Results 7,221-7,240 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: We are on section 29.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: We are halfway there.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It seems to me that the burden in paragraph (b) is somewhat lighter than in section (a) in that it does not include specific reference to deliberations on particulars. The particulars of the expressions of interest would be the persons involved and the accompanying documentation that might be included with such an expression.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The actual expression of interest and the particulars that would accompany such an expression would appear to fulfil the obligation under section 29(b) and not the more onerous requirement of a greater level of deliberation in 29(a). It may well be in accordance with the office. In any event, should the Seanad decide on a later Stage to amend the legislation, we will be striking out this...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: They may be any accompanying particulars that would be included with the expression of interest for a position, for reasons as stated, being accompanying particulars that would be included with the letter or note of interest. It could well be that there may be no further particulars other than the expressions of interest.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very reluctant to intervene.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senator McDowell is asking me to state things again. We are now on the 41st hour of Committee Stage. My contention is that we dealt with all of these issues in sections 10 to 12, inclusive. Senator McDowell, in asking me to restate the position, is acknowledging that. I riled Senator Bacik earlier.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I very much regret doing so but I have to intervene again and ask the Acting Chairman to deal with the whole issue of rehashing, repetition and asking me to restate answers I gave on a previous occasion.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, the Senator was named.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chair for the clarification.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I take that as a statement of intent on the part of the Senator that he wants to be in the Dáil at the earliest opportunity to exercise his power to support the repeal of the legislation. In the meantime, I have to say again that this is an important pillar of Government policy. Without repeating issues to which reference has been made by me and others, it is anticipated that the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have the figure to hand, but it is my understanding new office premises have only recently been acquired.The body is only now commencing its duties in accordance with the legislation. However, I am happy to forward the Senator a note on the start-up and running costs for the last 12 months. I assume this information is in its annual report but I do not have that to hand.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Secretary General of the Department will be the Accounting Officer.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Presumably, there will be a close working relationship between the Secretary General of the Department and the director. From my reading of section 21, which deals with the responsibilities and functions of the director, it would appear that there will be a close working relationship between the two and the director has specific responsibility in regard to the Committee of Public Accounts...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This is standard practice and not a novel arrangement within this legislation. I assume that this arrangement applies across similar bodies.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Senator is speaking about different bodies in terms of overall budget. It is envisaged that this commission will have an annual operating budget of €500,000, or thereabouts. The close working relationship between the Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality and the director in respect of the accountability of the director to the Committee of Public Accounts...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The recruitment of staff will be, in the first instance, a matter for the commission. However, staff complement, whether positions will be full time or part time and the rates of pay and conditions applicable will be matters for the commission in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The selection process in respect of the director will be a matter for the Public...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The designation of an appropriate level of staff to deal with the projected workload will be a matter for the commission. As I mentioned earlier in respect of the Department of Justice and Equality Vote, it is a matter of law that the Secretary General of that Department would be the Accounting Officer. It is standard for bodies to provide an accountable person to liaise from time to time...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (14 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162, 167 and 168 together. I would like to acknowledge the Deputy's continued interest in relation to the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes in local communities and the Deputy will be aware that I share her concern regarding this serious public safety issue. I asked my officials to convene cross-agency consultations to ascertain whether there are...