Results 19,321-19,340 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The difficulty with that is that the list goes on and on. It is indicative of rushed legislation if, before we have agreed the Schedule, the Minister is already adding to it. I dare say that between now and the end of the debate there may be other items the Minister might be open to considering but I do not have any objection to the principle of listing the items in legislation.

Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: We are dealing here with important safeguards long since established on the provision of evidence when dealing with the proof of a criminal organisation but the Minister, by virtue of his amendment No. 2a, is going in the opposite direction to that I am proposing in amendment No. 3. I would be concerned about the absence of appropriate safeguards. I do not wish to impugn in any way the...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Question 363: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have voluntarily retired to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27706/09]

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (7 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Question 364: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide an update of the data requested in Parliamentary Question No. 568 of 24 March 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27707/09]

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: It was a desperate and cynical attempt to get votes which did not work.

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome what the Tánaiste said and would like her to recommend to the Chief Whip that sufficient time be given-----

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: In regard to points I made earlier this week, which I will repeat on the Order of Business, the Supreme Court will examine this legislation in detail at some future point - perhaps in the not too distant future - and a Supreme Court judge will seek to establish the intention of Deputies when passing the legislation. If they refer to the Official Report and see that amendments were not...

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: -----it will bring us all into disrepute

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I ask that the Ceann Comhairle at least listens to the point being made because-----

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: -----as Speaker of this assembly, he has standing.

Order of Business (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The Ceann Comhairle has standing.

Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: What does that mean?

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: That is fine.

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I accept that.

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister states one of the reasons for his limiting the right of appeal is that it is being used as a device to prolong the decision making process. The Minister's point of ensuring there is no subversion of justice would be catered for under section 12(g)(13), which allows for the remand of a person in custody. If there were difficulties with vexatious or unfounded appeals that are...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Perhaps the Minister might advise as to the burden of proof. In the original text there is a definite requirement that the person not be in the State. Certain levels of proof should be required. Here the belief of the garda that the person is not in the State is accepted as evidence of the person not being in the State. The Minister is reducing the burden considerably. For a garda to say...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: Which is it? "Is not in the State", or "might not be in the State"?

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I am inclined to agree with the principle of the amendment but perhaps most of what Deputy Ó Snodaigh has said will be covered by the annual review proposed by the Minister. This debate has certainly shown that the area is extremely complex, not only in terms of legislation passed by the House but in terms of the significant number of statutory instruments attaching to the various Bills as...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 9: In page 22, between lines 42 and 43, to insert the following: "3B.—The Minister shall conduct an annual review of the operation of this Act and lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the number and classes of certificates issued under this Act.". I will be brief as I do not wish to be repetitive. I note the content of amendment No. 10 in the Minister's...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (2 Jul 2009)

Charles Flanagan: I move amendment No. 11: In page 23, line 50, after "shooting" to insert the following: "save and except any firearm used for legitimate and controlled sporting purposes as may be specified in Regulations". Members will recall our debate on Committee Stage regarding the Minister's intention to ban handguns. Amendment No. 11 would preserve the ability to hold a handgun or other firearm used...