Results 9,221-9,240 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I expect we will be able to move on to conclude that within the next few weeks. We received submissions in April, which have been under consideration. That consideration will be completed in June or early July and we will be then be back to the newly-appointed Inspector of Prisons, whose appointment I welcome. I recently had an opportunity to meet her. After that, we will be in a position...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As far as the right to work is concerned, there will be no restriction on that right to those who are in direct provision; it would involve everybody who has an engagement with the system. I am keen to ensure the new regime will be open, broadly based and will not merely acknowledge any skills deficit we might have in our labour market but will acknowledge the expertise and the experience of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: That matter is currently before GSOC. I am aware of the contents of the report but would not wish to comment on anything that is before GSOC. However, I hope the issue can be advanced at the earliest opportunity, having regard to the concern raised.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would rather not make any comment on the details of the matter in terms of confidence or otherwise until such time as matters are investigated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: We have allowed access to self-employment and I have granted 484 applications for self-employment permission. I want to acknowledge the point that Senator Black made in terms of the period of time under which the application is for consideration. It is important we continue to work on minimising that delay to ensure there is no inordinate delay, having regard to the fact there needs to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I very much accept what the Senator has said and maybe it is a matter we might revisit by way of a Commencement matter in the Seanad or at some further opportunity. I am very keen to ensure that those who are in the prison system receive an appropriate level of treatment, be it medical, psychiatric or psychological, from the health authorities. In the course of my visits to prisons, I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I respond by saying that my aim is to do all I can to make as much information from the Crowley report as possible available to the McAnespie family. I will continue to work with that aim in that regard. However, it is important that we recognise the fact that the Deputy Commissioner Crowley's report made clear, as the Deputy will recall, that many in the local community feared harassment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Members of the community who co-operated explicitly requested anonymity and were given assurances in that regard. It is fair to say that many only co-operated with Deputy Commissioner Crowley on the strict understanding that their contributions would be confidential and that what they related was not going to be made public or passed on to others involved. I acknowledge the helpful...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Chairman will acknowledge that there are references to third parties, however.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I will just add something which may be of benefit to the Chair and to members of the committee who have an interest in this matter. I accept what has been put to me, which is that, as an initial step, consideration might be given to seeking the views of those who co-operated and to seeing how they now stand in the context of what was said at the time and what has been produced in the report...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As a second point, which is perhaps for later on but which is not insignificant, contact would have to be made with everybody who has been mentioned in this report in any way. That would involve many more than the number of witnesses who came forward to give evidence. It would involve people to whom reference was made. That leaves us in a challenging position. We have been in contact with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Chair is right on both counts. I will look at it again. My recollection, however, is that it involves people other than my Department. I will certainly have a look at it and I will also revert early.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, I will.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is over five years ago since I met Mrs. O'Farrell. I acknowledge her sincerity, her sense of determination and, of course, her deep sense of loss and grievance. I am now subject to a vote of the Dáil, which is under consideration. That vote will take place tomorrow. I am also conscious that an independent body, GSOC, is continuing an investigation which could well result in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Pardon?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Oh yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I note, from the committee's programme of business, that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is due here in two weeks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: This is an issue within which he has officially designated responsibilities. I would rather leave these matters for that meeting, at which Deputy Finian McGrath would be in a position to provide the committee with his stated timeframes. In the context of his ministerial responsibility, I have acknowledged the designated role he has under law, and I have been happy enough to allow him to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: One of my priorities in the Department of Justice and Equality is that we move towards a dedicated family law unit within the current Courts Service structures. This will involve capital investment, dedicated judges and something of a transformation of what is a less than satisfactory regime in which the State manages its family law issues. The Act is at a very early stage of preparation....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána Oversight and Accountability: Minister for Justice and Equality (13 Jun 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to acknowledge progress, though, in respect of specialist family judges and specialist family lists. However, having acknowledged progress, I would like to see a separate division within the Courts Service in our law.