Results 12,621-12,640 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I understand the Deputy spoke in good faith, however cumbersome the message was conveyed. I acknowledge the work of the agencies involved. I also acknowledge the work of voluntary bodies throughout the country and the work of the Red Cross. There are pledges from around the country. There are many towns which are offering refugees not only shelter but also a new and positive way of life....

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Establishment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority is an independent statutory body and that I, as Minister, do not have a role in its day to day operations. That independence has been purposefully conferred on the authority by the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. I will seek to respect the independence of the body in the reply to the matter raised by the Deputy. The...

Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are no parallels between the issue of the reopening of the Garda station in south County Dublin which is the subject of the question-----

Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: -----and the provision of the proposed new Garda station in Sligo, in which I know that the Deputy has expressed an interest for some time. The Garda station building and refurbishment programme 2016 to 2021, an ambitious five-year programme that will benefit over 30 locations throughout the country, includes an investment of over €60 million of Exchequer funding as part of the...

Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There is work to be done locally and I trust that the Deputy will assist. From a national perspective, I will work closely with the appropriate agencies to ensure the matter will be advanced, having regard to the urgency of the issue which has been ongoing for many years. Advancing it is overdue and I want to see it happen by working both locally and nationally. This is a project in Sligo...

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is referring to Ireland's stated commitments on relocation under the resettlement programme. To date, 1,406 persons have arrived in Ireland under the relocation and resettlement strands of the EU relocation programme. I expect a further 738 to have arrived in Ireland under both programmes by early 2018. Under the relocation programme, Ireland has pledged to accept 1,089 asylum...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have made the figures available to the Deputy. They include areas of importance to the Deputy, including Balbriggan, Lusk, Skerries, Ballymun, Dublin Airport, Santry, Coolock, Malahide, Swords, Raheny, Clontarf and Howth. I am happy to be able to make the information available immediately. It is important in the context of policing for reference to be made at all times to the importance...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have been informed by the acting Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have been attested as members of An Garda Síochána and assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 631 of whom have been assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region. I have given the Deputy the tables. In addition, a further 200 trainee gardaí...

Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. As the Deputy will be aware, A Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a pilot...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that there is a range of robust legislative provisions in place for dealing with criminal assaults generally. The law in relation to assault is not defined by age. The general law relating to assault is contained in the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 which deals comprehensively with a wide range of assault provisions, the more serious of which carry...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I convey my sympathy to the victim of the assault and his parents, which was brought to the attention of the House by the Deputy. I agree with what he said. It is essential that we continue to do everything in our power to protect the most vulnerable in society. It seems that the case which has generated the question in the House does involve a vulnerable person, namely a young defenceless...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is referring to criminal assaults being perpetrated by young people on other young people. I agree that it is an issue that requires attention. Of course, there are difficulties experienced by communities and individuals due to the anti-social behaviour of some youths. One of the ways in which An Garda Síochána tackles these issues is through behaviour warnings and...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 14 and 21 together. I welcome Deputy Darragh O'Brien to Question Time in the justice area. I am more accustomed to engagement with him in the foreign affairs arena. I also welcome his question. I should say the distribution of gardaí is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. I can say, however, that the Government...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System Offences (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that the Garda has put in place processes to deal with the approximately 14,700 cases where people were convicted in circumstances where they should have been initially offered an opportunity to pay a fixed charge before being summoned to court. A courts process is under way to ensure wrongful convictions are set aside, with the first tranche of such cases resulting in the appeals...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System Offences (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what the Deputy said. If he has any information that might be helpful, he should remain in contact the appropriate authorities. I am not aware of any instances of imprisonment solely as a result of being a conviction following the issuing of a summons where a fixed-charge notice should have been issued instead. In 96% of the 14,700 cases identified, the persons concerned had...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Penalty Points System Offences (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of reports in the media of such proceedings having been issued but no specific instance has been brought to my attention. Even if it were, I would be most reluctant to comment on it, particularly if it were before the courts. What I can say is that, in the meantime, while all these appeals are being dealt with, every effort is being made by An Garda to ensure each case is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy is aware, the Policing Authority, under section 9 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the post of Garda Commissioner. This will be the first time that the new legislative process will be utilised and I have consulted the chair of the authority about a process to identify and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I expect it will take place in the coming weeks. In that regard, let me assure the Deputy the selection of a new Garda Commissioner is a priority for me, as Minister for Justice and Equality, but also for all of my Government colleagues. It is, however, vital, and I invite the Deputy to agree with me, that we ensure the selection process put in place is one that will be capable of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Commissioner Appointment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have made it clear as regards the process that I would like it to be broadly based. I also made it clear that as far as the Government is concerned we are not ruling in or not ruling out anybody in the course of the selection process for the next Garda Commissioner. The selection of the next Commissioner is a job for the Policing Authority. I am sure the Deputy will agree that what is...

Questions on Promised Legislation (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This is under active consideration on the part of Government. It is one of my priorities and I expect to be in a position to publish legislation before the end of the year. I assure the Deputy that appropriate funding has been, and will be, made available to the office as mentioned.