Results 7,921-7,940 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The proposals are at an early stage. There has been a general welcome for them across EU states. Some states have indicated they are not particularly happy with every aspect of every proposal. Ireland has no particular concerns with the proposal as currently drafted. However, we very much welcome our inclusion. The Government is anxious to become involved in the process early and that is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Irish officials are very much involved. I am involved at home affairs level with the European Council and subcommittees thereof. As far as the monitoring of this issue is concerned, Ireland has a seat at the table and is very much actively involved at working group level and on the subcommittee on financial instruments relating to justice and home affairs through our office in Brussels and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have not been party to any discussions on those issues. That would be an issue more particular to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Government gives the highest priority to the security of the State and while there is not, and has not been, a specific threat to Ireland from international terrorist organisations, there is no complacency, as I have said previously. It is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Government maintains strong bilateral relations with the UK and France. These may be issues that form part of bilateral discussions from time to time but this is an instrument relating to internal security funding. No aspect of this relates to a defence or military purpose. The UK is not participating, as it is leaving the European Union, and, therefore, I am not sure whether the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: France is not leaving the Union but this relates to internal security measures by way of precaution. This committee is not engaged in the broader policy issue of bilateral relations between Ireland and France in terms of advice or otherwise. That is not part of today's debate.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Of course, it is a concern. The security of the EU and Ireland's domestic borders is a matter of considerable concern. The Union is putting together an internal fund for disbursement throughout member states. Ireland is opting in and it is all about internal EU security and funding. We are not dealing with the overall foreign policy of other EU countries. However important it might be, it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has no plans in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: That will largely depend on the types of programmes we participate in. A sum of €5 million will be provided in respect of the initial schemes. Assuming Ireland engages in better information exchange and increased operational co-operation, it is intended that the allocation will increase over the period of the programme.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is an initial €5 million. It is estimated it could rise to €9 million and perhaps more.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It will depend on the number of programmes involved. Initially, the allocation will be €5 million and the likelihood is, as we engage in further programmes in the overall scheme, the allocation will rise in the context of the nine programmes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The level of programmes will be worked out between the Garda Síochána and the European Commission. That is why we are very keen to have this matter addressed at the earliest opportunity. Opting in now will allow us to participate in the initial €5 million portion and then the further amounts in accordance with the breakdown. As far as the thematic arrangement is concerned,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The disbursement and distribution of the funding will be through Brussels. It is too early to say there will be a permanent operational office. This is something that may well be considered in the context of the ongoing evolution of the programme.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This will be a fund administered through the Garda Síochána.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There will not be a mandate for the Department of Defence. We will continue to work closely with the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána will prepare the aspects of the programme for Ireland in conjunction with the European Commission. There is no front-line involvement by the Department of Defence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Would it be-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This programme will be exclusively led by the Garda Síochána. Any involvement of military personnel or the Department of Defence will be in the context of current relations and discussions between the Garda Síochána and the Department of Defence as far as emergency planning and otherwise-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, but there will not be any designated funding within this programme for military personnel or the Department of Defence. This is exclusively the responsibility of the Garda Síochána.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have any information on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: There are nine programmes being funded in the 2014-20 period. These involve the sharing of information, the application of appropriate hardware domestically and across the European Union and the appropriate software that will allow for the sharing of information and identification, for example, of passengers. Some of the schemes under the EU Prüm Convention are automatic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: International Security Fund: Motion (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very keen, having regard to the current international situation and the changing nature of organised crime and international terrorism, that Ireland fully participates in order to ensure we are best placed to protect our people. Whether that involves the creation of new agencies or closer co-operation under current agencies is something that is under discussion as developments evolve.