Results 6,941-6,960 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I recognise that the Labour Party has had an issue with this for several years, and that it is not just a recent concern. This matter was debated at great length in 2007 in the amendment which made it permissible that implementing regulations to provide for indictable offences be carried over. The issue was decided by the Oireachtas at that time. There is no substantive change due to this....

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I fully appreciate that the Deputy has been making this point for some time. I recognise the generosity with which he has dealt with it. I fully appreciate that this is a concern within the Labour Party. I respect the fact that it has been making this point since 2007.

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: We have received strong advice to the effect that section 5(4) which clarifies the meaning of "enactment", is essential so that a reference to statutory instruments is provided for. The definition of "enactment" that is set out in the Interpretation Act 2005, rather than a general definition applicable to statutes, is being used for the purposes of this legislation. As we are keen to...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: It is important for me to reiterate the point made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he touched on this matter this morning. When one reads this fairly arcane legislative reference, it is difficult for one to understand what it means. There continues to be a policy of keeping Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions outside the provisions which are being brought into domestic...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I recognise the point the Deputy has made. I remind him that when I was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I introduced guidelines specifically to assist people encountering the type of issue he has raised.

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: Deputy Timmins and I represent a constituency that is not unlike Deputy McCormack's constituency. This is because of concerns about the environment. The best stewards of the environment are people who live in the countryside. I have always made the point that the most active supporters of the environment are the farming community in general. I agree completely with the Deputy that a...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I agree with the Deputy that this is very important but I believe the handling of the matter would best be left to the House. It really is a matter for the House but section 7 is very important because it gives very specific powers to the Oireachtas. To refer to the debate we just had, I will give a good illustration of why the House should be flexible in such matters. The Deputy may recall...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: The amendments propose the addition of the words "or enactment" after the word "instrument" in four places in the section. My advice is that it is not necessary to apply this provision to primary legislation. When the Deputy drafted his amendments he may have had statutory instruments in mind. Unlike statutory instruments, which may be linked to specific EU directives, primary legislation...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: The strong advice is that this is not necessary. Constitutional rights are constitutional rights and legislation cannot trespass on them. They are inviolable and the absence of the additional words would not allow this legislation to trespass on them.

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I see Deputy Costello's point. However, such a change would be more appropriate to consolidation legislation. There is a need, at some stage, for such legislation in this area. The collective citation used here has its roots in the principal Act, which is the European Communities Act 1972. It is felt it is not necessary to make the proposed change. There is need for consolidation...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: Not really. I am saying the citation draws its roots from the principal Act. I accept the general principle of Deputy Costello's amendment. Different terminology is used to describe this body of 27 member states. At some stage in the future we will need consolidating legislation to make sure there is homogeneity in the language used right across. I do not accept the amendment but Deputy...

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I see Deputy Costello's point. Section 8 comes into operation now. Enactment will depend on someone in another member state finding his Biro and signing the necessary document for final ratification. The Minister will then sign a commencement order.

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: Given the torture and twists and turns that we have all gone through there will not be any particular delay, but the enactment order has to be signed when the ratification process is completed. The Minister specifically referred to that in his Second Stage speech. The Deputy can take it that there will be great anxiety for an Irish Minister to do that but we do not know the day yet.

European Union Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (21 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I thank everyone in this House and everyone in this country who has engaged in the two referenda. I am somewhat mystified at comments made by Deputy Ó Snodaigh about the possibility of there being some sort of democratic deficit. The Irish people have spoken clearly. When one takes the aggregate of the "Yes" and the "No" votes in both referenda, they have spoken even more clearly. We have...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (22 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: It is an honour to introduce this Bill whose purpose is to amend the European Communities Act 1972 to give effect to the relevant provisions of the Lisbon treaty in the domestic law of the State and to provide for related matters. The provisions necessary to enable the State to meet its obligations under the treaty must be enacted into domestic law before the treaty enters into force. As the...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: When the Lisbon treaty enters into force we will be sure to have an Irish Commissioner at the Commission table. However, if the ratification process is not completed and the Nice treaty remains in force, the size of the Commission will be reduced and no country, including Ireland, will be guaranteed a place at the table. The Lisbon treaty will simplify and stabilise the Union's external...

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I draw the Senator's attention to the charter which is a wonderful expression of all the rights and is a wonderful expression of the safeguarding of citizens for a whole variety-----

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: It is very specific.

Seanad: European Union Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2009)

Dick Roche: I had anticipated that a colleague would come in to conclude the debate but I am pleased to do so. The point Senator Cummins made about recess is a valid one and is one of the issues we must work through. We now have a blank canvass on which we can explore a much more meaningful role on the part of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Alex White that we must...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (3 Nov 2009)

Dick Roche: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.