Results 7,801-7,820 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am conscious of this-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Well-----

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I want to make two brief points. First, I will bring my colleagues back to the circumstances of section 22. Its purpose is not to examine expenditure nor to investigate the spending of public moneys. Those matters are provided for in section 21 and by the Committee of Public Accounts. That is appropriate, having regard to normal practice. It is also not the purpose of section 22 to...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Norris. I go back to section 12, which places a firm obligation on the Minister to act by way of ensuring that the type of gaps referred to do not cause difficulty. The Minister, under section 12(1)(b)(i) will request the Public Appointments Service to proceed and trigger the process to facilitate a chair of the body. It would, of course, be undesirable for long periods to...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: With respect, it is time to draw the curtain on this section. We have heard scenarios mentioned that have little basis in reality when we speak about the sudden departure, resignation and incapacity of the chairperson during the months of July or August and the consequent parliamentary gridlock that will ensue with the non-availability of the chairperson to attend. We are merely talking...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Absolutely not. The contrary is the case. I know of no other piece of legislation this year that has attracted so many amendments, many of which have been accepted by Government and some of which have been foisted on Government, but all of which are important in the context of this debate. My only regret here is that I am being drawn down rabbit warrens by Senators to explain the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is unethical.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Expenditure (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that there has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was refused for reasons provided to the person concerned in a letter issued on 6 February 2018 advising of the decision. There is no appeals process provided for under legislation. However, it is open to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons concerned are the subject of Deportation Orders made on 15 September 2017. These orders require the persons concerned to remove themselves from the State and to remain out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa for any purpose. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits, with the Visa Officer having regard to all of the information and documentation available. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (4 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that if an application for International Protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications and the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office directly either by email to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Overtime (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I listened carefully to the Deputy. I want to clarify that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of the very substantial budget that An Garda Síochána receives. I do not politically interfere in policing matters nor direct the Commissioner where to deploy resources. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of his identified...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Overtime (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am concerned to ensure that any potential misunderstanding of this issue is firmly avoided. Management of Garda overtime is not a matter for which I have responsibility as Minister. Budgetary provision for An Garda Síochána is more than €1.6 billion, including an allocation of almost €100 million for overtime. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: A number of issues are involved here. I along with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and other stakeholders are actively involved in finding solutions. On the specific issue the Deputy raised, I am speaking with the Attorney General to ascertain whether primary legislation is warranted. I would be happy to continue my communication with the Deputy on the issue.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sexual Offences Data (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the opportunity to address this important topic raised by Senator Ruane and I congratulate her on her recent publication. I acknowledge her courage and bravery in the many interviews and public engagements she has undertaken in recent weeks. It is my belief that she has started a national conversation and, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I very much welcome that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sexual Offences Data (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased that this debate is taking place and I thank Senator Ruane for engaging on it. I am here, as Minister, to hear her views and take her advices on the issue. I will do that because sexual violence is a sensitive issue and a gross violation of the individual, not only physically but psychologically and emotionally. Due to the complexities, undertaking a survey into the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Colm Burke for raising this matter. It is distressing when the remains of deceased people are sometimes discovered on land or washed ashore on our coasts, as in the case mentioned by the Senator. The relevant State authorities make every effort to identify such people by whatever means possible. I am informed by coroners that fortunately there are very few cases in which...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coroners Service (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Senator that I have asked the various divisions and agencies under the remit of my Department to study carefully his proposal for the establishment of a special section to deal with the remains of unidentified people. I will not be in a position to give a definitive response until that consideration has been completed. I commend the Senator on his interest in this matter. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Prosecutions Data (3 Oct 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As I previously advised the Deputy, my Department has already requested a report on this matter from the Garda authorities, however this report has not yet been received. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is actively following up on this request with An Garda Síochána and as soon as the report is to hand I will contact the Deputy directly with an update.