appropriate that I pay tribute to the important role played by animal welfare charities such as the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA, and the Dublin Society for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of appropriate expertise in An Garda Síochána as its members undertake important work on a daily basis and, in the issue raised by Deputy O'Callaghan, work of a sensitive and personal nature. The setting up by the Garda Commissioner of the divisional protective services units is one of the actions outlined in the second national strategy on domestic,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of the specialist training to which the Deputy refers. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that all Garda personnel receive training in the investigation of incidents considered to be domestic abuse in all its forms with additional training provided to gardaí who have been selected for duties as detectives. Further and more specific training has been...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy makes a reasonable point. I acknowledge an increase of 8% in the Garda Síochána Vote in the recent budget. There is €1.7 billion available to the Garda Commissioner to engage in the type of activity he believes is important to ensure the issues raised are dealt with. I am informed that all Garda personnel receive training in the matter of domestic abuse. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am concerned about the specific issue of delay and the time lapse from the date upon which a complaint is initially reported to the matter appearing in court. This is an issue that is being looked at by the review group, and I do not wish to pre-empt its findings, but I want to acknowledge that there have been significant improvements in the manner in which victims are treated within the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The review is at an advanced stage and nearing completion. It is vitally important that victims of sexual assault feel able to report matters to An Garda Síochána. It is equally important that complainants in sexual assault cases are spared any unnecessary distress in the investigation and prosecution of such offences and cases. As Deputy O'Callaghan noted, a review of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Criminal Law Review (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the bulk of what Deputy O'Callaghan has to say and acknowledge his expertise in this matter. I am very keen to listen to what all Deputies have to say on this important issue because it is essential we have appropriate legal protections available to complainants. I acknowledge again the work, assistance, guidance and leadership of many of the non-governmental organisations on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Referendum Campaigns (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Under the timetable approved by Government on 26 September 2017, it is proposed to hold a referendum on divorce together with the European Parliament and local elections in 2019. In that regard, I am advised that the timeframe for the European Parliament elections is 23 to 26 May 2019. The Government has decided to support the Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Divorce) Bill...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is committed to complying with all of the recommendations of the Ombudsman in relation to the operation of Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme. In relation to the Ombudsman's principal recommendation that the Scheme should be applied to women who worked in the laundry of one of the 12 'Magdalen' Institutions and who were resident in one of 14 adjoining institutions,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The issue raised by the Deputy’s question is a very complex one. It is, however, based on the proposition that an investigation must, necessarily, relate to an individual rather than to conduct which falls below acceptable standards. For the sake of clarity, let me say that if a member, or indeed, former member of An Garda Síochána is accused of a criminal offence, then it...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In the first instance, I want to clarify that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the allocation of the very substantial resources that An Garda Síochána receives. I do not interfere in policing matters nor can I direct the Commissioner where to deploy resources. The allocation of Garda resources is solely a matter for the Commissioner, in the light of identified...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commissions of Inquiry (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In the first instance, let me again express my sympathy to the family concerned in this tragic case. As Minister, I am very regularly engaged on this case. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded, and has extensive powers under the Garda Síochána Act Act to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The details of the allegations which were published last week in the Irish Examiner are contained in an affidavit to the Court by a prison officer in relation to a personnel issue. The House will understand that I am constrained in what I can say about these proceedings before the courts. That said, these allegations raise serious issues which need to be addressed. I have asked the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, roads policing is one of the key policing priorities contained in Garda annual policing plans. One of the key goals in An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan for the current year was to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads arising from collisions, including those involving cyclists and pedestrians. I am informed that, to this end,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug and Alcohol Testing (29 Nov 2018)

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 obtained a Garda report on the matters referred to in the Deputy's question. The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Transport,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018 and I am pleased to confirm also that €1.76 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2019. This is an increase of over 6% over the initial allocation for 2018. In terms of capital...