Results 501-520 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

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

Joanna Tuffy: I empathise with the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, because he is carrying the can for the Minister. Equally, the other Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was in a similar position the week before last when the legislation was introduced. On previous occasions, when the Minister...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Independents do not have that right under the law.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: A person must first resign.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: On a point of order, the Council decision, which I read, refers to a subsequent poll. I understand this is not a once-off derogation. The Minister referred to practicalities. However these will arise indefinitely. It would make sense for the derogation to be indefinite. However, the Government has implemented this as a once-off derogation.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: This only protects the present Government against the practicalities of a by-election. Others will not get the benefit of the derogation.

Seanad: School Accommodation. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I am looking for an update on school accommodation in the Lucan area. I have raised the matter a number of times. Since I raised the issue last, the building programme for 2004 was announced, which affects a number of schools in the area. I want to get an update on how they are affected by the building programme.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 5: In page 9, to delete lines 3 to 8 and substitute the following: "(c) it shall not be lawful for an employer to require an employee compulsorily to retire from his or her employment on reaching a particular age if on reaching that age the employee is able and willing to continue in employment." I referred to this matter on Second Stage. The purpose of the amendment is...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I understand what the Minister of State says. Obviously this would need to be thought through properly, and there are implications for industrial relations, and so on. I am concerned that if one waits for all that to happen, it might be too late to do something about it. There should be some kind of timescale, and deadlines. I understand that the EU is considering a compulsory retirement age...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 12, line 12, after "on" to insert "reasonable accommodation hereafter referred to as". We want to insert the term "reasonable accommodation" in section 9 because that is the term used in the explanatory memorandum but it is also used in US law. We do not understand the reason it cannot be used in the Bill. I would like to hear the Minister's comments on it.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The Labour Party opposes this section because it is a step backwards in terms of the legislation and is a huge inroad in terms of the current ban on sex discrimination in the workplace. In section 25 of the 1998 Act, gender is a legitimate requirement only in certain limited areas — physiology, entertainment, duties outside the State, personal services, separate sleeping facilities etc....

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I would be pleased if the Minister would look at it again to see whether any improvement can be made, as suggested by Senator O'Toole. I still do not see that it is narrower than the original section; I would have thought it was broader. I just think it might protect people to discriminate on grounds of gender. Research has been carried out that shows men think differently from women in...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I have similar concerns to Senator Terry in regard to this section. In the context of the amendment, the Minister of State might clarify how employees will fare in terms of the minimum wage.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 19: In page 18, before section 26, to insert the following new section: 26.—Section 69 of the Act of 1998 is amended by the addition of the following subsection after subsection (6)— '(6A) Where an employer fails to have an equality action plan (irrespective of whether he or she had been required pursuant to this section to have such a plan) it shall be presumed until...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I will not press it but I would like the Minister to consider the point I have raised in order that we might have some way of encouraging employers to have such measures in place to a greater degree than they are being encouraged to do so at present.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 21: In page 20, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following new paragraph: "(a) by the definition of subsection (2),". In this amendment we are deleting the provision that a discriminatory dismissal goes to the Labour Court and not the Equality Tribunal. There is a groundswell of opinion that the tribunal should have jurisdiction. I would like to hear the Minister of...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 22: In page 20, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following new paragraph: "(b) by the insertion in subsection (3) after 'Equal Treatment Directive' of 'or any other Directive referred to in the Title to the Equality Act 2004,'". The background to this Labour Party amendment is that EU law provides that where there is a breach of a directive, there must be a right to...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 24: In page 29, lines 10 and 11, to delete "(other than a separate and self-contained part)". This amendment seeks the deletion of the words "other than a separate and self-contained part". I wonder if that provision has been thought through. What does it mean? Does it, for example, relate to a granny flat or to a granny flat with a separate entrance? An extension to...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I am not happy with the Minister of State's response. He gave the example of bed and breakfast accommodation. Such a service could be provided in a house that is not self-contained. I am aware of situations where bed and breakfast is provided in a room of a house with the person sharing the bathroom with others. Such accommodation would not be covered by this provision. Does this provision...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I will withdraw the amendment and ask that the Minister of State look at it again.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 25: In page 29, line 11, after "home," to insert "or in the circumstances". The Minister responded to this amendment earlier. I am not sure its intention is as the Minister perceives it. Acceptance of the amendment would result in a better phrasing of the sentence. It is not our intention that the provision would apply outside the home. Our amendment tries to protect the...