Results 11,501-11,520 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senators for their consideration. I want to point out that, as Senator Ruane has said, it is important that we have the opportunity of opting into the EU reception conditions directive, recast, because we need to bear in mind the key benefits it will bring to applicants and their families during their time in our protection process. Of course, we are using the opportunity...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: A statutory period of four months is needed to ensure that we are fully compliant with the opt-in process.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not think we could avoid them.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Senators that the interim process is temporary and short-term and that we remain committed to providing effective access to the labour market for applicants under the directive. The restrictive regime, as Senator Norris and others have called it, is a temporary measure.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is in line with the limited options available to us to provide access during the interim period. It is important that we all work together. Senators were critical of the Department of Justice and Equality. While the Department is very much involved in this process, there are other considerations as well. We must consider jobs, social protection, health rights, children's rights,...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: No. I assure Senators that the interdepartmental group, which involves nine Departments, is working to ensure that we will be in a position to opt in to what is a far more favourable regime, which will be acknowledged by stakeholders, applicants and Senators. We will not be in a position to do so-----

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----until June. I acknowledge the support of Senator Clifford-Lee and her party. In response to a question which she posed to me, the full accounts of the McMahon recommendations are published online. They set out actions taken. In excess of 95% of the recommendations have been wholly or partially implemented. Mr. Justice McMahon himself has called for the opt-in. He is in favour of...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----is not particularly accurate.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The important issue here is that we move forward towards the opt-in. The opt-in will provide benefits to applicants and their families which are not available to them at present. In response to Senator Norris's comments on an employment permit fee, it is my understanding that this is paid by the employers.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It will not be an issue. I acknowledge the contribution of Senator Ó Donnghaile. He referred to a letter he received from Doras Luimní. I would be grateful if he let me have a copy of the letter before we leave the House.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I would be very keen to have the issues raised therein replied to at the earliest opportunity. I do not have the letter. I note what the Senator says about the direct provision regime. I do not believe the direct provision regime is ideal, but I acknowledge that we are making improvements thereto along the lines recommended in the McMahon report. I visited some centres myself and would...

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: -----to run the centres.

Seanad: Reception Conditions Directive: Motion (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The effective right to work will result from the opt-in. I acknowledge what Senator Black has said in that regard. The opt-in process will guarantee that the new scheme will be required to be up and running within a period of four months. There was a common concern among Independent Senators that the short-term or transition measures, to which there has been so much reference in the course...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Despite the earlier wishes of the committee in terms of amendments, it is important that we accommodate the presidents of all the courts in the matter of the commission. It was felt that the most appropriate way of doing this was to establish certain committees. Notwithstanding the amendments to earlier sections, particularly section 9, it is fundamental that the offices of the presidents...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I do not want to delay the committee, but I acknowledge the importance of what has been said. Notwithstanding the manner in which divisions are taken, I also acknowledge the positive disposition of Deputies Mick Wallace and Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. I have listened to what Deputy Jim O'Callaghan stated. I ask that between now and Report Stage we engage with a view towards moving the type...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Amendment No. 26, which was moved by Deputies Wallace and Daly and debated by other Deputies, proposes to replace the Attorney General as a member of the commission with the Chief Commissioner of the IHREC. I cannot accept the amendment. One needs to acknowledge the importance of the role of the Attorney General and the manner in which that officer operates. One also needs to acknowledge...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I have a rather extensive speaking note on the other amendments to which reference has not been specifically made.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that I refer to them. Members might then respond, if the Chairman agrees it is appropriate to do so. The group includes a number of important amendments to which specific reference has not been made. The committee will be aware of the commitment in the programme for Government to replace the JAAB with the new commission, which would have an independent chairperson...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: No. Some of the comments I made in my recent submission are applicable to amendments in an earlier group to which we need to revert, that is, group 7.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 Jan 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, that means reverting to an earlier group.