Results 7,541-7,560 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I was very pleased to announce a fund of €1 million to assist communities to provide CCTV cameras in their localities. I acknowledge the take-up on the part of communities nationally of that funding. I encourage more communities to become involved because the funds have not yet been exhausted. There are a number of preconditions to engagement given the sensitive information that...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This matter was approved by Cabinet yesterday and I expect the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, will take some weeks to engage further. The timeframe is that he will revert to Cabinet in November to advise on next steps. I acknowledge the urgency and importance of this issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The announcement in respect of post offices was made by An Post, not the Government. An Post has given a commitment that there will be a post office in every community of over 500 people and within 15 km-----

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----which is 95% of the rural population, and also within 3 km of the urban population. I am sure everybody in this House will agree the post office network is in need of modernisation and that we need to both maintain and protect a service that meets the needs of communities. I have not yet been speaking to the Minister, Deputy Bruton, but I am sure that, at an early stage, he will be in...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I remind Deputy MacSharry there is an appeals process which his constituents in Ballinfull and others might wish to engage with.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I understand, and Deputies will be aware of the fact, there is a challenge regarding the modernisation of the payment arrangements. I assure Deputies whose constituency offices may have queries on this issue that the old forms in respect of illness benefit will still be accepted and discussions are ongoing on the matter of the new software systems which have been put in place. The object of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I very much regret the distress, upset and trauma being experienced by people in our overcrowded accident departments. It causes difficulty not only for the patients but also for their families and, of course, it stresses people who are working on the front line. However, I acknowledge improvements in what has been regarded as the trolley count. I also acknowledge that budget 2019 provided...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This winter.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the seriousness of the issue. Just before this session, during Question Time to the Minister for Justice and Equality, we had the opportunity to deal with the issue of cyberbullying and the adverse consequences on citizens' mental health. I am taking a legislative proposal in that regard. I acknowledge the work of Deputy Howlin, in particular, on this issue. An additional...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not disagree with what the Deputy has said about rural crime and rural gardaí. The Deputy's colleague, Deputy Cahill, had a specific question on the issue before Deputy Mattie McGrath came into the Chamber. I acknowledge the challenge and difficulty with Garda overtime. This year's overtime bill is in excess of €130 million, which is not sustainable in the context of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased that last week's budget provided €1.7 billion to the Garda Síochána in order to facilitate a very effective and modern police force.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have not had time to read today's An Bord Pleanála decision. I suggest that the Deputy tables a Topical Issue for answer by the Minister, Deputy Ross, maybe later this afternoon.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: That would be a convenient means by which the issue might be addressed. In the meantime I will convey the concerns directly to the Minister, Deputy Ross.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am deputising for the Taoiseach today. I very much regret that it is not within my powers to direct or order the immediate sanction for the upgrading of a road in Deputy Healy's constituency. I am, however, very much aware of that road, traversing as it does the Tipperary constituency from Rosslare Port and leading ultimately to Limerick. I am unable to give sanction today, nor am I in a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I will acknowledge in that regard, however, that last week's budget did see an additional €1.26 billion in capital expenditure being allocated to that Department over the allocation for 2018 to 2021 to that Department. I am not sure the extent to which Deputy Healy has engaged by way of deputation to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ross.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: With the assent of Deputy Healy and having regard to the fact that I am not in a position to grant his request, what I can do is certainly recommend to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Ross, that consideration would be given, notwithstanding his very heavy diary commitments-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----towards a deputation to meet Deputy Healy at the earliest opportunity.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with Deputy Healy that this is an important issue regarding the N24 and other infrastructural projects in the regions. I want to make a brief comment on the importance of the regional Action Plan for Jobs and the success of that programme since it was introduced by the former Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, some years ago. Notwithstanding what...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have not as yet seen the statement to which Deputy Calleary refers and I am not sure if Bord na Móna has made a specific statement on its future intentions. What I do know as a Deputy for the constituency to which Deputy Calleary refers is that Bord na Móna needs to meet some challenges and, to meet them, it must identify new business opportunities that provide profitability. I...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Healy-Rae that I and the Government are fully committed to rebuilding An Garda Síochána to ensure the Garda is effective in dealing with crime, both urban and rural, where it occurs and, ultimately, bringing criminals to justice. I was very pleased to have had a brief opportunity during the summer while in south Kerry to engage with Deputy Healy-Rae, his brother,...