Results 8,681-8,700 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. A letter issued to the person concerned on 29 June 2018 requesting certain documentation and a reply is awaited.  Upon receipt of the requested...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. The Garda Building and Refurbishment...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Controls (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that consideration can be given to the renewal of an immigration permission of a person who does not hold a valid passport, if that person can give a satisfactory explanation of any circumstances that may prevent them from producing a valid passport, subject of course to all other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On 27 June last the Government announced that we had successfully opted in to the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive. This is a major reform. In effect, when coupled with the programme of reform we have undertaken in recent years, it fundamentally alters the 'direct provision' system as we know it or as it has been described. As a Government we sought to address...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As I stated last week when the latest crime statistics were released by the CSO, I am disappointed to see the slight increase in burglary and theft offences nationally for Q1 2018 when compared to the same period in 2017; however, let me assure the Deputy that this Government remains committed to helping An Garda Síochána tackle all forms of criminality in our communities. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Constitutional Amendments (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 61 together. On 26 September 2017, the Government decided on an indicative timetable for a number of referendums to be held in 2018 and 2019. Under this timetable, and subject to passage of the necessary Bills by the Houses of the Oireachtas and formal confirmation of the polling date, it is proposed to hold referendums in October 2018 on the...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 65 together. 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. As Commissioner, Mr Harris will have the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Meetings (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In 2018,  while there was no direct engagement with members of the Scottish or Welsh Executive,  I have had a number of interactions with my counterparts in the UK Government.  This included a bilateral with the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice  in the margins of the informal JHA Council in Sofia along with a phone conversation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Firstly, as the Deputy will be aware, Ireland ratified the UN Convention against Torture in 2002. This Government and previous Governments are fully committed to this Convention and have fully participated in all that its ratification entails. The Optional Protocol to the Convention  (OPCAT) dates from 2007; it is in addition to the Convention and is designed to...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. Significant efforts are being made by the...

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

Charles Flanagan: At the outset, let me say that I share the Deputy's concern that any member of An Garda Síochána would, having received training in the Code of Ethics, refuse to or fail to sign it.  The development of the Code by the Policing Authority was one of its landmark achievements in its first year and I know the work that went in to bringing it to fruition.  It is an...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a new Community-based CCTV grant-aid Scheme was launched by my Department in April 2017 to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. It is intended that the Scheme will run for 3 years with...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources and the Minister for Justice and Equality has no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps the 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. The Commissioner established the Garda National...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The effect of rape and sexual assault on victims can be devastating. The prosecution of sexual offences must be conducted with sensitivity to the needs of the complainant, while still respecting the rights of the accused person. The review which I have announced will examine all aspects of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences to ensure that there is a compassionate and fair...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: At the outset, I want to assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the impact that these types of crime can have on communities, and I can assure him that this Government remains committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The challenges...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), is an entirely independent body, who ultimately decides whether or not a person should be prosecuted and for what offence and I, as Minister, have no role in the independent function of that Office. However, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following table outlines the number of incidents recorded for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As I stated in my replies to the Deputy in Parliamentary Questions 72 of 23 May 2018 and 52 of 6 February 2018 and also in recent correspondence, there are established and successful pathways for resettlement in Ireland. While Ireland participates in a resettlement programme led by the UNHCR, it is the UNHCR which assesses each case and makes a referral to a participating State. The...

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

Charles Flanagan: As I stated last week when the latest crime statistics were released by the CSO, the rise in the recorded incidents of sexual assault, and particularly incidents of rape, is something this Government continues to take very seriously. Those found to have committed such abhorrent crimes will face the full force of the criminal justice system. While the Deputy will appreciate that the...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including the opening times of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no role in the matter. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Recidivism Rate (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: My Department recognises that, in order to protect the public and reduce reoffending behaviour, a joined up approach to the management of offenders is essential. There are a number of ongoing joint initiatives and policies which my Department leads across the criminal justice agencies aimed at preventing crime, increasing detection of crime, rehabilitation and supporting desistance from crime...