Results 12,701-12,720 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. The Commissioner has provided the information in the following tables which provide details of Garda vehicles...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that a report compiled by them identified 12 criminal gangs within the prison population. This does not include subversive groupings in Portlaoise. Membership or allegiance of these criminal gangs fluctuates on a continuous basis with some persons breaking links and others becoming affiliated on a daily basis. As such it is not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána including responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter. Indeed, this was the basis on which the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda National Immigration Bureau (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The development phase of this project, which is under the responsibility of An Garda Síochána and delivered in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, is due to commence at Dublin Airport during Q4, 2017. The project will involve the refurbishment and fit-out of an existing facility to provide a Garda Station, office accommodation and detention facilities. I am informed that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources in the State and I, as Minister, have no role in relation to the matter. I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that this is a time of unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I mentioned earlier the overall plan on the part of the Government to increase the garda workforce to 21,000. This is complemented by a significant investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. I have secured a total budget of €1.65 billion for An Garda Síochána for next year. It should be...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Resources (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In response to the latter point I would be very happy to speak to my Government colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran, on that issue. I will revert to the Deputy in early course. I mentioned earlier the Government's plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 by 2021. That is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Deployment (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Corcoran Kennedy for raising this important matter. I assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the impact of crime on rural communities, including the serious damage done by organised criminal gangs who target rural areas to engage in burglary and other forms of property crime. As the Deputy is aware, Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Resources (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, comprising 15,000...

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: On the matter of money laundering, I expect the legislation will be submitted to Government for approval in the next couple of weeks, after which it will be published at the earliest opportunity. We will seek full co-operation from Deputy Martin Kenny and his party on all aspects of terrorist financing and money laundering.

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy's question on the matter of promised legislation relates to a Bill to merge a number of agencies currently under my Department, one of which is the Valuation Office. I would expect that the drafting is at an advanced stage and hope to be in a position to have publication, having been approved by Government, by the end of the year. I would be happy to keep the Deputy informed.

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I might be of help to the Deputy in this case. I acknowledge receipt of his correspondence which will be replied to at the earliest opportunity. He is aware that two independent investigations are under way, one in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I assure him there will be no delay in having the investigations completed. I expect to receive an early report on completion...

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Gerry Adams that the subject matter of his correspondence is being fully addressed.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Mac Lochlainn and other Seanadóirí for initiating this important debate in the Seanad. I too welcome Stephanie McGill Lynch and John Lynch and other members of Jake's family to our Visitors Gallery and our debate. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I offer my sincere condolences and sympathy to the family on the tragic loss of Jake. They are very...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Any use of this new verdict contemplated in the Bill would be capable of ascribing criminal liability to a person or persons who would be readily identifiable. While suicide is not a crime, as the Seanadóirí will know, assisted suicide continues to be a crime. Assisted suicide could well include iatrogenic suicide, as defined in the Bill.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: That would be open to interpretation and I am not saying the Senator's interpretation would hold in the manner in which he might intend.

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has received the advice of the Office of the Attorney General on the Bill and reference to the Attorney General has been well made by my colleague, Senator Mulherin. It is the firm view that to introduce a verdict of iatrogenic suicide at inquest would be legally unsound. The Coroners Society of Ireland is a body that has not been mentioned during the course of this debate....

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of this debate. I join the Cathaoirleach in extending our welcome to the former Minister of State, John Moloney, and his guests. I apologise for the disappointment they must feel when they see me on my feet in the Seanad when they can hear me in Mountmellick any day of the week. I acknowledge his contribution both as Minister of State in the Department of...

Seanad: Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Might I respond briefly? This is an unusual debate in so far as-----