Results 7,661-7,680 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, I can do it within the one minute remaining. The answer to the question about the payment to the civil servants------

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, the payment of the director, who will be a civil servant, will be from the commission's allocation which has yet to be determined. As for the Senator's second question, it is a technical reference to where provision is made elsewhere in the Bill to funding a particular purpose.For example, it is in subsection 11(2) and subsection 30(2) in terms of a support office. It is a provision...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senator McDowell posed a number of questions to which, because of their inconsistency, it would just not be possible to provide accurate responses. On the one hand, it seems the Senator is making the case that, by comparison with the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, there is in some way unnecessary expenditure. On the other hand, he seems to be arguing in favour of an increased amount...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Salaries are estimated to be in the region of €300,000 to €350,000. I am not in a position to provide Senators with detail as to the office accommodation. If there is to be a directorate or commission with a staff of four, five or six, it is not difficult to work out the accommodation required. No decisions have been made as far as this is concerned. It is most unlikely,...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I want to-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I again assure Senators that there is nothing unique about the funding arrangements for this new body as set out in the legislation. Senator McDowell referred to section 30(2). I point to section 11(1)(b), which stipulates that funding, whether for the permanent members of the commission, lay members of the board or any other expenditure, will be in accordance with accepted practice and...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senator McDowell quoted selectively from the half of a leaflet which he produced without notice. I do not agree with the comments of my Cabinet colleague, Deputy Ross, regarding our Judiciary. I acknowledge the impartiality of our Judiciary.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge its total independence. On the current appointments process, I very much resent allegations or assertions of any form of cronyism, which is the word used by Senator McDowell. The Minister, Deputy Ross, is not a member of my political party. I acknowledge his role in Government and that this is a Government-sponsored Bill which will be piloted by me as the Minister for Justice...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Senator McDowell will know from his time as a member of Cabinet that all decisions made by the Government, whether on amendments made to legislation or on the heads of a Bill, are made following due process.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: What is intended in the section regarding the accounts is, in standard form and standard practice, a reference to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Comptroller and Auditor General. This is important in the context of ensuring prudent management of public moneys. I agree with Senator McDowell that it would be futile to oppose it and, in the circumstances, having regard...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: No.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Reference was made to a comedy show on television in a neighbouring jurisdiction. It may be 16 October but it seems the Christmas panto season has come to the Seanad early, and that is regrettable in the context of what we are debating. We seem to have spent the past 20 minutes discussing an amendment which was not moved by dint of the absence of a proposer.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It was ruled out of order by the Chair yet the Chair encouraged people to make contributions on it.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Not only were the Senators not speaking on the section, Senator McDowell was speaking on a putative amendment which Senator Norris said he might introduce at some future stage. He did not even attempt to discuss the amendment which the Leas-Chathaoirleach ruled out of order, a ruling on which he then failed to follow up. I have told Senator Norris on other occasions not to misrepresent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There is no requirement for citizens of either jurisdiction to carry passports when travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA). However, it is the case that airline carriers in many instances require their passengers to have a passport in possession before allowing them to board the aircraft. As such, this is not an immigration requirement. Unlike the operational practices at some UK...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Claims Agency (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the role of the State Claims Agency includes management of personal injury and property damage claims brought against certain State authorities. I understand that the State Claims Agency is managing the claim referred to by the Deputy on behalf of An Garda Síochána. I am assured by the State Claims Agency that it is in regular contact with the persons...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Leave to Remain (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am assured there is no dispute between the International Protection Office (IPO) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The IPO, GNIB and the Policy Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department liase closely in relation to the granting, notification and registration of permissions to remain in the State. Recently, the bodies have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff Data (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together. The following tables outline the promotions to the grade of Principal Officer as a result of internal competitions held in my Department since July 7th 2015 and open Principal Officer competitions in 2015 and 2017 run by the Public Appointments Service. Figures are also included in respect of Department of Justice and Equality Prison...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sexual Offences Data (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, the expert Scoping Group has completed a draft report considering the availability of data and making recommendations on a study to identify the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland and emerging trends. A further piece of technical work is now being completed so that proposals can be brought to Cabinet in the coming weeks. I can assure the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (16 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility to manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members and civilian staff. I, as Minister have no function in such matters. As the Deputy will...