Results 3,361-3,380 of 4,404 for speaker:Liz McManus

Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: They have seen photographs of the children in question in orphanages, but they cannot get access because of the Government's failure to provide a new agreement.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I move amendment No. 32: In page 39, between lines 26 and 27, to insert the following: "(2) Prior to making a levy order the Authority shall once every three years present to the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee a three year budget including the levy intended to be imposed for the information of the Joint Committee prior to a levy order being made.". Members have returned to the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: The Minister is amusing us. He has made a speech as if someone had argued against regulation. None of us is arguing against that. He has outlined the benefits of regulation, for which I thank him, but we are aware of them and do not need to have them rehearsed. That is not the argument or the point at issue. The industry accepts that it must pay for regulation but I have heard from many...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: None of that is in the Bill.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: There is nothing in the Bill about those kinds of reforms so I do not know how the Minister can claim that it can or will happen. That is not the nature of the beast, which is instead to set up a little empire and try to draw in resources. The Minister did not answer the staffing question, which is very important. I would be grateful if he would comment on that issue. Is the right of the...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I would prefer to have an answer.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: The Minister did not reply to the question on staffing. He is being extremely selective in the context of the answers he is providing.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I welcome the changes the Minister is making. It must be acknowledged that he has listened to the Opposition and has made a good decision in the context of extending the period of a licence. It seemed particularly unfair that in circumstances where the incumbent had no competitor, the period was limited to four years. Like Deputy Coveney, I welcome the extension from four to six years and...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: Yes.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I move amendment No. 36: In page 43, line 29, after "crime" to insert the following: ", anti-social behaviour, exploitation or commercialisation of children or bullying". An issue arises in regard to the type of material broadcast to children. We are all conscious of the fact that we should not overdo the restrictive approach but the problem of anti-social behaviour is a real one which is...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I accept that there are certain protections in this section but there is a slightly difference emphasis in amendment No. 42. There is a growing understanding that we need to know more about the impact of violence and explicit sexual behaviour as broadcast on television on people generally. I do not know how far we can take this but there has been a reaction because in the past those of us...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: Amendment No. 39 accepts that because of the way broadcasting can operate, it is not always possible to ensure the requirement of the ten minutes in the hour limit for advertisements is adhered to strictly all day every day. To average it over two hours provides a certain amount of flexibility which would be fair to broadcasters. The current provision as it stands has only led to...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I move amendment No. 39: In page 44, line 34, after "minutes" to insert "averaged over two consecutive hours". Even if amendment No. 38 had been pressed, this amendment could still have been moved.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I appreciate this is a difficult issue and we are all conscious that we need to adopt a certain prudence but I agree with Deputy Coveney. The Minister is deleting section 41(6) on legal advice because it might be seen to be prescriptive, as only newspaper, magazines or periodicals and events or ceremonies could be exempt. I do not understand how that can be the case because the section is...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I disagree.

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I strongly support Deputy Coveney on this issue. It is time we got to grips with alcohol and its abuse. We have talked about it for long enough. When one looks at the fairly dramatic changes that have occurred on another public health issue, namely, smoking, it is clear that political decisions can make a real difference. I am conscious of the fact that not that long ago, when Deputy...

Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: I ask the Minister to take note of this. He will have time to think about it and he should consider the points that have been made today. He should consult with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the Green Party's views on this whole issue. I suspect that the Minister is so busy that he might have forgotten the Green Party position on these important issues.

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 271: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will renew the bilateral adoption agreement between Ireland and Vietnam before the Adoption Bill 2009 is passed; the position regarding inter-country adoption, in particular such adoptions between Ireland and Vietnam; the status of the agreement between the two countries; the status of persons who had been on the list of...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 349: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a bonus was paid to management in the Legal Aid Board; the amount of bonus given per manager; the total amount given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17562/09]

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 May 2009)

Liz McManus: Question 350: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the attendance of the Legal Aid Board at a conference in New Zealand; the person who paid for the various travel expenses for this trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17563/09]