Results 6,021-6,040 of 9,329 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Other Questions: EU Battle Groups (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The question is self-explanatory. I am seeking an update on any plan the Minister has for the Defence Forces to participate in further EU battle groups.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The committee has had the opportunity to deliberate on the petitions before us today and I will read our decisions. The first petition for consideration was P00010/13, from Mr. Patrick Smyth, calling for the introduction of legislation to allow for the creation of an offence of reckless lending. The petitioner is of the view that the banks should be held somewhat responsible for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Minister cannot resist the opportunity to pass the buck. His stewardship over two Departments is an absolute bloody disaster. PDFORRA, which represents the vast majority of men and women serving in our Defence Forces, has expressed grave concerns about the decision he made in this matter. No aspersion is being cast on retired Colonel Anthony McCourt, but PDFORRA is making the obvious...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 2. To ask the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to ensure the safety and protection of whistleblowers within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20331/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As the Minister knows, the position of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established after the then captain Tom Clonan blew the whistle on serious matters. This led to the formation of the office. Recently there has been some controversy because the Minister has made the position a part-time one and appointed to it a person who served in the Defence Forces rather than an outsider. Will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Minister will be aware of the serious concerns of PDFORRA about the decision he made to make the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces a part-time one and to appoint a retired colonel, Liam McCourt, to the position. To be clear, I do not question the character or sterling record of Mr. McCourt. The issue for PDFORRA, however, is that there was a full-time independent person in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 14. To ask the Minister for Defence the value of weaponry and equipment for military purpose purchased from Israel or Israeli companies or planned to be purchased from Israel or Israeli companies since March 2011. [20052/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Council Meetings (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 18. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the last meeting of the EU Foreign and Defence Ministers which took place in Luxembourg on 15 April 2014. [20049/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Ombudsman (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 25. To ask the Minister for Defence if he met with the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces this month as planned; and if he will provide an update on the meeting. [20050/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 22. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to bring in changes to the system whereby personnel recruited after 1994 are disadvantaged compared to pre-1994 recruits in terms of the gratuity payment, pension arrangements and opportunities for promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20051/14]

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As there are concerns that the standards of tolerance and acceptance are too low in respect of what is defined in the section, I reserve the right to come back on Report Stage with some amendments.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: To save time, I have already indicated in respect of a range of sections that I want it noted, as submitted, that we are opposed to them but that I am not going to call for a vote on every section. This will allow for the efficiency of the meeting.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will indicate in respect of some of the sections but not on all of them.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I wish to indicate that I reserve the right to make amendments to this section. A suggestion is coming from some human rights NGOs that the word "indictable" be included in terms of the offences listed on page 15 of the Bill.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Again, I indicate that I reserve the right to table an amendment on Report Stage. I wish to highlight a concern for the Minister's attention. A number of NGOs are concerned that the number of staff seconded from the Department of Justice and Equality would not exceed 25%. As there are issues around staffing to ensure the independence of the new body, I will table amendments on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I indicate that I reserve the right to table amendments on Report Stage. Concerns have been expressed by the human rights sector on the need to strengthen the independence of the new amalgamated body which will be accountable not to the Minister but to the Oireachtas.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: My apologies, I wish to indicate that I reserve the right to make amendments to section 29 at a later stage.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am sorry.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I indicate that I reserve the right to table amendments on Report Stage. There is significant public concern that the scope of the commission to conduct inquiries should be extended in line with the Commission of Investigations Act. I will revisit the issue on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage (6 May 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I wish to press my amendment.