Results 6,321-6,340 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: The Senator is being unfair to citizens. This is a citizens' assembly, and it will not stop Senator McDowell or any other Member from discussing the same issues. The assembly will be brought together. Most people would accept that the convention process worked and got results. Senator McDowell might not like it, but other people did. This is not all about him. He is being unfair. It is...

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: That is fine. The Senator was shaking her head. Everyone would agree it can be a complicated issue, so it would be unfair to impose a short time limit on the assembly's consideration of the eighth amendment, which will clearly need careful consideration. Nothing in the resolution states it cannot come back after a month. If the work is completed in a month the report will come here and...

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: The amendment is to remove all items apart from the eighth amendment.

Seanad: Citizens' Assembly: Motion (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: It does not read that way in the amendment. I understand this is what the Senator said in her speech and I accept that. To be clear, climate change was added in by a Dáil decision. The other issues were picked by the partnership arrangement. Those who wanted to form a Government came together and made decisions on a range of issues and put them in a programme for Government. This...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: The purpose of the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016 which I am commending to the House today is to enable the register of electors to be used for selecting members of the citizens’ assembly. The provisions in the Bill are along the lines of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2012 passed by the Oireachtas when arrangements were being made for the membership of the then proposed...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: Where does one go after that? I must visit Malahide and see what is happening out there. I apologise if I missed the Senator's question. I did not mean to do that. I must have been living on a different planet, as I did not hear any complaint about how people were picked for the convention, but I will check for the Senator. I would have no problem with doing that and I will revert to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I am glad to hear that a couple was picked. That proves that it worked.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: One could not have designed that to happen.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I do not know. I hope that they were on the same side and agreed everything. To me, it proves that the selection process worked and was independent. A polling company, using polling data, will be commissioned to do this work. There will be a tender process. The independent chairperson who will be appointed will oversee that. Like all polling companies do, this company's decision will be...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: Most people will accept that polling companies have expertise in selection criteria. I am sure that it will be checked. The Senator has doubts about the last process, so I will see if there is any evidence. In terms of what happened at the convention, I was not there and am sorry that I missed it, but the Senator's version of what happened and Senator Buttimer's version are completely...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I have no doubt that the assembly will work as well. Senator McDowell raised valid questions about the cost, although they were probably more pertinent to the previous discussion and should have been mentioned then as well. Some €200,000 has been set aside from the Vote of the Department of the Taoiseach this year and a further €400,000 is being allowed for next year. That is...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I am not saying that it is perfect. I agree with the Senator in that regard. We must examine the register in general, not just in respect of today's discussion, to bring it up to date and include people automatically when they become citizens. No matter what model of selection one uses, we will not satisfy everyone's concerns, but this will be independent of the Government, the chairperson...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I cannot guarantee that. The process should provide an assembly with a proper composition. I want to ensure that I am addressing all of the concerns that were raised. Have I missed anyone's questions? I believe that I have covered most of them.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: The Older and Bolder campaign. The assembly should not delay any decision. It might enhance the work. My understanding is that a very long-term view will be taken. Great work was done by the Older and Bolder campaign and its discussion but, and the Senator can correct me if I am wrong, that was generally an assembly of people of an older age. The assembly will comprise all ages. It is a...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: Okay. This should enhance it and it certainly should not delay any work or spending of money in the meantime. We are discussing a 12-month period, so I do not believe there will be a delay.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: The assembly should not delay it. If the strategy is overdue, I cannot answer for that. I will try to get it moving as it should, but the assembly should not delay it. I cannot see how it would. As to what will happen when the Ministers attend the UN, I will ask the Tánaiste to revert to the Senator. I do not know what she plans to say. She has been straightforward and frank in the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: It was discussed by the convention.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I am sorry, but I have missed-----

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: I did. I missed that question and I do not want to leave anyone's question unanswered. To be clear, there is no reason that each report that is laid before the Houses and is not affected by the reports that remain due cannot be decided upon by them. It will not have to wait on another report. There is a concern that there may be a super-referendum day, but that should not cause a delay...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages (15 Jul 2016)

Damien English: They will not be addressed by this.