Results 17,901-17,920 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Northern Ireland Issues. (26 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the contacts he has had with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, regarding the Irish peace process since the dissolution of the 29th Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16481/07]

Northern Ireland Issues. (26 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the procedures in place for liaison between his Department and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16482/07]

Northern Ireland Issues. (26 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the Houses of Parliament in London on 15 May 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16483/07]

Northern Ireland Issues. (26 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: At the outset, I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his kind remarks. Will the Taoiseach join me in commending the people of south Armagh who for decades have had to endure the British occupation of their community and environment and who yesterday saw a significant milestone towards the total demilitarisation of their area, and indeed of the Six Counties area, with the decision of the British...

Nomination of Taoiseach. (14 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: On behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies I join earlier speakers in congratulating Deputy Bertie Ahern on his election as Taoiseach of the 30th Dáil. I echo what has been said, namely, it is a remarkable achievement in the short political life of this State and of Irish politics on the island of Ireland. I wish him well in the period ahead, whatever duration that will be. As I indicated in my...

Allocation of Time: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is not agreed. The Taoiseach has introduced a proposal to the House the outworking of which will prevent the party I represent from direct participation in the debate to take place. The use of the word "group" to signify those with more than seven Deputies and the fact that there is not now a technical group, the Taoiseach having hoovered up most of those who made it up over the past...

Allocation of Time: Motion (14 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I wish to respond briefly. We can certainly be accommodated if Government Deputies, of all hues, undertake to change the Standing Order.

Nomination of Taoiseach. (14 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I again wish you every success in your position as Ceann Comhairle and confirm that my colleagues and I in the Sinn Féin Party will co-operate with you during the course of the Dáil term before us. There is a collective responsibility on all of us who are elected to the Dáil to govern fairly in the interests of the people. That is something the electorate wants us to do regardless of the...

Business of Dáil: Motion. (14 Jun 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I take this opportunity to wish the Ceann Comhairle well in his position. However, all Members must recognise that this proposition, which is time-limited to 4.30 p.m., allows a mere 40 minutes to address the appointment of Taoiseach. Several Members of all opinion in this House will wish to address this important issue. I ask the Chief Whip and Deputy Bertie Ahern, as leader of the Fianna...

Written Answers — Accident and Emergency Services: Accident and Emergency Services (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 116: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a reply will issue from the Health Service Executive to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 6 March 2007, which according to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 5 April 2007 was due to issue shortly. [15747/07]

Commissions of Investigation: Motions (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The O'Neill report on the Leas Cross nursing home served as an indictment of successive Governments and of the health board and Health Service Executive bureaucracies which presided over a system that allowed the old and the vulnerable to be disgracefully neglected in nursing homes. I have little doubt that inadequate staffing, inadequate care and, most seriously, inadequate vigilance on the...

Literacy Levels. (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Question 9: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 25% of the Irish working population lack functional literacy skills; his plans to introduce a robust programme to eradicate literacy problems in the workplace; the specific target dates for the incremental eradication of these literacy problems; and if he will make a...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 6: In page 3, line 30, to delete "five" and substitute "three". The Bill provides that a foster parent or relative who has cared for a child for a continuous period of five years — the child having, in the first instance, been placed with him or her by the Health Service Executive — may apply for a court order for increased autonomy in respect of the care of the...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: This is a difficult area and clearly not every case will be the same. What we are trying to provide for is the right to apply. We are not determining the outcome. I take on board the point made by the Minister of State, but we should open the door to the opportunity. During the process of an application for a court order, the considered and well-based views of professionals will be taken...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I was a lone objector on the Order of Business——

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: ——to the allocation of time. That was the sole focus of my disagreement with the provision to address this motion. I welcome the Minister of State's introduction to this morning's discussion and the detail presented in regard to the effects of all the new amendments now presented. Recalling the Taoiseach's declaration of embarrassment yesterday, I will not add to the Minister of State's...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am not a member of the committee and it is impossible. However, I am working on it and in the coming weeks, I hope to solve the problem. I believe the Minister of State knows the answer to that. At the end of the day, this is all about implementation. The key to all of that is resources. I refer briefly to a number of points in the Minister of State's preamble, including the reference...

Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I apologise. It is after-school care, but it is a mix of three pre-school children and five children in total. My understanding heretofore — perhaps the Minister of State will clarify whether this is correct — is that this represents a change on the current situation. The Minister of State will appreciate I have only had sight of this detail while sitting in the Chamber. My...

Order of Business (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is not agreed. The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2006 has already passed through the Seanad and has gone through Second and Committee Stages, yet the Minister has brought forward very substantive amendments which in our view fundamentally alter the nature and purpose of the Bill. These amendments do not relate to the very specific and narrow original purpose of the Bill, which was to...

Order of Business (26 Apr 2007)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am well aware of what we are discussing.