Results 7,101-7,120 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I myself am absolutely clear about that. That is why I put forward the amendment. In accepting that situation, can the Minister clarify whether she is accepting the amendment?

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is not clear. When one looks at the definitions in the opening pages of the Bill, the first interpretation is "Agency", and it states, "means the Child and Family Agency established under section 7;". Referencing to agency, in this particular instance in terms of new directions in writing, does not specify that it is the board of the agency. It is, arguably, a small matter, but surely...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Of course, it is. Why do we not just say it?

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Yes. I cannot understand or accept this absolute refusal to amend for clarification purposes.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 17:In page 35, line 9, after "functions" to insert "and must be in accordance with section 8 and section 9".Section 47(5) states, "A direction given by the Minister under subsection (1) shall not interfere with the exercise of professional judgment in a particular case in the performance by the Agency of its functions.", and I seek to add, "and must be in accordance with...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 14:In page 18, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following:"(5) The Board shall always include three individuals with experience or knowledge of the legal environment as it pertains to children and families; the disciplines of child protection, psychology, family support and therapeutic services.".I am particularly anxious, as I have been throughout our consideration...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: When the Minister and I met recently to discuss Report Stage, I requested, among other things, biographies of those who had been appointed to the board. As I have not yet received that information, I am not privy to all of the qualifications, experience and backgrounds of those the Minister has appointed. I am only aware of some of those whose names are already familiar to me and with whom...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I have no further points to make.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 13:In page 15, line 34, to delete “the Minister for Education and Skills” and substitute “any Minister”.This amendment relates to section 13(2)(f) which reads: "other particulars that the Agency considers appropriate or as the Minister after consulting the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education and Skills may require, and". Again,...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: That is not what I was proposing. I am certainly not trying to straitjacket people into doing other than what they need to do. The annual report is meant to reflect on the work done in the preceding year. I anticipate that, in the course of any year, the agency will find itself engaging with a number of ministries, including the Departments of Social Protection, Justice and Equality and...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I acknowledge that the Bill contains huge steps forward in terms of the best interests and views of the child. My efforts to improve the Bill, as I see it, do not take away from that fact. Indeed, I have already indicated my intention to support the final passage of the Bill. That remains my position. My objective is to arrive at the best possible legislation to cater for the needs of...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 11:In page 13, line 33, after “2010,” to insert “whether in proceedings before a court or otherwise”.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 12:In page 13, to delete lines 35 to 40, and in page 14, to delete lines 1 and 2 and substitute the following:“(3) The Agency shall consult when planning and reviewing the provision of services in connection with the performance of functions under section 8(1)(a), (b) or (c) where relevant, and ensure that due consideration is given to the views of children as part...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: With regard to the Minister's response on amendment No. 9, let us be very clear about what the Bill states: "having regard to the best interests of the child in all matters". It makes no real statement on how the child's interests are to be regarded. It does not make this clear. That is why I believe the introduction of the words "primary consideration" is necessary to give absolute...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: This is in reference to the functions in section 8(1)(a), (b) and (c). Section 8(1)(a) concerns the performance of the functions, powers and responsibilities transferred to the new agency under section 72 from the National Educational Welfare Board which are relevant to children and section 82 which deals with the HSE. Again, the focus is on children in the main. Section 8(1)(b) concerns...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 8: In page 13, line 15, after “inter-agency” to insert “and intra-agency”.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 9: In page 13, to delete lines 28 to 30 and substitute the following:“9. (1) The Agency shall, in performing its functions under section 8(1)(a), (b) or (c) in respect of an individual child or family, regard the best interests of the child as a primary consideration.”.This amendment seeks to delete lines 28 to 30 and to substitute them with a new section...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the breathing time to allow me to return with my files. I am attending Committee Stage of another piece of legislation at the same time, although I have to be here for Report Stage of this very important legislation. The scheduling of the Joint Committee on Health and Children is most inconsiderate of Members who are trying to cover both. I support the...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: To incorporate a reference to "intra-agency" is not repetition. The Minister refers to its being implied elsewhere. To put it into words is not to repeat it; far from it. I disagree with the Minister's view that the amendment I pressed earlier this morning would in any way have had a negative impact on the Bill and the agency's remit. Far from it. One could look at any of the agency's...

Committee on Health and Children: Select Sub-Committee on Health: Health (Alteration of Eligibility Criteria) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Not everyone over 70 years is retired. There are those over 70 in paid employment who are taxpayers. They may not comprise a large number, yet the position on their medical card entitlement under the terms of this and previous legislation is such that they are being evaluated on the basis of their gross pay, not their net pay. I use the term "pay" certainly-----