Results 9,501-9,520 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 23:In page 11, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(c) in the case of a member referred to in section 10(1)(g), without the need for a new nomination by the nominator referred to in section 12(8).”.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 21:In page 11, line 27, to delete “or”.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Members will recall last night that we were debating a large group of amendments, many of which were optional, many of which were alternatives, some of which were contradictory and some of which were consequential. A large number of amendments sought to change the composition of the commission to increase the membership of the commission, while at the same time maintaining a lay majority. ...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It seems to me that the Ceann Comhairle has charted a course himself in his opening comments. Following the voting on a number of tabled amendments last night, it would appear that they raise a discrepancy. Having regard to that discrepancy and arising out of what has been agreed here openly, I feel that the only manner in which these issues can now be addressed successfully is in the...

Other Questions: Cyberbullying Issues (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that the Government recognises the importance of integrated actions across all relevant Departments to address online safety, including in order to tackle cyberbullying. Together with my colleagues, the Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs, Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Education and Skills, Deputies Zappone, Denis Naughten and Bruton, I...

Other Questions: Cyberbullying Issues (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I accept that there is an urgency here and that this is extremely important. The Deputy will appreciate that the best means by which this issue is addressed is through a whole-of-Government approach. That is why my colleagues, the Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs, Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Education and Skills share responsibility in this area. From my...

Other Questions: Cyberbullying Issues (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I received a detailed briefing from my colleague, Deputy Neville, on that meeting yesterday, which was very much in line with what Deputy Curran has described. I would say to both Deputies that what we are seeing here is a whole-of-Government approach to this issue. A senior officials' group, convened by the Department of the Taoiseach, is working on the development of an appropriate action...

Other Questions: Garda Resources (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. That said, I am informed by the acting Commissioner, on foot of a review of the computer crime investigation unit under the modernisation programme, that An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capability to deal with cybercrime and cybersecurity...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The distribution of Garda personnel, including the allocation of newly attested gardaí, is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the acting Garda Commissioner that, as of 30 April 2018, the most recent date for which figures are available, the strength of the Donegal division was 394. When appropriate, the work of local...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the fact that there is a pipeline of recruits to An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware that only last week the acting Commissioner introduced a recruitment plan which closes on 6 June. The focus on and investment in personnel are critical. We are now rebuilding the organisation, providing the acting Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In respect of Glenties Garda station and its former status as a district headquarters for the area, it should be noted that the designation of these stations is a matter for the deputy commissioner, in conjunction with the local district and divisional officers, having regard to the policing requirements of Glenties and the surrounding communities. I can however confirm that the Garda...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of what Deputy Scanlon says now that the numbers of Garda Síochána are increasing, towards the target of 21,000 by 2021 because there will be consequences. One of the consequences is the need for increased facilities, one of which is the Garda stations, bricks and mortar. I would be happy to engage with the Deputy on an update on Tubbercurry Garda...

Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am very conscious of the timeframe, and given that the Dáil intends to conclude its work on the legislative programme, and otherwise, by the end of July, it is intended to hold the referendums in conjunction with and on the same day as a presidential election. That would require an early decision by Government. While I am not in a position to advise the House on the nature of the...

Other Questions: Recidivism Rate (23 May 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 crucial and essential. There are a number of ongoing joint initiatives and policies that my Department leads across the criminal justice agencies aimed at preventing crime, increasing detection of crime, rehabilitation...

Other Questions: Recidivism Rate (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy has brought up the role of the Irish prison Service and I acknowledge its importance. In recent years, prison services have placed a much greater emphasis on support services to prevent re-offending, and offering support towards desistance of criminal activity. The Deputy is aware there is a wide range of rehabilitative programmes including education and vocational training;...

Other Questions: Recidivism Rate (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The prison recidivism statistics study to which the Deputy refers is a detailed examination of those who were released from custodial prison sentences in 2010 and whether they were subsequently convicted of a further offence up to the end of 2013. The study findings indicate that the recidivism and re-offending rate was 45.1% for the cohort of offenders released in 2010. When compared to...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that we ensure members of the Garda are doing the job for which they are trained, that is, both availability and visibility. I acknowledge the point Deputy Browne raised in respect of the supervisory ranks. I am advised by the acting Garda Commissioner that competitions for the positions of sergeant and inspector are currently in train. In that regard the requirements of...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Wallace, as I assured Deputy Browne, that every consideration will be given by the Commissioner to areas where specific needs are highlighted. I am happy to convey to the acting Garda Commissioner the views of Deputy Browne. The competitions for promotion in respect of inspectors and sergeants are in the course of completion. I expect that in the coming months consideration...

Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: In 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 offence of blasphemy - Article 40.6.1°.i - and on a woman's...

Other Questions: Referendum Campaigns (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, it is the intention of the Government to hold these two referendums in the autumn. If we do have a presidential election, which is not certain at this stage, that would seem to me to be the most obvious opportunity to ask the people of the country to cast their views on the referendums. In any event, the question to be put before the people has not yet been fully determined by the...