Results 341-360 of 20,917 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I am not sure whether that is the case because my understanding is that this is a new amendment to which reference was not made on Committee Stage. This is why it has given rise to some concern, that these are new amendments being tabled by the Minister that did not appear to have been part of the discussion on Committee Stage. For that reason I wish to seek clarification from the Minister...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Charles Flanagan: We are on Report Stage and before the conclusion of business we will be on Final Stage. Will the Minister give an undertaking that the matter might be revisited in the Seanad in the event that the clarification proffered by the Minister is not sufficient to meet the representations made? I accept that there is no ulterior motive here.

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 Feb 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I regard that as sufficient and in the circumstances we will allow matters to proceed, unless Deputy O'Shea has another view.

Broadband Services: Motion (27 Feb 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I merely want to record the current chaotic state of broadband infrastructure in my constituency of Laois-Offaly. During the lifetime of the country and group broadband scheme, which the Government abolished in 2006, a substantial amount of money was given to various Internet providers to help them meet the costs of providing Internet access on broadband in the midlands. A broadband...

Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Charles Flanagan: For many weeks before the general election last year, the House debated the Criminal Justice Act 2007 in response to the then serious crime and violence situation, which has since escalated substantially. The Act was described by the Government, of which the Tánaiste was a member, as being the most draconian response to crime ever. Is the Tánaiste aware that fewer than half of the Act's...

Written Answers — Work Permits: Work Permits (28 Feb 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 25: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made in reducing the time to process employment permit applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8461/08]

Crime Levels. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 85: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he proposes to take to address the ever increasing use of offensive weapons by criminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9084/08]

Crime Levels. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: I join the Minister in his words of sympathy to the families of those brutally murdered in the most recent tragedy on our streets. I put it to him that killings and stabbings with offensive weapons of varying degrees, as well as gangland killings with firearms, are evidence that criminals have absolutely no difficulty in acquiring such weapons for the use of lethal force. Will he undertake...

Crime Levels. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The seriousness of this issue, involving the use on a daily basis of offensive and lethal weapons such as firearms, is not such that it can await further consultative reports and reviews. The issue is now so serious that immediate action is required. We hear on a regular basis that members of criminal gangs are in receipt of expert firearms training in Prague in the Czech Republic, where...

Drugs in Prisons. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 87: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes he proposes to make to policy and procedure in view of recent reports in respect of the widespread availability of illegal drugs in prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9085/08]

Drugs in Prisons. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the Minister's lengthy reply, I put it to him that this is one aspect of Government policy which has been a complete failure. Promise after promise by the Minister and his predecessor over the years that our prisons would be drug free ring hollow in the context of the recent figures. I put it to him also that security in our prisons in terms of access to them is in some way...

Drugs in Prisons. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Does the Minister accept that the screening arrangements relating to visits are insufficient to counter the passing of illegal substances — namely, drugs — between visitors and prisoners? Will he consider introducing, in respect of certain visits, physical screens between prisoners and visitors? Having regard to the seriousness of this problem, perhaps consideration could be given to...

Garda Operations. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Question 89: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that all appropriate measures are being taken to deal with widespread anti-social behaviour in communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/08]

Garda Operations. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The most urgent project for the Minister to consider is adequate policing in the area. The Minister is aware that the recent horrific murders in Drimnagh prompted the community to say that there was a perceived lack of community gardaí in the vicinity. Had they been in the area the type of problem that faced the people of Drimnagh may not have occurred. What is happening in regard to the...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: It seems from the Minister's successive replies on this issue that his concept of the community garda is somewhat less than international best practice would advise. In the circumstances there is no great change in what we are looking at, other than a label. To my mind, that is wholly insufficient to meet the needs of modern communities. The Minister adverted earlier to the fact that one...

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: ——commit to the House to take steps to restrict the number of outlets. In 2007, we saw 637 new off-licences.

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: The previous year there were 547 new off-licences. No wonder we have a problem in communities, and a situation whereby crime and drink are causing major concern.

Garda Deployment. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Is the Minister dampening expectations? That is not what he said at Christmas.

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: Some in Laois are waiting 18 months.

Order of Business. (4 Mar 2008)

Charles Flanagan: If I do not have an audience I cannot say anything.