Results 6,941-6,960 of 9,329 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The assisted decision-making (capacity) Bill has been dragging on for quite some time. I read some text from the Courts Service and saw the word "lunatics" is still in legal parlance in 2013. When will the Bill go ahead? The whole disability community is waiting on it.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Resolution Processes (3 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 34. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will make it clear to the Central Bank of Ireland that letters threatening repossession do not constitute sustainable offers of sustainable conclusions under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets. [41505/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Revised Eligibility Criteria for State Pension (Contributory): Discussion with Minister for Social Protection (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Are members happy with the way the meeting has proceeded? I thank the Minister and her team - Ms Murphy and Ms McGrath. We are very grateful to them for taking the time to meet us today and for their co-operation in dealing with members' questions. I also ask that the two petitioners be sent a transcript of the meeting so they are aware that their concerns have been raised. I thank the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Revised Eligibility Criteria for State Pension (Contributory): Discussion with Minister for Social Protection (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Does Senator O'Keeffe wish to add anything?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Revised Eligibility Criteria for State Pension (Contributory): Discussion with Minister for Social Protection (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The three speakers next in line are not present, I call Senator Ó Clochartaigh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Revised Eligibility Criteria for State Pension (Contributory): Discussion with Minister for Social Protection (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I must interrupt the Minister as a vote has been called in the Dáil.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Revised Eligibility Criteria for State Pension (Contributory): Discussion with Minister for Social Protection (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will open the discussion for questions. Senator O'Keeffe is indicating.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Revised Eligibility Criteria for State Pension (Contributory): Discussion with Minister for Social Protection (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I remind all of those present - including members, the media and those in the public Gallery - that mobile phones and BlackBerrys must be switched off completely because, even in silent mode, they interfere with the sound recording system. I am pleased to welcome the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, and her officials, Ms Patricia Murphy, principal officer, and Ms Vera McGrath,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Gambling Control Bill: Discussion (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Mr. Hickson raised the issue of the regulator being independent from the Minister and said that is an important matter. I do not have any objection to that but will he elaborate on why that is so important?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Gambling Control Bill: Discussion (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is the key. Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Gambling Control Bill: Discussion (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We were trying to keep them out of our backyard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Gambling Control Bill: Discussion (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I want to tease out the issue of profitability, as there was a 2.5% figure mentioned. Is there not a mathematical equation surrounding this? The witnesses are definite that from every €100 spent in the facility, €88 is given out, but that does not seem to add up. Is there a projection of the profit to be made with bookmakers and casinos? The perception with the public is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Gambling Control Bill: Discussion (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is fair enough and the answers are good. The public would be shocked but there we go.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Achievements of Irish Presidency and EU Justice and Home Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Justice and Equality (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Last week, Dr. Gavin Barrett came before the committee to advise us on the opt-out by Britain from a range of justice measures. Will the Minister outline the perspective of the Government on this matter? Does it harbour any concerns about the knock-on effects of what is proposed? Is it engaging with the British authorities on the matter? Dr. Barrett provided a comprehensive overview. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 54. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that, considering Ireland’s aid promise is made as a percentage of our national income, when the Government speaks of consolidating the overseas aid budget, he is referring to consolidating not the euro amount, but the ODA/GNI percentage. [41150/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (2 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 72. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has read the recently published Red C Poll, commissioned by PANA, which details Irish persons attitudes to neutrality and the war in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41151/13]

Topical Issue Debate: Penalty Points System (1 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The 71% of citizens who paid their fine and took their penalty points on the chin must be appalled to discover that up to one in five of those facing the same sanction managed to get away with it. It is clear, given the massive scale of such practices, that they arose largely due to maladministration. However, there are cases which give cause for serious concern. We have had allegations,...

Topical Issue Debate: Penalty Points System (1 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As the Minister knows, the Comptroller and Auditor General reported on his findings in regard to the fixed charge notice system. The outcome is absolutely shocking. What he has revealed is that because of clearly widespread maladministration and very poor procedures, one in five motorists facing fixed charge notices are getting off. We are talking about 42,000 cases a year, and half of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to increase access for tourists to sites of interest particularly in urban centres and to improve access to Dublin Airport. [40907/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sporting Events (1 Oct 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to Ireland hosting the Homeless Football World Cup; the supports that are currently being given to the Irish Homeless World Cup team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40901/13]