Results 9,521-9,540 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Clare Daly has again made serious allegations in the House. If I have not done so before, I say to her now that she has a responsibility to act accordingly in respect of any information which she has or which comes across her desk in respect of the alleged commission of a crime. I trust that she has done so. I want to again emphasise that I have no authority to direct the Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: A request was made by my Department on 12 February for an update on the investigation. The chair responded to advise that as matters referred to a protected disclosure under the Act, no information could be provided at that time. I want to remind the House yet again that I am awaiting the outcome of any investigation which An Garda Síochána or GSOC is engaged in. I want to remind...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Notwithstanding the acting Commissioner's responsibility, I have provided for the record, in tabular form, the detailed information requested by the Deputy. I am informed by the acting Commissioner that, as of 30 April 2018, the most recent date for which figures are readily available,...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: On Garda strength in the Wexford division, the Deputy will be aware that there are now more gardaí than has been the case since before 2009. I am sure he is very keen that the numbers continue to increase. He mentioned Gorey Garda station. I recently had the opportunity to visit it and acknowledged the ongoing very positive and constructive work in which gardaí in the Gorey...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge Deputy Lahart's interest in this issue and, indeed, his expertise as a Dublin Deputy working in the community. In response to his question about community policing, it plays a significant part in tackling anti-social behaviour. It plays a vital role in deterring all forms of crime. The unprecedented level of resources that this Government has made available to An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the specific example that the Deputy gave with reference to recent unacceptable behaviour in Clongriffin. That type of activity has no place in a modern civilised society. However, I do not agree with the Deputy if he is asserting that the anti-social behaviour legislation has been a failure.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would point out that in addition to anti-social behaviour orders, we have strong provisions enacted in legislation. There is the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which was amended in 2003, and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts, to name but a few. All these legislative provisions are constantly under review. I assure the Deputy that An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Clare Daly will be aware from previous questions on this issue that the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 was enacted to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords important protections to persons making protected disclosures and specifically included the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, as a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to acknowledge the ongoing and evolving situation regarding technological advances. I am keen to ensure, as is the Garda Síochána, that Garda equipment and investigative capacity is in a position to keep abreast of these changes. I acknowledge the reforming nature of our legislation and in particular the recently enacted Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. The Act...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the manner in which the Garda Síochána is adapting to deal with emerging issues. I understand the matter was adverted to at the committee. The Deputy should note the significant reform programme. It is well under way in line with the Government five-year reform programme. The key driver of the reform is the Commissioner's five-year renewal programme from 2016-21....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have circulated a reply to the Deputy with figures in tabular form. I hope he has a copy of it. They are the most readily available figures from An Garda Síochána on anti-social behaviour warnings. The figures are broken down by Garda region. I hope the Deputy finds the information useful. I can assure Deputy Lahart that An Garda Síochána remains committed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Training (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I share the view expressed by the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and take seriously the comments he made concerning the commencement of business. As Deputy O'Callaghan will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner has statutory responsibility for carrying on, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including training. As Minister, I do not have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Training (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by Garda management that a review is under way to identify how the delivery of the current driver training system can be improved. I understand consultations have taken place with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other police services to identify international best practice with regard to models of training. Pending the outcome of the review, I am advised that places...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Training (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I provided figures and I will repeat that the number of gardaí who have been trained to CBD level 2 currently stands at 2,700. This figure does not include gardaí who were trained to an equivalent level prior to the introduction of the competency based framework. I take issue with the attempt to draw a distinction between gardaí on the front line and other gardaí. It...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be aware, decisions regarding the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including updating of information and communications technology, ICT, systems are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I do not have a direct role in the matter. However, the unprecedented investment which is being made by the Government in Garda ICT...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. In 2012, the construction or extension/refurbishment of seven courthouses under the Courts Public Private Partnership...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The tragic incident concerned took place on 1 July, 2012 and I want to express my sympathies to the family of the deceased person. I understand that the then coroner for Kerry South and East opened an inquest on 24 September 2012, and adjourned it, as he was obliged to do, on foot of a request from An Garda Síochána under Section 25 of the Coroners Act, 1962. I am informed,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Rights (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The Government responded to the Supreme Court judgment by deciding to opt in to the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive which will result in a wide range of reforms in the protection system. This opt-in will allow for an effective labour market access for protection applicants who have not received a first instance decision over a designated period of time. I am confident that this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (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 I am informed by the Commissioner that in order to deliver an effective policing service, it is essential that Garda management have the flexibility to deploy Garda resources to meet operational policing needs and address critical issues as they arise. For...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reports (23 May 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the recent publication of the independent organisational culture audit commissioned by An Garda Síochána and conducted by PwC. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the conduct of such an audit, the first of its kind undertaken by An Garda Síochána, is of major significance in the context of the reform programme underway. Reform of culture is generally...