Results 8,641-8,660 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On the Deputy's observations on the GRECO report, I expect that document will be published and available as early as possible after lunch. We will then have an opportunity to resume debate in the Seanad on this issue and, I hope, in this Chamber as well before too long. I acknowledge what the Deputy said because he makes an important point regarding OPCAT responsibilities in areas outside...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On Thursday last, the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, and I announced details of the coming into effect of the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive 2013 which includes enhanced access to the labour market for asylum seekers. In summary, eligible applicants will have access to all sectors of employment, with a small number of exceptions. The directive has much broader impacts...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be aware that the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive requires that access must be provided no later than nine months. To facilitate speedy processing of applications for labour market permission, my officials will accept applications from eight months and permission will be valid immediately from the ninth month. In consultation with Government...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The import of the Deputy's question, in short, is why do we have this system of direct provision and are there any plans to replace or abandon this system. Quite clearly the direct provision system encompasses a range of State services, including food, accommodation, health and education directly provided to international protection applicants through all of the relevant Departments and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland ratified the UN convention against torture in 2002. This and previous Governments are fully committed to the convention and have fully participated in all that its ratification entails. The optional protocol to the convention against torture, OPCAT, dates from 2007. It is in addition to the convention and designed to be preventive in nature. I am fully...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what the Deputy has said about Ireland's campaign to seek a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2021/2022. I take from what he has said that it is a position that has the support of the main Opposition party, which I welcome. It is important in the context of Ireland's standing on the international stage. I acknowledge the importance of the attendance of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources required to carry out the organisation’s duties and this is evidenced by the increased allocation of resources to An Garda Síochána in recent times. Some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018.  As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I am informed by the Commissioner that on 31 May 2018,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cyberbullying Issues (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Law Reform Commission published a comprehensive report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety in September 2016. This report contained a number of recommendations to further strengthen the criminal justice and regulatory response to harm perpetrated online. There is a growing concern around the safety of individuals online, particularly young...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The position is that Article 8 of the General Data Protection Regulation specifies a ‘digital age of consent’ of 16 years but allows Member States to provide for a lower age, but not below 13 years. It means that providers of information society services must make reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of the holder of parental responsibility over the child where such services...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputywill appreciate the provision and allocation of resources for An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and has a national remit. Dog units have also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Firstly let me say that I am pleased that the rigorous selection process conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of the Policing Authority has come to a successful conclusion with the recent decision by Government to appoint Mr. Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner. Mr Harris will take up office for a period of five years commencing in September. This is the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Data Protection (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: During discussions on section 30 of the Data Protection Act 2018 in the Select Committee, and once again during Report Stage discussions, I pointed out that the processing of personal data for marketing and profiling purposes takes place under the so-called “legitimate interests” ground in Article 6.1(f) of the GDPR, and that the Court of Justice had already...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 71 together. The Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of personnel under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources required to carry out the organisation’s duties and this is evidenced by the increased allocation of resources to An Garda Síochána in recent times. Some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018.  As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Policy (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The allocation of social housing and the applicable rules are the matter for the relevant local authorities under the auspices of the Department of Housing. Persons granted International Protection in Ireland have the right to family reunification under the International Protection Act 2015.  The practical arrangements for the housing of persons due to arrive to Ireland as a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Prosecutions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences I have announced is intended to identify the scope for  practical and or legislative steps which would support victims of sexual offences, while fully respecting the rights of the accused. Following a series of preliminary consultations with relevant stakeholder organisations and consideration of their submissions, a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of personnel under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these...