Results 481-500 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (11 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 7: In page 9, lines 17 and 18, to delete "(other than the last 3 classes in such a set)". It is wrong to exclude the right to leave for the last three antenatal classes. For example, if the last three classes are held before the employee takes maternity leave, she would not have the right to attend them. This is an unfair restriction. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea,...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (11 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank both Senators for supporting the amendment, which I intend to press because the point is sufficiently important. It seems so unnecessary to exclude the three classes. I can understand that employers might have concerns about the cost to their own businesses, but many employers would not deduct pay if a pregnant employee attended antenatal classes. It is in the interest of their...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (11 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 11, to delete lines 13 to 17. This amendment was also tabled on Committee Stage when we sought to oblige employers to provide facilities for breastfeeding in the workplace. This amendment does not go that far but we feel it is wrong to state that the employer does not have to provide such facilities. We had a detailed discussion on this matter on Committee...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (11 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: The purpose of amendment No. 10 is for clarification. A similar amendment was tabled on Committee Stage but it has been changed to facilitate the Government because the current wording of the section goes beyond what it should. My understanding is that the way the section is currently worded means an employee who is breastfeeding and who has not taken advantage of the provisions of the...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (11 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister of State and I welcome the legislation, which is positive and represents progress. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, and his officials for their work on the legislation. I also thank the Senators present for their contributions, including Senator Henry for her contribution earlier and Senator White for her contribution on the previous occasion. I particularly...

Seanad: Address by Mr. Brian Crowley, MEP. (11 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome Mr. Crowley and thank him for his speech. I was introduced to him just a couple of weeks ago but met him a few years ago during one of the Cork by-elections either in Cork North-Central or South-Central. I knew from the reaction of people meeting him that day that he was well thought of and well liked in his constituency and nationally. I found Mr. Crowley's contribution very...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I refer to a report in the Irish Examiner today about the distribution of apparent pornographic images of a schoolgirl via mobile phones. The wide availability of pornography needs to be debated in the House. An EU report published last week found that 70% of Internet sales relate to pornography. We should do what we can to limit, control and monitor the availability of pornography. Many...

Seanad: Report on Future Skills Needs: Statements. (22 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Some speakers mentioned the need for urgency in the implementation of these recommendations. Senator White stated that we cannot be complacent. The Minister of State's speech was very informative, especially his reference to the next phase for the expert group and the advisory committee. It is helpful to have that information. The Minister of State listed the recommendations in the different...

Seanad: Youth Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I am glad the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is here to listen to this debate because I know he is familiar with the centre about which I wish to speak. I am sure he has visited the Carline Centre for Learning in Lynch's Lane in the Clondalkin-Lucan area. The centre was established some years ago by a nun who works in the area,...

Seanad: Youth Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I understood I had tabled this matter for response by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Seanad: Youth Services. (22 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I had understood that officials of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform had been involved in discussions with Carline. While the Minister has said no application is outstanding, I understood someone from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform went to the centre before Christmas. I can table the matter for discussion again.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The Irish Times today mentions the latest annual report of the national parasuicide registry, which states that in 2002, 8,500 people, including children as young as five years, attended accident and emergency departments with injuries suffered during attempted suicide or self-harm. The report highlights the ways in which these cases were dealt with, which varied according to health board...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I have similar reservations to those expressed by Senators Finucane and O'Toole. We are rushing important legislation through the House. This is particularly disrespectful to the Seanad, especially as the Dáil deemed it unacceptable to deal with this legislation yesterday. This legislation is a response to a mistake in legislation that has been enacted. While the Minister has said he wants...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The Labour Party accepts the need for amending legislation in response to the recent High Court case. Contrary to the Minister of State's suggestion, the Labour Party accepts the need for immigration controls and has a comprehensive policy in this regard which has been welcomed by the Irish Refugee Council. The Minister of State spoke about the background to this Bill. The recent High Court...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Minister of State. On the question of women in politics, it is my experience that one is not generally discriminated against in politics. I accept what was said in the past few days was inappropriate and old-fashioned but that is not the rule. My party encourages women to become involved in politics and to put themselves forward as candidates. My experience in the Labour Party...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: That is an issue I ask the Minister of State to examine. If we are serious about doing more to promote equality in society, we should review the Intoxicating Liquor Act.

Seanad: Israel-Palestine: Motion. (4 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank Senator Norris for tabling the motion which I support. I thank him for his account of his visit to the occupied territories. I welcome the two Ministers and thank the Minister, Deputy Cowen, for his informative account of the initiatives he has taken in the last few months, which I welcome. I welcome in particular the fact that he met with Prime Minister Sharon and President Arafat. I...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: This morning's debate reveals that there is much expertise available in the Oireachtas, and particularly on Senator Henry's part, that the Minister could have used in putting this Bill through the Houses. Unfortunately, in the Seanad, that opportunity was missed because we cannot have much effect here. The Bill will go through with no changes. We have mentioned the correspondence from...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Amendment No. 3 refers to the subject matter of an amendment tabled by the Labour Party in the Dáil and Seanad. I welcome the Minister's acceptance of our point.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Again this refers to a Labour Party proposal. I thank the Minister for accepting it.