Results 5,061-5,080 of 9,159 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions Ratification (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: My core criticism still stands. The five-year term of this Government is now almost complete. A range of legislation has been drafted, identified as a Government priority and pushed through ahead of recesses and, sometimes, pushed through all Stages on the one day. We are not going to resolve this by arguing here today. What needs to be agreed by all parties, on all sides of these Houses,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Independent Review Mechanism (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 51. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the severe criticism of the resource and process limitations of the Independent Review Mechanism tasked with examining allegations of malpractice in An Garda Síochána; and if she is considering a new independent process or recourse for concerned citizens or families. [42497/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Independent Review Mechanism (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As the Minister knows there is severe criticism of the limitations, resourcing and so on of the Independent Review Mechanism. Is the Minister considering a new independent process that is much more rigorous and adequately resourced to deal with the very serious concerns and allegations of families across the State?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Independent Review Mechanism (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I have no doubt that many of the 320 complaints were not valid but a significant number are. I have met some of the families and the cases are appalling. I have five or six cases here but I was struck by a new one that came to me yesterday. Other Members would have received the letter too. The family's comment says it all. They were utterly dismayed at the review. No one spoke to them,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Independent Review Mechanism (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: When this process commenced, I had hopes for it, but I have no confidence in it now. I find it unbelievable Members of the Oireachtas are being asked to stand over an independent review mechanism that does not speak to the people who make allegations, does not seek further information and does not visit the bodies about which allegations sometimes are made to seek access to files. How can...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Independent Review Mechanism (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am asking the Minister to please look back again at some of these cases and offer those concerned a ray of hope because they are in despair.

Other Questions: Sentencing Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 53. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Private Members' Bill, Sentencing Council Bill 2015. [42456/15]

Other Questions: Sentencing Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As the Minister may know, I have published the Sentencing Council Bill 2015. I am seeking for this State to implement a sentencing council, similar to what is in place in England and Wales, where clear sentencing guidelines are issued to the Judiciary based on consultation with the public and key stakeholders to ensure we can have accountability and consistency in the sentences handed out by...

Other Questions: Sentencing Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is a remarkable response. The Minister should think about what a sentencing council is. The majority of members on the sentencing council in England and Wales are members of the judiciary and that protects the independence of the judiciary. They consult the public and stakeholders and issue guidelines so that every judge - in this State that would be the District and Circuit Courts up...

Other Questions: Sentencing Policy (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Constitution rightly provides for the separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Legislature, but the people are sovereign and their interests are not being served in many of the sentences being handed down in the courts. We need to hold the Judiciary to account. Judges cannot be a law unto themselves; they need to be held to account. In fairness to the Judiciary, the judicial...

Leaders' Questions (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Cop on.

Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: With regard to the criminal justice (sexual offences) Bill, last night's "RTE Investigates" report on the control by criminal gangs of prostitution across this island was devastating. It was a remarkable four-year investigation. Will the Taoiseach get this legislation through these Houses before Christmas and make sure that across the island of Ireland those who believe they have the right...

Order of Business (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I asked whether it will pass through both Houses before Christmas.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 63. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality why the Judicial Council Bill and the issue of the reform to judicial appointments have not been progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas during this Government's term of office to date. [42460/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 102. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the decision to close 139 Garda Síochána stations in recent years, given that the savings are only around €4,000 per station per year. [42458/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Community (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 107. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Government intends to make a statement recognising the ethnicity of the Traveller community as recommended by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality over a year ago. [42459/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 116. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality why the Mediation Bill has not progressed through the houses of the Oireachtas over the past three years. [42457/15]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 244. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will provide the funding to complete the breakwater at Greencastle in County Donegal; and if he will support the plans to develop Greencastle Harbour as recently presented to his ministerial colleague and Department officials. [42311/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 311. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any embassies made requests to An Garda Síochána for additional security over recent times; and if those requests were adhered to. [42319/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 385. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the long waiting lists for patients with diabetes type 1 to see a consultant in Letterkenny University Hospital in County Donegal. [42307/15]