Results 7,941-7,960 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: I am always keen to ensure that Ireland continues to play a leading role within the European Union. In terms of security and defence, I am very conscious of our constitutional position. I am anxious, therefore, to ensure that our people are safe and secure, that we have the modern technological advances to facilitate that and that we keep in close contact with our European colleagues. That...

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

Charles Flanagan: I would have thought it was both logical and desirable that we would participate early. Many of these programmes are only being developed. If we are involved at the initial stage of the development of these programmes, we can have our voice heard and exercise a level of influence. The preparatory work involved will be time-consuming, especially as there are a considerable number of...

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

Charles Flanagan: That would be a matter for the Business Committee. The deadline for notifying the Council is 2 October. That is next week. We were in recess and this is the second week back. I was here last week and we could have arranged to take the motion last week but the committee had a full schedule. If the Business Committee decides to have a Dáil debate on this issue tomorrow, I will be...

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

Charles Flanagan: It was not possible to bring these motions during the summer recess. The Chairman had correspondence about the matter of the summer recess, not that we would want to revisit that, but I accept that schedules can be challenging.

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

Charles Flanagan: I have already said it is my belief that joining afterwards-----

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

Charles Flanagan: It is not that it would make me unhappy. The consequences would be that Ireland would not be participating at the shaping of these programmes, which I believe is important because when we are at the table we can voice and amplify our national interest. There is a particular issue, as far as the relationship with third countries is concerned, that we are very keen to elaborate upon, having...

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

Charles Flanagan: Yes. These programmes are being rolled out. I believe it is important not only that we have a voice at the table early but also that we join in a way that allows us to enjoy a decision-making capacity and voting rights.

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

Charles Flanagan: I always believe it is important that we prepare. We want to be there for the adoption of the proposal at Union level.

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

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

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

Charles Flanagan: There is an impediment in terms of attending a week later. The impediment might be that we might not enjoy voting rights at the adoption of resolutions.

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

Charles Flanagan: I am told on the one hand that I am exaggerating and that we do not have influence while, on the other hand, I am asked why we should bother attending for the initial stages of the drafting of the programme. I do not subscribe to that view. It is important that Ireland takes its seat at the table, fully participates and has voting rights in the decision-making process and can use its...

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

Charles Flanagan: There would be adverse consequences. We would not be involved in the initial stages and would not have voting rights. It would be a signal that we are less than committed to what most member states, including Ireland, regard to be a very welcome development in terms of the sharing of information, closer co-operation and benefitting from a multi-million euro fund such that the Garda...

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

Charles Flanagan: I repeat that it is important that we participate at the earliest opportunity. Should the Houses of the Oireachtas decide otherwise, I will respect that decision. My argument to the committee is that this is a welcome development for Ireland and its security.

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

Charles Flanagan: Having regard to the committee's remit of engaging with An Garda Síochána on particular Garda programmes, I would rather that that issue were answered by representatives of An Garda Síochána because it appears to be an operational matter and an issue that would form part of a programme under the framework that will be designed by the Garda.

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

Charles Flanagan: Having regard to the public utterances of the British Government and, in particular, the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May, I am fully satisfied that there will not be a hard border on the island of Ireland consequent on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Neither I nor the Government are planning for such an eventuality.

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

Charles Flanagan: I regard the Senator's question as being of little relevance as there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland. That is the view of the Irish and British Governments and the European Union.

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

Charles Flanagan: The Government will not countenance the reintroduction of a hard border on the island of Ireland, so the application of any EU funding towards such an endeavour is not an issue.

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

Charles Flanagan: By way of concluding remarks, unless there are further interventions, I point out that the purpose of the proposal is to assist member states of the European Union to intensify co-operation on a cross-border basis. This is done to ensure that we are prepared for terrorist attacks, engaged at a high level in the prevention of such and prepared for investigations of organised crime terrorist...

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

Charles Flanagan: Is the Chairman saying the committee did not have sight of them in advance?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda National Immigration Bureau (26 Sep 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assume the Deputy is referring to the on-line appointment system for registrations. Non-EEA nationals who intend to reside in the State for more than 90 days are required to register their immigration permission to be in the State.  Non-EEA nationals living in Dublin register with the INIS, while non-EEA nationals living outside Dublin register in the Garda District they reside. ...