Results 8,721-8,740 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I can assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime activity is a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána. I am...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 161 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the distribution of personnel is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continually monitored...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bail Law (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Last year the Government strengthened the bail system with the introduction of the Criminal Justice Act 2017. This is an important piece of legislation, which strengthens the powers of the Courts and of the Gardaí in dealing with persistent serious offenders. The Act places a greater emphasis on the rights and the safety of victims and of the public in bail decisions, while continuing...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 162 together. As the Deputy will be aware, a decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the presiding Judge, who is, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of his or her judicial functions. There is also a constitutional presumption in favour of the grant of bail as, under Irish Law, a person is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law-abiding lives...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 169 together. I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that as of 4 July 2018 there were 4,000 prisoners in custody with a bed capacity of 4,269 which allows for the safe and secure custody for all categories of prisoner. This equates to an occupancy rate of 94%. I can inform the Deputy that all committals to the prison service...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) continues to review serious cases that remain unsolved including the identification of evidence and witnesses to assist in the development of these cases. I am further advised that at the conclusion of each review by the SCRT, a substantive report is provided to the Senior Investigating Officer who considers...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, periods of temporary release granted can vary greatly from a few hours following a family bereavement to, for example, a requirement to report to the prison every 12 months in the case of a life sentence prisoner who has been released into the community a considerable time ago. It is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy for all forms of temporary release...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the two bodies responsible for forensics in relation to policing in Ireland are the Garda Síochána National Technical Bureau and Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), which is under my Department. Both operate to the highest standards and their staff are to be commended on their expertise and dedication to the application of science to crime investigation in...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by the Commissioner that the total number of women in all ranks of An Garda Síochána as of the 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available, was 3,628 or 26.6% of the total strength. This compares favourably with the number on 31 December 2008, which was 3,130 or 21.7% of the total strength. For the Deputy's information I have set out in the...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am sure the Deputy will agree that we are all immensely grateful to An Garda Síochána for their outstanding dedication and commitment and for the important role, all too frequently putting themselves in danger, that they play in our society. It is imperative that Gardaí are protected in carrying out their work and that the law reflects and responds to the situations in which...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by An Garda Síochána that the number of persons reported missing in each year, as well as the number of missing persons that remain untraced at the end of each year, is published in An Garda Síochána's annual reports, which are available online. In addition, the Garda National Missing Persons Bureau maintains a table of statistics by year for the number of...

Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016: Report Stage (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle, could I ask what amendments are under discussion?

Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016: Report Stage (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: No. Thank you for the clarification, a Cheann Comhairle.

Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016: Order for Report Stage (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Commissioner Appointment (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Neither I nor the Government will delay the appointment of Mr. Drew Harris. The appointment of a new Garda Commissioner is always significant, but it is particularly so with the appointment of Mr. Harris, the first person from outside the jurisdiction to be appointed to the position since the establishment of An Garda Síochána almost 100 years ago. The new Commissioner is a person...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Commissioner Appointment (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I look forward to working with the incoming Commissioner. Our shared objective is ensuring the security of the State and the safety of the public. I am sure the Deputy and all other Members of the House will join me in wishing Mr. Drew Harris every success as Garda Commissioner and assuring him of our support at this challenging time as he takes up the position during what is an interesting...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Commissioner Appointment (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I want to acknowledge the hurt, loss and sense of suffering on the part of all victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland over the years. I also want to acknowledge the broad welcome the appointment of Mr. Drew Harris as Garda Commissioner has received. This is the first occasion upon which the independent Policing Authority has recommended a candidate to...

Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have any knowledge of the matter raised. I would be happy to hear from the Deputy if he has any specific issues. I remind him, however, that the courts are independent of these Houses.

Questions on Promised Legislation (4 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the report by the influential Council of Europe body to which Deputy Howlin refers. The report will be submitted for assessment to the Government tomorrow, as is normal in these circumstances. I have read the report. Without pre-empting any decision of Government, it is my expectation that the report will be published in due course, perhaps as early as tomorrow afternoon....