Results 821-840 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: On the point of access to the site, which was raised by Deputy Burton, the existing road has been deemed adequate following a traffic survey by professional consultants. However, following an approach by local residents, the Irish Prison Service is examining the purchase of a small portion of land to provide an alternative route. Nothing has been finalised at this point. Deputy Cuffe raised...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: ——the fines system in our courts. The operation of the first part of the strategy will determine how the other issues will be approached in a second Bill. There are a wide range of issues to be resolved with the courts and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Nevertheless, it is clear that the provisions in the Fines Bill should reduce the number of persons imprisoned for...

Prisons Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (14 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence 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: Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I commend Senators Henry and O'Toole, supported by Senator Quinn, on their initiative in presenting the Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2007. The Government accepts the principle of the Bill which addresses the important and sensitive topic of legal capacity for adults with intellectual disabilities. In common with Senators Henry, O'Toole and Quinn, the Government recognises the need...

Seanad: Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2007: Second Stage (21 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I did not realise Senator Henry was not planning to stand for election again. In that case I join the other Senators in saying what a wonderful job she has done here. She is one of the kindest and best people. As a gesture, if she is not going to be back here, I am prepared to accept the second reading of the Bill.

Domestic Violence: Motion (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "affirms that domestic violence is a heinous crime and cruel wrong that affects the safety and welfare of vulnerable persons in the home, including children; agrees that the National Crime Council in 2005 reported that 15%, about 1 in 7, of women had experienced violence; acknowledges the...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: Now it is in the back of the car.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: God be with us.

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I will respond on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dempsey, and I thank Members for their contributions. I welcome the opportunity to comment on the various observations made on the provisions of this important Bill. The Bill is necessary, as Deputies have said, to ensure that the independent regulator, ComReg, has the tools required to ensure...

Communications Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: A recent report confirmed that service to the area, which is supplied by Eircom, is not adequate. ComReg has encouraged Eircom to provide a solution which will satisfy the needs of the local population. Eircom has an obligation to provide basic telephony services and functional Internet access to all consumers. ComReg is in the process of formally assessing whether the current telephony...

Youth Diversion Projects. (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I thank Deputy Michael D. Higgins for raising this issue on the Adjournment. Garda youth diversion projects are a vital and integral part of our youth justice system and operate as community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives. They seek to divert young people from becoming involved, or further involved, in anti-social or criminal behaviour. The projects provide activities to...

Youth Diversion Projects. (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: The activities of the project were overseen by a committee comprising representatives of the employing organisation, the Garda Síochána, Galway City Council, local clergy and the local VEC. The individual to whom the Deputy refers was employed by the voluntary organisation as project co-ordinator. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was informed by the Garda authorities that...

Youth Diversion Projects. (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: The Minister further understands that, following the termination of the project, the former project co-ordinator raised the amount of the redundancy sum paid to him by the employing organisation with the Labour Relations Commission and the matter was heard by the rights commissioner in February 2006. It is important to point out that the Minister, the Department and the Garda authorities...

Youth Diversion Projects. (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: Upon becoming aware of this determination, a copy of it was sought and was received in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in late June 2006. That determination recommended that the former project co-ordinator receive a redundancy payment above the statutory redundancy payment he received from the employing agency. The recommendation clearly stated that this payment should be...

Youth Diversion Projects. (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: The value of these projects to the participants and the local community is without question. The Minister has recently received the recommendation of the Garda Commissioner about the need for a new project in the area. The Minister, in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner, will consider the establishment of an alternative project in the Galway area as part of the next phase of expansion...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second and Subsequent Stages (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: A fundamental bedrock of any democratic system of government is access to the courts, which are ultimately responsible for the vindication of people's rights. That is why this Government has made resourcing and reforming the courts system a major priority. We have only to consider the great progress made on the ongoing refurbishment of courthouses around the country to realise no one can...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers (Amendment) Bill 2007: Second and Subsequent Stages (27 Feb 2007)

Frank Fahey: I thank all the Senators who contributed to the debate. I will clarify some of the issues raised. Senator Cummins referred to the lack of sentencing guidelines and training. The Minister already referred to the new sentencing information system being introduced by the Courts Service. In addition, the Judicial Studies Institute makes a valuable contribution to judicial training. The...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Mar 2007)

Frank Fahey: I expected a long contribution from Senator Norris.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Mar 2007)

Frank Fahey: The reputations of Senator Jim Walsh and Senator Norris precede them on this issue. I propose to deal with amendments Nos. 10 and 11 together. The amendments proposed by Senator Norris do not provide for any additional clarification of the provision. I am advised by the Parliamentary Counsel that the proposed wording would not be normal in drafting legislation and might have the effect of...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) (6 Mar 2007)

Frank Fahey: I propose to deal with amendments Nos. 12 and 14 together. Amendment No. 13 is a technical amendment. Senator Cummins's amendment No. 12 would radically alter the purpose of the proposed new defence of fair and reasonable publication. Section 24(1) provides for the defendant in a defamation action to prove that the statement in respect of which the action is brought was published in good...