Results 9,201-9,220 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Seanad: International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: The Houses of the Oireachtas passed the International Protection Act 2015 which included changes to the family reunification provisions. I am aware that some Senators have said that they did not support all elements of the Bill at that time. However, it was passed. The 2015 Act brings Ireland closer into line with the provisions under the EU Family Reunification Directive while retaining...

Seanad: International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: As Senators alluded to earlier, we are working as hard as we can to improve direct provision. I have yet to see an alternative which will work and which will ensure that a person who comes to Dublin today and looks for asylum will be guaranteed a bed, food, heat, safety and comfort tonight. As Senators know, the system is under ferocious pressure. We are running low on numbers. If...

Seanad: International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: The Government opposes this amendment. Under current administrative arrangements a sponsor can bring new information to the Minister's attention, which would be considered under and expedited process as part of a new application for family reunification by the sponsor. I wish to be clear that under current administrative arrangements a sponsor can bring new information to the Minister's...

Seanad: International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: The Cathaoirleach will not be surprised to learn that the Government opposes this amendment based on the Government's opposition to the Bill as a whole.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: Having listened to speakers this afternoon, on behalf of the Minister for Health I am left in no doubt that this is clearly a very important matter for Deputies and many members of the public as well. I thank Deputies for the work that has gone into this and for taking part in today's debate. We must all remember that the fundamental issue we are discussing is whether the Bill will progress...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (9 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, computer literacy is not a protected ground of discrimination under the Equality Acts. Accordingly, I have no ministerial responsibility in relation to this issue.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: The on-going implementation of the McMahon Report recommendations in relation to the facilities in State provided accommodation is contributing to greater privacy and autonomy for all residents, including young women and girls.  To date, improved facilities have been or are being implemented in Ballyhaunis and Mosney (full independent living and food hall), Milstreet (independent...

Seanad: Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (9 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: I thank Senators for their patience on Tuesday, 24 October last, when the Seanad was only able to take Committee Stage and was unable to take Report and Final Stages. The background is that since the Bill was initiated by the Tánaiste in July last, the name of the Department was changed from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the Department of Business, Enterprise and...

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: For the second time in less than a week, I find myself in this Chamber involved in a good and important debate. I congratulate Deputy Ó Laoghaire on bringing it forward but the House is doing the Deputy a disservice because there was no pre-legislative scrutiny of this set of important proposals. It will be debated in two hours - I have ten minutes - and the committee will do...

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: No. I am sorry but I have listened to everybody so far. It would be far more valuable if that process had happened. However, it has not. I am on the Sub-committee on Dáil Reform where I have made the point again and again that good ideas like those suggested in the Bill need to be dealt with properly. We are not doing that, however. Instead, we are doing the Bill a disservice. The...

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: I apologise if I misheard the Deputy. However, it is important we refer to the constitutionality of legislation and the risks associated. Once we contemplate reforms that relate to the administration of justice within the courts system, we have to be extra vigilant. It may well be that the Law Reform Commission's vision of a rules of court approach to the reform of the multi-party...

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: That is not so.

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: That is not correct.

Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017: Second Stage (14 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: That is not the case.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gender Equality (16 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to promote wage transparency by requiring companies of 50 or more employees to complete a wage survey.  Reflecting this, the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 contains an action to promote wage transparency by requiring companies of 50 or more employees to complete a wage survey periodically and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (16 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department offers accommodation and related services to those in the International Protection process. At the end of October 2017, RIA was accommodating over 4,800 persons and the effective vacancy rate was just over 2% of its overall capacity.  The focus of RIA at the present time is to offer these vacancies (while managing its...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Court Procedures (16 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter in the House today on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, who, unfortunately, cannot be here today. Perjury, as the Senator has pointed out, is already established as a common law offence in Ireland and there have been prosecutions of this offence. There are specific offences which have been created...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Court Procedures (16 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to show the attention it is already receiving. I listened carefully to what the Senator has said and will convey it to the Minister for Justice and Equality, asking him to take note of what the Senator has said. It is a very important issue. As outlined, there is already a common law offence of perjury which can be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (22 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: My Department provided funding to the organisation in question as outlined in the table.  (For part of 2011, this function was within the remit of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.)  This funding was mostly used for core costs. Year Amount 2011 €528,000 2012 €350,000 2013 €300,000 2014 €350,000 2015...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (22 Nov 2017)

David Stanton: I have no responsibility in relation to the actions of local authorities. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have sought the relevant information from the Local Government Management Agency. A survey was undertaken of the 31 local authorities and 10 have confirmed that their migrant integration strategies have been published. 19 local authorities do not...