Results 21,181-21,200 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Deputy Connolly indicated next. She will be followed by Deputies Pringle and Martin Kenny. I welcome Deputy Bríd Smith to the committee and she is very welcome.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Deputy Connolly. Deputy Pringle is next, followed by Deputy Martin Kenny.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I will call Senator Frances Black next. For the benefit of Deputy Bríd Smith, I must explain that I have to call committee members first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I apologise, but I have to stick to the procedure.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We do not intend to do that to the Deputy. I am sure she will be the good wine today. I will call Senator Black, to be followed by Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile and Deputy Bríd Smith, who by the way will not be the last because the Chairman always goes last in this committee. She will be before me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Senator Black and will be coming back on the some of the points she has raised. I know she would like to have gone into another gear again on the points she has made and I am underscoring that. I thank her for that. Is that fair comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thought it was.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Senator should go for it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Currently, people must be in the country for nine months before they can apply for work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is important that we do not give a false impression. There is still that impediment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It would be of benefit to all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Deputy Jack Chambers and will make a number of points myself. Like the practice of the Ombudsman's office heretofore, we were obliged to give notice of our intended visits earlier this year. Among the abiding impressions and memories is the remaining smell of fresh paint. Is the Ombudsman as familiar with that as we most certainly are? It has stayed with me ever since.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: A number of things come to mind. One is the issue of complaints received and complaints raised. Our exposure, certainly in my own case and that of Senator Black and it probably applies to others, is not confined to the committee's visits. Many residents do not raise issues. Such issues can be referenced and what other yardstick can be measured, other than complaints received and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I cited a particular case that I followed up myself as Chairman of the Committee on Justice and Equality. The response I got was that RIA had decided the person in question is not 16 years of age, with no evidence provided. I have to say, with all respect to RIA, and this is not the only issue, this is not acceptable to me as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: In one of his responses on advice of intention to attend, Mr. Mallen gave an elaboration that it is not given only to the management of a centre. Did I pick it up correctly? Who advises the NGOs? To which NGOs did Mr. Mallen refer with regard to advising those in a particular catchment that the Office of the Ombudsman proposes to visit somewhere? He went on to say the office also advises...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: From my exposure to the matter, some of the friends of the centre groups in various parts of the country have been able to structure drop-in centres. In the area I am most aware of and exposed to, it is super. It is all part of the efforts of very good people in the community. I would cut out the management as a dependent means of advising. If there is an identifiable address with a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Mr. Tyndall very much indeed. As I indicated, when we publish our report we will, of course, provide him with copies. On behalf of the committee, I thank Mr. Tyndall, Mr. Garvey, and Mr. Mallen. I wish all of them, and the entire team in the Office of the Ombudsman, continued success in making a difference in the lives of ordinary people. We depend so very much on what they do....

Status of History in the Framework for Junior Cycle: Statements (1 Oct 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Cuirim fáilte roimh an gcinneadh an stair a choinneáil mar ábhar lárnach sa teastas sóisearach. Is mar gheall ar bhrú ón phobal a tharla an t-athrú seo. While I welcome the news that history is to be a designated core subject for the junior certificate, I want to commend the efforts of the many individuals and groups who campaigned to reverse the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Business of Joint Committee (2 Oct 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I remind members to switch off their mobile telephones as they interfere with the recording equipment. I have not been advised of any apologies. We will now go into private session to deal with housekeeping matters.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Online Harassment and Harmful Communications: Discussion (2 Oct 2019)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The purpose of today's meeting is to begin a series of engagements on the issue of online harassment and harmful communications. We are joined by Mr. Michael Gubbins, chief superintendent, special crime operations, An Garda Síochána, and Mr. Pat Ryan, detective superintendent in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. From the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to...