Results 621-640 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes. (7 Dec 2005)

Frank Fahey: I thank Senator Ulick Burke for tabling the motion in respect of Kinvara sewerage scheme. I agree with everything he said. I was involved in the establishment of the Kinvara water scheme a number of years ago. At the time, we thought it would be possible to establish a sewerage scheme. The provision of modern environmental infrastructure to remove threats to the environment has been a major...

Seanad: Crime Levels. (7 Dec 2005)

Frank Fahey: I thank the Senator for raising difficulties in the areas of east Galway he has mentioned tonight. Unfortunately, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, cannot be here but I share the Senator's concerns about the recent raids and attempted break-ins in several towns and villages in east Galway in recent months. Before commenting on the particular issue identified by the Senator it...

Seanad: Arts Funding. (7 Dec 2005)

Frank Fahey: The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, asked me to take this Adjournment matter and wishes to thank theSenator for raising the issue. He is familiar with the tremendously positive impact that marching bands have on their communities. Unfortunately, he does not have the means at his disposal to provide them with funding. The national lottery-funded sports capital...

Human Rights Issues. (2 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: While the report entitled Equivalence in Promoting Equality was jointly commissioned by the Equality Authority and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, it was written by Mr. Colm O'Cinneide of the University of London and, as stated on page 5, the views expressed therein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the authority or commission. The report, which...

Human Rights Issues. (2 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am tempted to say many things in response to the pronouncement of Deputy Ó Snodaigh but they are better left unsaid. I do not accept that there are any significant shortfalls in equality legislation in this part of the island in comparison to Northern Ireland. I reject completely the proposition made by Deputy Ó Snodaigh. We have in place effective and established protections which...

Human Rights Issues. (2 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: I do not accept that under the Good Friday Agreement the Oireachtas is obliged to copy every legislative innovation with a human rights dimension that has been or could conceivably be introduced at some stage in Northern Ireland, which is essentially what Deputy Ó Snodaigh asks.

Human Rights Issues. (2 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: We have a body of constitutional law, statutory provisions and administrative measures. That demonstrates the commitment of the Government to implement and progress a first-class policy on equality. The views expressed are the personal views of Mr. Colm O'Cinneide. I do not accept there is any necessity for this jurisdiction to accept the perceived shortfalls to which Deputy Ó Snodaigh refers.

Sports Capital Programme. (9 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am pleased to take this opportunity to set out the background to this matter and outline the current state of play in relation to the proposed stadium in Tallaght. I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Following the development of proposals by Shamrock Rovers Football Club to develop a soccer stadium in Tallaght and with the recommendation of the FAI, the...

Sports Capital Programme. (9 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: Deputy O'Connor should be complimented on his positive approach. Hopefully, the issue can be resolved and we can proceed.

Hospital Services. (9 Feb 2006)

Frank Fahey: I welcome this opportunity to update the House on matters relating to the difficult issue of violence against women and in particular in respect of the care for and treatment of the victims of sexual assault. Violence against women originally emerged as a major public issue in the consultation process in the Department of Health's policy document on women's health in 1996. This led to the...

Postal Services. (9 Mar 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am responding in this debate on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. The future development of An Post is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. The Government is fully committed to An Post remaining a strong player in the Irish postal market but the market will change over the coming years. The...

European Enforcement Order. (9 Mar 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. On his behalf, I take the opportunity to outline the main features of the instrument which has been referred to by Deputy Gilmore. It should become apparent that the instrument has a particular and laudable purpose and it is regrettable if that purpose is being misused. However, if...

Asylum Support Services. (9 Mar 2006)

Frank Fahey: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers and currently has a portfolio of 65 centres across the State for this purpose. To address the reduction in numbers and the change in profile of asylum seekers, the RIA embarked on a programme of downsizing its accommodation portfolio. The...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: As both Deputies have said, the proposed amendment seeks to increase the duration of parental leave by a further four weeks to 18 weeks. In its review of the Parental Leave Act 1998, the review group considered proposals made by ICTU and the Equality Authority to increase the duration of parental leave. The proposals were considered bearing in mind the recent extension of maternity and...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I agree with the Deputy. Nobody knows where we will all be in 12 months time and therefore it would be impossible to give any guarantee. I take the point made by both Deputies. The basic problem is that the drafting process and the legislative process in general are so slow that this legislation could have and probably should have been put through the House some considerable time ago. While...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: The provisions in amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are contrary to the agreement that was reached by the social partners during the negotiations on Sustaining Progress. Therefore, as I have said, I cannot consider the amendments, unfortunately. Amendment No. 6 proposes to add a new element to the Bill by extending to three years the period of time available to the adopting parents of a child who is...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I said on Committee Stage that I would be willing to reconsider this amendment on Report Stage. I note the Deputy has made the textual amendments required and I can now accept this amendment.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am not at all sure a prescriptive amendment like this would do anything for flexibility. The spirit of the section containing this provision is one of co-operation between employer and employee so that where it suits both the employer and the employee, they may agree together that parental leave may be taken in whatever fashion they jointly decide. This amendment ignores the day-to-day...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I have had no case from the trade union movement on this amendment.