Results 2,661-2,680 of 9,147 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Private Members]: Second Stage (21 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is correct. Sinn Féin is using its Private Members' business tonight and tomorrow night to debate our recently published Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014. As most Members of the House will already be aware, this Bill seeks to amend the Charities Act of 2009 by ensuring that all the provisions of that Act are fully enacted by 31 May 2014. It also seeks to add the "advancement of...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (21 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 348. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) with full parental responsibility for their two young children has been refused one parent family payment. [2531/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations Closures (21 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 502. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for Swinford Garda station, County Mayo; and if he will allay the concerns of the local community that it will be reduced to a part-time station from its current status. [2439/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Consultancy Contracts (21 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 515. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form a list of all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, capital, advertising and accountancy; and the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 May 2011 and 31 December 2013. [2732/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Consultancy Contracts (21 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 516. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of consultants or consultancy firms employed by his Department during each of the past five years; the purpose and duration of each of these consultancies or consultancy contracts; the names of the consultants or firms; if he will list architectural consultancies separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2734/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (21 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 535. To ask the Minister for Defence the current effective strength of the Reserve Defence Forces, with figures broken down to the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve; and when he foresees the beginning of recruitment to fill vacancies in the RDF. [2440/14]

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Look at the mess that has created.

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I wish to deal with the reasons given yesterday by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and reiterated today by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, with regard to the human rights issue. I am very disappointed and it is a missed opportunity that it will not be incorporated into the Charities Act 2009. The reasons given are to do with technical issues for...

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That announcement was welcome but we will monitor progress closely. We will table parliamentary questions and we will raise this issue again and again in the House until all the legislative provisions have been implemented. If the Government parties takes the decision to vote our Bill down, we will hold them to account throughout the year. We will pursue this legislation until it is...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I refer to an issue which the Minister and I might discuss later. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has raised concerns about the attachment order in that it could possibly facilitate the dismissal of an employee or could lead to discrimination in the future. It suggests that we should consider amending the Bill to protect the rights of persons served with an attachment order. I ask the...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I move amendment No. 4: In page 8, line 4, to delete "12 months" and substitute "24 months".I welcome the Minister to the committee. This Bill is very much welcome, particularly in the context of the report on overcrowding in Cork Prison that was published some weeks ago. Unfortunately, many judges continue to imprison people for non-payment of fines, a practice which causes great...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Minister made a legitimate point with regard to the unintended implications involved so the amendment needs to be reworded. I will not move the amendment but I will resubmit a reworded version on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I move amendment No. 7: In page 8, to delete lines 24 to 35.I take on board the fact that if a person is the subject of a 1 cent fine, it clearly cannot be repaid over a period of 24 months. However, there are individuals who may be fined €100 and who would not have the ability to pay upfront. I accept the Minister's point with regard to extending the period to 24 months and, as a...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I reserve the right to bring forward amendments to this section on Report Stage.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The first petition is No. 00062/12 from Dr. Clara Fischer on behalf of the Equality Budgeting Campaign calling on the Irish Government to introduce equality budgeting. As the committee has already deliberated on this matter, I invite members to make their recommendations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: During our deliberations, a number of issues arose that we would ask the Equality Budgeting Campaign to clarify in advance of the presentation so as to help our consideration. Is that agreed? Agreed. Petition No. 00075/12 is from Ms Melissa Halpin seeking the revocation of a foreshore licence granted to Providence Resources plc to drill in Dublin Bay. It also seeks a public inquiry into...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes. I confirm that the Deputy did not participate in this or the previous discussion on the matter due to a declared interest. Petition No. 00077/12 from Ms Patricia O'Leary proposes that it should be possible for all foreign driving licence holders to swap their licences for Irish licences. The petitioner is of the view that people coming to Ireland can only transfer their licences for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Did an issue also arise concerning the equivalence? When we send the petitioner the Minister's letter, we might also add a few explanatory points.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is that agreed? Agreed. Petition No. 00015/13 from Mr. Niall Kelly calls for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the Financial Services Ombudsman to fall under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. We have had a chance to deliberate on this petition. I open the discussion to the floor. Deputy Flanagan wishes to make a recommendation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (22 Jan 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is that agreed? Agreed. Petition No. 00024/13 from Mr. Kevin Sharkey relates to recruitment policy at RTE. The petitioner is of the opinion that there is a policy within RTE to the effect that the station should only employ white people. The committee previously considered this petition at its meeting on 11 December 2013 and agreed to write to RTE seeking a response to the issues raised....