Results 11,941-11,960 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As at 31 October 2017, the total number of gardaí stationed in County Meath was 304, of whom seven are community gardaí. There are also 16 members of the Garda Reserve operating in the county, as well as 30 Garda civilian staff attached to the division. Where appropriate, the work of local gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy said, we have discussed this issue on several occasions and I am aware of his concern regarding the manner in which decisions are made as to the distribution of Garda personnel around County Meath. There are currently 304 members of An Garda Síochána in the county, following on from an increase in the complement each year since 2014. In fact, the number is the...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the strong and positive commitment of An Garda Síochána to combatting crime, with particular reference to the type of gangland crime mentioned by Deputy Cassells. There have been significant arrests and successes in recent times, which show that our appreciation of the dedicated work of the force is well warranted. Using ratios such as the number of gardaí per...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I support it, but I am not in a position to put a clearly defined timeframe on it. The Deputy is aware, perhaps more than most, given his experience as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and specifically of the reform remit, that of all Departments, the Department of Justice and Equality deals with challenging matters to a degree and of size that may not be experienced by other...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Department deals with matters of crime, security, policing, public safety, human rights, the reform of the criminal and civil law, asylum and refugee law and practice, the support and promotion of inclusion and equality-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There is also the regulation of land. I am engaging at this level to ensure the recommendations contained in the Toland report on the splitting of sections of the Department can be dealt with in a way that will ensure we will not add to the difficulties. The challenge is to manage the strategic objectives in a way that will be as effective as possible as work is ongoing. I invite Deputies...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: These are more mundane matters. They are the bread and butter of the Department.

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of gardaí, I have provided a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy. The Garda strength of the Roscommon-Longford division on 31 October 2017 was 309, of which...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The number of gardaí in the Roscommon-Longford division, as of 31 October 2017, was 309. This time last year the figure was 301; in 2015 it was 292; in 2014 it was 285; in 2013 it was 285 and in 2012 it was 280. There are now more active Garda members in the Roscommon-Longford division than at any time since 2009. On the particular...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will be happy to provide that information for the Deputy. The figure of 309 includes the ten community gardaí who, of course, are fully fledged members of An Garda Síochána. To be added to this figure are the members of the Garda Reserve. The Deputy referred to Castlerea Garda station. As he is aware, the work of local gardaí is augmented by support from the national...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: A process is under way, to which the Taoiseach referred earlier. An investigation is about to commence, headed by an eminent senior counsel with experience, which will deal with the issues raised by the Deputy. Further to that, a report setting out progress on the implementation of the Toland report will be furnished to the Taoiseach and, I am sure, will be available to the House. I met...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As I said last week, I acknowledge criticisms of a specific nature which were the subject matter of controversy. I do not believe that should cast a shadow of a dark nature over the Department of Justice and Equality.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge that there are areas where progress has been limited. It is my job to ensure that these reforms are undertaken in a way which ensures the rate of change can be accelerated. While some aspects of the recommendations relating to the structure of the Department have been addressed, such as the establishment of a corporate secretariat office to support the management of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge that. It is quite clear, given the references in the Toland report to the culture of the Department, that it is a key area requiring change and reform. I am anxious to follow through and ensure that the process is completed in a way which meets the concerns of the Toland report. Following wide-ranging consultation with staff and external stakeholders a culture and values...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Training (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Yes. While I do not have a direct role in the provision of training, I am conscious of my role as Minister in exhorting and advising that the various training options are adequately resourced and duly taken up by gardaí. In this regard, all gardaí recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014 have undertaken a two-year training programme,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Training (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will say something about this from facts within my own knowledge. One of the earliest publications that I acquired in my District Court practice some years ago was an up-to-date copy of the Garda Síochána guide, which was specifically designed to assist gardaí in prosecutions. It was so good that it was also a vital publication for those engaging in defence matters, as I am...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Departmental Reform (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together. Following the Toland review in 2014, the Department of Justice and Equality began a process of consultation and engagement to develop a delivery plan to implement the recommendations. I am informed that approximately 80% of those have since been implemented. As the Taoiseach outlined to the House last week, a change implementation...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not sure I agree with the Deputy's contention. It is important to bring certainly to this issue at the earliest opportunity. I acknowledge that the commission is not due to complete its work until September, but I am sure the Deputy will agree that it would not be in the public interest, or in the interests of An Garda Síochána or its members, to allow uncertainty to surround...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (5 Dec 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I advise the Deputy, as I did in the context of my earlier reply, that the process has moved on somewhat. In recent days the Policing Authority submitted its assessment of the package that will be required to attract candidates of the desired calibre. It has engaged external expertise in that regard. It has also submitted its views on the pool of candidates available and whether...