Results 5,881-5,900 of 28,255 for speaker:Éamon Ó Cuív

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am responding to this debate because my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, is tied up in the Seanad.

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is not the penguins, nor the zoo. This group of amendments deals with two broad areas, namely, the treatment of victims in amendments Nos. 1 and 2 and information to be given to victims in Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive. I acknowledge the Deputies' concern for victims of crime and the need to improve the manner in which their needs and concerns are addressed by the criminal justice system. I...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: While I heard what the Deputy had to say, I must simply agree to disagree with him. The balance the Minister has struck is correct and it is important to know the limitations of legislation in some circumstances and that tools like charters can work more flexibly and effectively. Ultimately, it is very important that people are protected. As Deputy Shatter stated, the best way to provide a...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The tortoise won the race.

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: This amendment repeats an amendment moved by Deputy Shatter's colleague, Senator Regan, last November on Committee Stage in the Seanad. At the time the Minister urged caution as the issue required careful consideration. He stated his view that issues of anonymity for persons convicted of sexual offences should be considered in the context of legislation governing those offences. This...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Government has outlined its position clearly. This is a systematic way to deal with the issues, in that a general scheme will be laid before the Government. One must go through the procedures to ensure what one does legislatively-----

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: When it is ready. I do not know the date. As the Deputy is aware, a great deal of legislation is being prepared by the Parliamentary Counsel and this must be done properly and comprehensively. These issues are always dealt with as speedily as possible, but I cannot give a date for publication. The Deputy seems to know, given the number of dates he was listing off a few minutes ago, but...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not propose to accept this amendment for two reasons. First, a legislative provision which gives a person a right to make an application to a court is normally understood as permitting another person to make that application on his or her behalf. Subsection (3)(a) follows this approach by simply providing that upon application by the person in respect of whom the offence was committed,...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I draw Deputy Rabbitte's attention to subsection (5), which he has referred to. It gives a sentencing court the power to prohibit the broadcasting or publication of all or part of a victim impact statement in the interests of justice. This mechanism provides the court with an alternative solution to that advocated by the Court of Criminal Appeal, albeit in obiter dictum remarks in the Wayne...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: It is necessary to avoid a situation arising in which a victim was found to be in contempt of court. A better solution is to leave it to the judge if he or she feels it necessary to ensure the non-publication of matters that strayed from the written submission and resulted in damaging allegations against a person. The existing provision in subsection 5 is comprehensive enough and gives...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I do not propose to accept this amendment. It seeks to bring about a provision that already exists in the legislation. It is, therefore, not necessary. Section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993, which will be substituted by section 4, sets out the circumstances in which a sentencing judge is required to take into account victim impact evidence and the circumstances in which a victim has...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I remind Deputies of the general position, which I set out earlier, and the respective contributions that can be made by legislation and otherwise towards meeting the genuine needs and concerns of victims. This applies also to the current set of amendments. I will not labour the point but will make a few observations on the proposals included in this group. At first sight these amendments...

Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: I am not accepting these amendments because the policy behind them is confused and because, as presented, they would cause drafting difficulties. More significantly, they would require elaborate systems for their operation, which would not be targeted but would use up resources better employed in providing services where there is a demand.

Business of Dáil (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, I would like to thank the Deputies who participated in the debate on the Criminal Procedure Bill. It is an important Bill, and although some of its effects may take some time to be seen, they will, nevertheless, be significant. By opening the possibility of retrials in the event of undeserved acquittal, the Bill ensures a...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The following table shows the number of farm assist recipients for each of the years requested. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 4/7/2010 National 7847 7500 7390 7525 9039 10,153 South Tipperary Not available Not available 85 86 137 Clonmel 28Cahir 38Cashel 16Tipperary 66 There are are currently 597 farm assist claims awaiting a decision nationally. Statistics on recipients were kept on a...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, is a permanently occupied barracks with a total of 210 military personnel stationed there at present. In addition, there are 9 civilian staff employed at the barracks. I am advised that total direct expenditure on upgrading and maintenance of the property between 2000 and July 2010 was in the region of €4.5 million. The Department and the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The current budgetary position necessitated the changes made to social welfare benefits, including treatment benefits, in Budget 2010. As a result from 1 st January 2010, treatments available under the dental element of the scheme are limited to the free examination. This allows people to continue to have regular check-ups and helps ensure the early detection of disease and other health...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that it has received an application for rent supplement from the person concerned but that no decision has been made on the application to date. The Executive will contact the person concerned directly when a decision has been made on his application for rent supplement.

Written Answers — review ^^ Departmental Funding: review ^^ Departmental Funding (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The information requested is currently being compiled within the Department and will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Appeals: Social Welfare Appeals (8 Jul 2010)

Éamon Ó Cuív: The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned has been referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.