Tag Archives: Charlie Flanagan

  THE plight of asylum seekers living in the dilapidated Direct Provision centre in Miltown Malbay has been brought the attention of the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan. Rodents, leaking bathrooms and substandard food, are among serious problems that have been identified at the Central Hostel on the Main Street, resulting in a call for its closure. However, on Wednesday of this week (June 3), Mr Pat Kelly, owner of the Central Hostel, said he didn’t wish to make any comment on the issues raised on behalf of the asylum seekers other than to say “these are all false allegations”. A letter has been sent on behalf of the 12 men to the minister by the Miltown Malbay Welcome Group, outlining health and safety issues at the hostel where the asylum seekers are being housed. The letter has been copied to Clare TD Cathal Crowe, who is calling on the minister to deal with the issues as a matter of …

THE government has announced their decision to “defer” an event on January 17 to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP). The decision follows widespread criticism of the proposed commemoration, including from Mayor of Clare, Cathal Crowe, who had said he was going to boycott the event. “As a Government, we have at all times sought to have a national programme of commemorations that is authentic, sensitive and inclusive. However, given the disappointing response of some to the planned event on January 17, I do not believe that the event, as planned, can now take place in an atmosphere that meets the goals and guiding principles of the overall commemorative programme.  Therefore, I am announcing its deferral,” Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, said in a statement on Tuesday evening. “I know that, regrettably, this decision will be a cause of hurt and upset to many people. I commit to proceeding with an alternative commemoration in …

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan has today (Wednesday) announced that his department will be providing additional financial support to Community Text Alert Groups in 2017. The Rebate Scheme, which also ran in 2016, will allow Text Alert Groups registered with An Garda Síochána to apply for funding to contribute towards their yearly running costs. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships,Minister Flanagan said, “The Text Alert Rebate Scheme which will be available to almost 1,000 local groups registered under the Garda Text Alert Scheme. My Department will be making in the region of €100,000 available to local communities who wish to apply for a rebate towards the costs associated with running their local scheme. We are also assisting in the prevention and detection oflocal crime through the recently announced grant-aid scheme to assist the establishment of community-based CCTV systems. This scheme will run for three years, with up to €1million being made available for each year of the …

THE new online passport service launched this week should help in further reducing turn-around times and potential delays, according to Minister of State Sean Canney. Irish Citizens who are over 18, and have held an Irish passport can now apply for their passport book and/or passportcard online through https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline/, the Gaway TD expained. “Renewing your Irish passport will now become a lot easier,” said Minister Canney. “Demand for Irish passports is increasing all the time and last year, some 733,000 passports were issued with a further 7% increase expected in 2017.” “A growing population and increased travelling by Irish citizens means that demand remains high. Additional staff have been recruited to deal with the increased demand, with the Passport Office employing over 230 temporary clerical offices during peak season,” said Minister Canney. Minister Canney has also contacted Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan in relation to the location of a dedicated passport office in Tuam to serve the Western region. He …