Results 2,721-2,740 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community:

I welcome our guests. I remind people of their privileges and that they cannot participate if they are outside of Leinster House, etc. Those giving evidence have to be physically present within the grounds of Leinster House and should not criticise or make charges against any person, or identify him or her by name or in such a way that makes him or her identifiable. I think we all understand that.

I propose that we publish the opening statements from our witnesses. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that we invite our witnesses to speak for five or ten minutes and that we allow members to ask questions and make comments for approximately five minutes. Members may ask more questions after everybody gets an opportunity to speak.

The committee is looking at Travellers' experience of the justice system. Today we will focus on Travellers in prison. The committee has already visited Castlerea Prison, Mountjoy Female Prison - the Dóchas Centre - and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Travellers represent less than 1% of the population yet we make up 8% of male prisoners, 16% of female prisoners and 21% of children detained. The committee looks forward to hearing from our witnesses about this very important subject. We would like to hear about the experience of Travellers dealing with the justice system, including prison, and how we can make things better.

We are grateful to our witnesses for coming here today. They include representatives of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Traveller Justice Initiative, the Traveller Mediation Service and Barnardos.

Our witnesses are all very welcome here today.

It is very important for us as a committee to examine the justice system and, most importantly, why there are so many Travellers in prison in this country and what supports we need for Travellers. I am sure we all know the answers but it is important we document those answers and that this committee has a responsibility to work with the Traveller community.

We will begin with one quote a young man said to me in 2020. It was his first time to be in court and he was very nervous. I said to him he will be okay and that everything will be fine. He said, "No Eileen, I am already guilty." I said no, he would not be and that was up to the judge. He said, "I am guilty on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community." I want us all to be mindful of that before we start.

I will open it up to our witnesses. I ask Ms Saoirse Brady to begin.

(26 Sep 2024)

James O'Connor: I hate to reference it because there are many officials across the State and in the Civil Service who work hard to try to do their job. However, this is the type of thing that feeds into the narrative of people living in a state that is not dealing with the needs of the public despite the fact the Exchequer receipts are coming in so high. Given how profitable Irish Water is, it is in a...

Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community:

I welcome our guests. I remind people of their privileges and that they cannot participate if they are outside of Leinster House, etc. Those giving evidence have to be physically present within the grounds of Leinster House and should not criticise or make charges against any person, or identify him or her by name or in such a way that makes him or her identifiable. I think we all understand that.

I propose that we publish the opening statements from our witnesses. Is that agreed? Agreed. I suggest that we invite our witnesses to speak for five or ten minutes and that we allow members to ask questions and make comments for approximately five minutes. Members may ask more questions after everybody gets an opportunity to speak.

The committee is looking at Travellers' experience of the justice system. Today we will focus on Travellers in prison. The committee has already visited Castlerea Prison, Mountjoy Female Prison - the Dóchas Centre - and Oberstown Children Detention Campus. Travellers represent less than 1% of the population yet we make up 8% of male prisoners, 16% of female prisoners and 21% of children detained. The committee looks forward to hearing from our witnesses about this very important subject. We would like to hear about the experience of Travellers dealing with the justice system, including prison, and how we can make things better.

We are grateful to our witnesses for coming here today. They include representatives of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, the Traveller Justice Initiative, the Traveller Mediation Service and Barnardos.

Our witnesses are all very welcome here today.

It is very important for us as a committee to examine the justice system and, most importantly, why there are so many Travellers in prison in this country and what supports we need for Travellers. I am sure we all know the answers but it is important we document those answers and that this committee has a responsibility to work with the Traveller community.

We will begin with one quote a young man said to me in 2020. It was his first time to be in court and he was very nervous. I said to him he will be okay and that everything will be fine. He said, "No Eileen, I am already guilty." I said no, he would not be and that was up to the judge. He said, "I am guilty on the basis of being a member of the Traveller community." I want us all to be mindful of that before we start.

I will open it up to our witnesses. I ask Ms Saoirse Brady to begin.

(26 Sep 2024)

James O'Connor: That is all the more reason to do what I am asking.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Budget 2025 (26 Sep 2024)

James O'Connor: 69. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he has had with Government colleagues ahead of Budget 2025 in relation to the possible reduction of VAT on vaccines for animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38185/24]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Nitrates Usage (26 Sep 2024)

James O'Connor: 90. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the recent visit of the European Commission in relation to the nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38184/24]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Conservation (26 Sep 2024)

James O'Connor: 106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to reduce the current waiting times for applications for the SEAI warmer homes scheme (details supplied), particularly in cases where the need is most urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/24]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Childcare Services (26 Sep 2024)

James O'Connor: 272. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine the possibility of a higher subvention under a scheme (details supplied) for childcare providers offering baby services to assist them in meeting the 1:3 ratio required; if he will examine the possibility of allowing providers who have had their fees frozen, per requirement of their contract...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 8. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the eligibility rules for medical cards and GP cards for those with chronic and incurable autoimmune diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39429/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: My question concerns the eligibility rules for medical cards and GP cards in respect of people with chronic and incurable autoimmune diseases. This is an important issue for those it affects. These are difficult healthcare conditions that come with a lot of ramifications for quality of life and in terms of costs. People need access to community healthcare at a fair and affordable price....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: I see the point the Minister is making. It does not necessarily mean I wholeheartedly agree with it, but he is right to outline that. We do this best on the basis of age. I acknowledge the Department with its enormous resources has to prioritise what it feels is in the best interests of caring for the needs of our population around this expenditure and providing the best access to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Medical Cards (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: I know I have raised this with the Minister previously, but in that specific area around Rathcormack and in north Cork generally, people accessing healthcare services has been a huge difficulty and a huge challenge. In particular, I think of the town of Mitchelstown. I have raised here many times cases of a concentration of the healthcare resources in a primary care centre that is privately...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 13. To ask the Minister for Health if he will discuss the HSE capital plan project to develop a new ambulance training college in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39428/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: Once again, I take the opportunity to raise a constituency matter with the Minister. It relates to Youghal, County Cork, my home town and new capital developments there. I am really delighted with the progress that has been made under the HSE capital development plan. I worked very hard with the Minister and Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on delivering a new community nursing unit and a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: I welcome that. I am delighted there has been progress since we last spoke about this matter. I met the Minister in his office with departmental officials about this, and it is something we have been working on together. Youghal, as a town, has taken a hammering historically. There were 4,000 people directly employed in traditional industries there and Kodak flash cameras were made there....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ambulance Service (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: I am very pleased with that information. I am delighted to hear that the Minister will be in Youghal and about the difference the capital development will make. I recognise the contribution the ambulance service makes to our community. It is under huge pressure, as its staff tell me. Above all else, the new facility will bring a new generation of young people into the service, making a...

Financial Resolutions 2024 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, for sharing time. I join in the congratulations to my colleague the Minster, Deputy Chambers, on his first budget. I do not doubt that it was a difficult task for him and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, to piece together the budget over recent months. I want to share some of my thoughts and feelings on the budget. There are very obvious...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Active Travel (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on an active travel project (details supplied); the stage the project is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39547/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (3 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/24]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a foreign birth register application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40108/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (8 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 55. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funding allocated to all road infrastructure and maintenance since 2020; and the breakdown of funding for roads, by local authority, since 2020, in tabular form. [39628/24]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (8 Oct 2024)

James O'Connor: 172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school transport for a student with special education needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39720/24]