Results 481-500 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: It was an amendment. Amendment No. 36 seeks to extend the timescale from six weeks to six months. I see no benefit in extending the period of appeal for such a long time. The time period in the Bill is in line with other legislation. The Government amendments made in the Dáil on Report Stage struck a fair balance between what is envisaged by the Senator and the provisions of the Bill as...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: If a six-month timescale was allowed for making appeals, both the applicant and the executive or education service provider could delay lodging an appeal. We are trying to ensure we cut out long delays and bureaucracy. This is critical to the ethos of this Bill. A six-month appeals period would delay the resolution further and it would be the applicant who would suffer most from the delay. I...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: This amendment would allow for an appeal to the District Court on the facts established by the appeals officer. Section 20 provides that appeal to the court will arise only on a point of law to the High Court. This approach is consistent with practice in other statute-based appeals systems, such as planning and social welfare. It provides the advantage that the system of appeals is...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: Senator Terry expressed concern yesterday about the timescale for the assessment of urgent cases. Having considered the matter further, I am prepared to review the regulatory provisions in section 21 to ascertain whether further provision can be made in this respect. I will consult the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to see whether it will be possible to introduce an amendment in...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I mean that I cannot accept the Senator's amendment.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: If amendment No. 40 is accepted, a person will be able to seek a court enforcement order, without having prior recourse to the complaints or appeals processes, if the executive or the head of the relevant education service provider fails to implement a service statement. Such a person could bypass the complaints procedures provided for in sections 14 and 15 and the appeals procedures outlined...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: Section 25 obliges public bodies to make public buildings accessible to people with disabilities, in accordance with Part M of the building regulations. Section 25(3)(a) states that public buildings will have to comply with Part M "not later than 31 December 2015". It is proposed in amendment No. 41 that the "compliance of public buildings with Part M shall be ensured by the allocation of...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I do not accept that the provisions can be put in place straight away — it is a little more complicated than that. Given that the building control (amendment) Bill is more comprehensive, it will do a much better job in reaching the objective of both Senators.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: Section 31 outlines the six Ministers required under the Bill to prepare sectoral plans. These include the Minister for Health and Children, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment....

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I apologise. I am acutely aware of the concerns expressed on the issue. These changes, which are the subject of amendments Nos. 44 and 45, were sought by the DLCG at its recent meeting with the Taoiseach and me. They have been considered in consultation with the other Ministers. Having secured agreement on the strengthening of reporting requirements, I am happy to table Government amendments...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I assure the Senators there will be a change in attitude within public bodies. Whether it is called disability proofing or something else, the legislation for the first time places a significant obligation on all public bodies to provide accessibility for people with disabilities. The obligation will cost the State a considerable amount over the next ten years and that is the reason it has...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: There will be for the new building under the building regulations.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I am tempted to answer the question by asking the Senator what she means by disability proofing.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: What does the Senator mean by disability proofing?

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: The answer to the question is "Yes". There is a strong obligation under this Bill for public bodies to provide for accessibility, which is one of the few obligations in this country's legislation. In response to Senator O'Rourke's question, at the beginning of each year Ministers must set out the amount of money they will provide for disability services.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: One could do so if one wanted to.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: The Minister states the amount of money at the beginning of the year but that amount cannot be ring-fenced due to the requirement of Ministers to take account of their other responsibilities. We have agreed to disagree with the DLCG on this issue. Senator O'Rourke was herself a good Minister in the education and even the health areas. As I have pointed out time and again since the start of...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: One must agree when they point out that in the interests of good governance and responsible expenditure of Exchequer money, one must leave flexibility in place. While one may have the desire, determination and so on to provide for these services, as the Government does, one must do so within a statutory framework that is sensible and responsible. We got the balance right in this legislation...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: In answer to Senator O'Meara's question, that is a standard provision in legislation.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: We can include Seanad Éireann by all means.