Results 3,921-3,940 of 11,812 for speaker:Denis O'Donovan

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I suggest that Dr. Thornton ponders the queries as next we will hear from the Irish Human Rights Commission. We will have a question and answer session after the delegation makes its presentation.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Does Dr. Hogan wish to take up some time?

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: That is fine. We will take the Irish Penal Reform Trust, IPRT, now as well. Ms Deirdre Malone has ten minutes, if she wishes to use it, to synopsise the submission the committee received already and highlight the issues.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank Ms Malone. At this point, a question raised by Senator Cummins remains outstanding. Having mulled over in his mind what I am sure is an appropriate answer for him, I will allow Dr. Thornton to respond first.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: The Senator now has the microphone and after four minutes, I will issue her with a caution.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Not a warning but a caution.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I call Senator Wilson and I will save my question until last.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Dr. Thornton might respond to those questions.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I will come back to the Senator. I am conscious of the significant work the Senator has put into this and she will certainly not be excluded from posing more questions.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Looking back to 1995 and 1996, the level of inward migration to this country was 100 to 150 people per annum, and in the period following that, there was a huge increase in the number of economic migrants and refugees to this country seeking asylum due to our economic boom. I recall at the time that there was a strong squeeze put on the then Government to provide services and there were...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: On the issue of children in remand, is it the Irish Penal Reform Trust's opinion that in an ideal world remand centres for children should not exist, particularly in respect of those of a tender age? Perhaps that is an utopian view but Ms Malone may wish to comment.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I was interested to hear that the numbers and demand in Oberstown have decreased. I suggest that the current and previous Governments have put considerable effort into developing the juvenile justice system. We investigated the models in New South Wales and New Zealand and copied them. Significant progress has been made in using remand as a last resort for young children. Are these...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: We are coming to the close of this session. Dr. Hogan posed a question for us. I suppose what we are doing - members may support me in this view - is shining a light on the issues. We are not here to take on the Government. We will present our report, which we hope to conclude in two or three weeks, to the Government following the work we are doing and the witnesses' submissions. We hope...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I am a member of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, which is chaired by Deputy David Stanton. Its unanimous recommendation on recognising Traveller ethnicity was a significant step. This was the first time in my political career that the committee made such a forceful recommendation. That is a very important development.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Given the large number of questions asked, I will give the witnesses a few minutes to answer them. They can take them in whichever order they wish.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Ms Quilligan has covered a lot. She said four and I think she-----

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I appreciate that. It is just with our time constraint-----

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: Does Ms Fay wish to make any comments before we conclude?

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I thank the witnesses and we appreciate their being here. They are quite welcome to remain where they are or move into the seats behind while we move on to the next part of our public hearings. I call Professor Michael O'Flaherty from the Irish Centre for Human Rights who has ten minutes, after which we might have brief questions and answers.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Irish Compliance with International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Discussion (6 May 2014)

Denis O'Donovan: I have some questions. The spotlight will be on Ireland in July.