Results 12,861-12,880 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My understanding is that consideration is being given. I do not have any evidence to suggest that the UK is not engaging in such arrangements. However, like ourselves, it will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, observations and, ultimately, approval.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the members' observations and apparent support, notwithstanding some concerns they raised. The concern that has most exercised members of the committee appears to be the implications or otherwise of the withdrawal of our nearest neighbour, the UK, from the EU. It has always been the case that Ireland and the UK co-operate closely on immigration matters, particularly those relating...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: European Travel Information and Authorisation System: Motions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We will continue to play our part in Europol irrespective of the position of our neighbours in the United Kingdom. I do not wish to pre-empt what the sovereign Government of the UK will do, but it is likely it will make a decision on this shortly. Regardless, I believe it is important we exercise our own sovereign decision on this issue, which is why I seek approval of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned submitted an application on 28 September 2015 under the Free Movement of Persons Regulations 2015 to be treated as a Permitted Family Member of an EU Citizen.  The application was refused on 17 December 2016 as the person failed to meet the criteria. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Prosecutions (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The role of the Office of the State Pathologist is to provide independent expert advice on matters relating to forensic pathology, which may be used in the prosecution of offences such as homicides. The Office is independent in the operation of its functions, which is entirely right and proper in light of the very important role it plays in the investigation and prosecution of serious...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority is an independent statutory body and that I do not, as Minister, have a role in relation to its day to day operations. That independence has been purposefully conferred on the Authority by the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. This includes in the nomination of the Authority’s membership by prescribed bodies, in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Subsidiary Protection Applications Data (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016 (commencement date). The 2015 Act introduced a single procedure which enables all grounds for seeking international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) or permission to remain in the State for other reasons to be examined and determined in one process. At the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Poor Box (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The court poor box is a non-statutory system used by the District Courts to impose a financial charge on a defendant to be used for a charitable purpose, usually instead of imposing a criminal conviction. Payments made to the court poor box are accounted for by the court office concerned and the accounting procedures are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Generally,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Referendum Data (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: On 26 September, the Government agreed an indicative timetable for a number of referendums on constitutional amendments, mainly arising from the work of the Citizens’ Assembly, the Convention on the Constitution, and the Programme for a Partnership Government.  Under this timetable and subject to passage of Bills by the Houses of the Oireachtas and formal confirmation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (4 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.

Order of Business (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have not had an opportunity to meet the organisation mentioned by the Deputy, but I will be happy to give the matter consideration. I will undertake to communicate with the Deputy on any issue that is seen as relevant to the Department of Justice and Equality.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Staff (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Staff in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) in my Department are deployed across a wide range of activities including the broad areas of international protection and immigration processing, visa processing, citizenship, border management and policy areas of the organisation. In that context, the management of resources is kept under constant review having regard to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Valuation Office (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in carrying out his functions under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 and my Department has no role in this regard. As the Deputy has referred to rates, it is important to state that the position regarding the payment of rates is that, under Irish law, there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. Furthermore, the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter the Presidents of the Circuit and District Courts and the presiding judge who are, under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Eligibility (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The acquisition of Irish citizenship on marriage (post nuptial citizenship) was provided for under Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956. This provision was however repealed under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2001 with effect from 30 November 2002, but with the saver that the provision would continue to apply to a person being a non-national who, before 30...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Divisional Headquarters (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I am, however, advised by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Data (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a Stamp 4 signifies that the bearer has a particular immigration permission, which allows them to live and work in the State without the need for a work permit. I am further informed that, because cases which may lead to a Stamp 4 permission being granted will have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has no application pending for asylum. The person concerned has had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a further one-year period to 16 December 2017. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by registered post dated 14...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (3 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the applications for a certificate of naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy are being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence.  As the...