Results 601-620 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: This amendment does not do what the Deputy wants.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: It really is the choice of the individuals. If they want to terminate their adoptive unpaid leave to go on paid sickness benefit, it is a matter for them and there is no problem. This amendment is not necessary in that regard and the deletion of subsection (4)(b) would not have the effect of leaving the balance of untaken leave available at a later time.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: I have no argument with the Deputy but if she is proposing that the balance of leave should be postponed or suspended, she must table an amendment to that effect because amendment No. 22 does not deal with that matter.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: We are not proposing that it would be suspended or postponed but that it would be terminated.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: If a person wants to terminate the unpaid adoptive leave, that person is entitled to sick benefit.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: What the Deputy is suggesting would mean that this would be an unclear law, which would not be in anyone's interests.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: It is not unjust.

Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad] : Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (19 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: I thank Members for their contributions to the debate on the Bill. It is important legislation that will enhance the lives of adoptive parents. I appreciate the strong views expressed by Members concerning aspects of the Bill but, in light of the circumstances I have outlined, it is not possible to accept them at this stage. With the evolving policy changes in terms of family life balance, I...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Second Stage. (20 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 amends the Parental Leave Act 1998 to implement a Government commitment in the Sustaining Progress social partnership agreement. This commitment is to strengthen the parental leave scheme in line with the agreed recommendations of the social partners arising from the working group on the review and...

Seanad: Rail Services. (20 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: Following a number of years of underinvestment, the Government has provided significant funding for public transport since 1999. The role the railway plays in moving large numbers of people in an efficient manner has been particularly recognised. More than €1 billion has been spent in recent years in bringing the rail network up to an acceptable level to cater for the increasing demands...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: The Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 was introduced in the Seanad over 12 months ago. A number of amendments were made during its passage through this House and I welcome the opportunity to return to the House to report on further amendments made to the Bill in Dáil Éireann. A total of 11 Government amendments and one Opposition amendment were accepted on Committee Stage in the Dáil. Amendments...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: The point is not relevant to the amendments in group one so is not up for discussion at this stage.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: Section 7, subsection 11A(1) of the Bill as passed by the Seanad entitles employees time off to attend obligatory pre-adoption classes and meetings in accordance with regulations made by the Minister under subsection 11A (3). During the Bill's passage through the Dáil it became apparent that subsection 11A(3)(a) could be open to an interpretation contradictory to subsection 11A (1) to the...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: Amendment No. 7 amends subsection 9(2)(d) of the Bill on the date of commencement of proposed leave. This amendment was initially proposed by Senator Tuffy but was not accepted. However, an identical amendment was proposed by Deputy Moynihan-Cronin and, on reflection, I was happy to accept it at that point. The Bill as passed by the Seanad provides that postponed leave must be taken as one...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: Amendment No. 8 simplifies the text of section 11 of the Bill. The wording of the Bill passed by the Seanad, which was modelled on the 2001 order, could have given rise to confusion about employees' entitlements in the exceptional circumstance where the placement of a child terminates earlier than 16 weeks. This amendment replaces the text with a more simple and straightforward construction...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: Amendments Nos. 9, 10 and 11 are technical amendments required to correct a cross-referencing error in the text of section 12 of the Bill.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill Amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Oct 2005)

Frank Fahey: I thank the Senators for the contributions they have made to the Bill and the constructive approach that was taken. It was not possible to accept a number of amendments that were proposed. With regard to Senator Terry's proposal today, the Bill does not allow for paid time off for overseas meetings in the case of foreign adoptions. This was strongly rejected by employers because of cost, and...

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed). (15 Nov 2005)

Frank Fahey: On behalf of the Minister I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this debate on the Bill. Their detailed interest in its provisions reflects its importance and the Minister looks forward to a continuing and constructive input from them during the forthcoming Committee Stage debate. While the Minister is open to any suggestions which may be tabled with the intention of improving the Bill,...

Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee. (15 Nov 2005)

Frank Fahey: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements. (1 Dec 2005)

Frank Fahey: They are moving as fast as objectors will allow them.