Results 13,701-13,720 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: No, I said that during my time in government there was one such decision made by Government.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I think the record will show that there were a number of expressions of interest. I am not in a position to go into any further detail on the identity, names or numbers of those involved for reasons that have already been stated on the record of the House and from which I have no wish to depart. What I can say is that any nominations were given due and appropriate consideration in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Whether existing judges of the High Court or any other court put forward expressions of interest to the Attorney General in regard to the matter of a vacancy in the Court of Appeal is confidential, which is important for reasons that would be well known to the Deputy, having regard to his practice at the Bar.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can say that any issues that were before the Government in the matter of this appointment were given appropriate consideration in accordance with the law and practice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My understanding is that on 12 April the then Minister for Justice and Equality wrote to the appointments board seeking a recommendation to fill current and pending vacancies in the Court of Appeal and other courts.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not in a position to give an explanation that would warrant my intervening on the matter of Cabinet confidentiality and the decision-making process. For the benefit of the Deputy, I add that I was appointed Minister for Justice and Equality on 14 June. That is not an issue I can address.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: No, I would not say it was at all unusual. I will repeat what was stated by the Taoiseach last week in the House and lest there be any doubt, I reaffirm once again that the correct and proper procedures were followed in nominating a judge to fill the vacancy, as was the case on the date to which the Deputy refers in respect of other courts and vacancies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Is that with regard to the judicial appointments board?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not in a position to disclose any application that came before the Government. I made that clear earlier with respect to expressions of interest for and on behalf of any member of any court. I am not at liberty to go into any detail on the matter of any applicant other than to say that all and any applicants that were to be considered were dealt with in accordance with the law.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can say that the correct and proper procedures were fully adhered to and followed at all times.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am not going into any detail on numbers and the nature of applications or from whom the applications were tendered. The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully entitled to nominate a person of the Government's choosing, strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Constitution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As I stated, this is provided that any applicant or interested party is eligible and expertly qualified.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy may ask the same question in a number of ways or on a number of occasions but I am not in a position to depart from the current strictures in respect of Cabinet confidentiality that will not allow me deal in any detailed way, or to the Deputy's satisfaction, with issues about which he is asking. I can point out the provisions of the 1995 Act, with particular reference to the role...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The judicial appointments board met in response to the invitation of the then Minister for Justice and Equality, who wrote to it on 12 April. The board met within four weeks, on 10 May, to consider applications for nomination as a judge in the various courts, including the Court of Appeal. On 16 May, the board responded in writing to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will make two points in response. I reiterate that I was appointed Minister for Justice and Equality on 14 June and I did not have any knowledge of that. Even if I did, I refer the Deputy to section 20 of the 1995 Act, which states quite clearly that all proceedings of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and all communications are deemed confidential.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As an experienced politician, I am quite satisfied all proper procedures were followed fully in accordance with the law.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I point the Deputy to the Constitution and the powers of Government to appoint judges. The Deputy will be aware of the provisions of the Act in so far as nominations for judicial office may be considered. I look forward to the co-operation of this committee and Members of the House in enacting the legislation. I remind Deputies of Article 39 of Bunreacht na hÉireann in respect of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The time-honoured practice for persons holding the office of Attorney General goes back to 1953 and the appointment to the Supreme Court of the late Cearbhal Ó Dálaigh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The time-honoured practice was not departed from.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Court of Appeal Appointment: Discussion (28 Jun 2017)

Charles Flanagan: It concerns the Constitution. The practice goes back several decades.