Results 61-80 of 159 for speaker:Patricia Stephenson

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I do-----

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I do think that the CSDDD puts a ceiling on that. Sorry, we are running out of time. The term "plausible information" is a highly problematic legal concept that is not defined under EU law. That then puts the burden on NGOs and civil society stakeholders to identify those challenges within the supply chain, so "plausible information" is not really substantive enough.

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Going back to the earlier point, Mr. Forde said Ireland is in favour of an EU-wide civil liability regime.

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I feel that not having that EU-backed liability scheme, which the omnibus in its process removes, would actually lead to enforcement of fragmentation. That would be my perspective on it. I will not take up too much of the witnesses' time. I agree with a lot of people that we have not had a huge amount of time to scrutinise and discuss this. I am delighted to have been invited as a member...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Work of Dóchas: Discussion (17 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the witnesses for their introductory comments. Given that countries in the global south are pushing for this UN debt mechanism, what are the kinds of impacts that the witnesses foresee more broadly around multilateralism if that were not achieved in terms of the existing relationships we have on a global scale and how reliant we are on the multilateral system to be effective? Some...

Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Work of Dóchas: Discussion (17 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Will the representatives briefly discuss the issue of the importance of funding going into a country, but also the specific impact funding cuts are going to have on local organisations? Ms McKenna spoke about women's organisations. How will those cuts impact them and perhaps lead to their eventual disappearance or eradication? Deputy Brennan talked a little about funding going to NGOs as...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I support Senator O’Loughlin’s contribution on the condemnation of Hungary Pride. It would be fantastic to have a debate on this issue. I have already raised it at the Council of Europe and will continue to do so. It is a big issue. I ask for a discussion on further action that we can take regarding Gaza, and particularly what the Minister could do to work with member...

Seanad: Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I am down to share time. The others might turn up while I am speaking.

Seanad: Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024: Second Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Thank you. When the State brought forward a scheme that focused on managing legal liability rather than the human rights needs of survivors, we had limits, delays and exclusions. It forced survivors to prove themselves again, to plead and to be retraumatised. This Government has had multiple opportunities to do the right thing regarding survivors, and every time it seems to choose the...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I support Senator Flynn's Bill. I know she has been working on it for a long time. It is a really important issue that brings us in line with things like the Luxembourg guidelines. Obviously, words matter. The power of words in legislation reflects our society, which is why the change she is introducing is so important. It is long overdue. It confronts language that we have tolerated...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: This amendment inserts new section 33A to address a critical gap in offender monitoring. Without the provision, individuals currently subject to notification requirements under the Sex Offenders Act might challenge their obligations on technical grounds when terminology changes. This amendment ensures continuous monitoring of all registered offenders without interruption, maintaining public...

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I acknowledge the Minister of State's comment that there are legal drafting concerns rather than constitutional issues, which is welcome. I wish to reinforce the following: amendment No. 24 maintains exiting monitoring requirements under updated terminology. There is not an added cost in respect of enforcement agencies or the State. The amendment prevents offenders from seeking relief on...

Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (11 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the committee for inviting us here as members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, as there is great interest in this issue there. I will be quick and will not use up even two minutes. There are obviously deep contradictions between the CSDDD and the omnibus. It is concerning. Everything is theoretical because right now, we do not have the transposition of the CSDDD,...

Seanad: European Council Decision: Motion (10 Jun 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: This is the first time I have had a chance to have a discussion with the Minister of State in the Chamber. I welcome him to the House. We are being asked to consider whether to support the entrance of Ireland's negotiation to the Council decision on the readmission agreement with Kazakhstan. I recognise the important role readmission agreements play when it comes to the overall migration...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza: Statements (29 May 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I will share time with Senator Cosgrove. I thank the Minister of State for coming in. In his opening remarks, Senator Ahearn commented that he thinks the Opposition are just playing politics with this and that we do not really believe the Government has not done enough. I take great umbrage at that comment. As someone who grew up in post-conflict Belfast and who has worked for years in...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza: Statements (29 May 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I did not actually say that.

Seanad: Ireland's Economic Outlook: Statements (28 May 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the Minister for coming in. I apologise for missing his introduction. I know we are all trying to split ourselves in two at the moment. I will also miss his response as I am going to a committee but I will watch it back afterwards. I read the Minister's opening statement and as he said, along with most of the other Senators here, we are obviously facing unprecedented challenges...

Seanad: Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill 2025: Second Stage (28 May 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: I thank the Minister of State for coming in. The wind was slightly taken from my sails by the vote, so I hope I can find my place and what I was thinking about saying. I welcome Senator Noonan and the Green Party bringing forward this Bill. It existed in a previous iteration during the previous government, which is why it is particularly disappointing that the Government has tabled an...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Uisce Éireann: Future Work Programme (28 May 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: Some of my comments might be a bit repetitive as other colleagues have already made some of the points. I appreciate the scale of the work Uisce Éireann is undertaking and has been undertaking over the past decade. Water supply and wastewater treatment are issues that are quite big issues in the public psyche at the moment, largely because we are receiving a lot of information around...

Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery: Uisce Éireann: Future Work Programme (28 May 2025)

Patricia Stephenson: What implications does that have? Does it have a negative implication in terms of the work Uisce Éireann is doing for larger planning?