Results 981-1,000 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Courts Service (20 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Senator again. While this specific issue falls outside my area of responsibility, I do have responsibility for gender equality. Therefore, I have a keen issue in the issue raised by the Senator. I have explained that members of the Judiciary are not employees but are officeholders and as such do not fall within the statutory employment legislation. Having said that, the issue...

Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who unfortunately cannot be present, I thank all of the Deputies who have contributed to this debate. The Minister is pleased that the Bill before us has attracted a significant degree of consensus, particularly regarding its key provisions which provide for the expansion of the remit and powers of both GSOC and the Garda Síochána...

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The National Parents Council is in favour of this reform.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Fianna Fáil gave people private sector shoe boxes under Part V.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Galway tent.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: There were many ways for developers to get around Part V because they wrote Fianna Fáil's housing plan.

Leaders' Questions (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: In Fingal.

Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Deputy Kelleher's guy went to Galway.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government on this important topic. I have made it clear before in this House that improving the system of direct provision to make it more humane is important to me personally and to the Government generally. Since I last spoke to the House on this subject on a Private Members' motion on 17 September 2014, there have been significant...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Senators for their contributions. At a time when cynicism about politics is at is height it is a great credit to this House that this issue has been raised here consistently. There is a level of understanding and agreement across the House on the importance of this issue. I feel keenly that as public representatives we have a responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: There is a belief that whatever improvements we make, whether we make the system more humane, treat people with dignity, aspire to have a system that we can be proud of, somehow flares will be set off and people will come here who would not have done otherwise. There is more movement of people across Europe now than since the end of the Second World War so naturally statistics will reflect...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The protection Bill element is a single procedure.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Yes.

Report on the Outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Motion (23 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As the House will be aware, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 was published last Monday. I acknowledge the substantial work done by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and, in particular, its Chairman, Deputy Michael McCarthy, in laying the groundwork for what has become the published Bill. Publication of the joint committee's report was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (27 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As already announced, the Government has approved drafting of a Family Leave Bill which will consolidate into one piece of legislation the current provisions regarding maternity, adoptive, parental and carer’s leave. The Deputy will also be aware that in 2013 the Government agreed not to oppose a Private Members’ Bill introduced in Seanad Éireann by Senator Mary White,...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who is unavoidably committed to ministerial obligations in Riga, I thank the Deputies for their comments on the Bill. I remind the House of the commitment given by the Taoiseach to the Magdalen women in this House in February 2013. On that day the Taoiseach apologised on behalf of the State, the Government and our...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (29 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 82A3(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees.

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Unfortunately, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is unable to be here this evening due to another commitment. I am pleased, therefore, to have this opportunity to address on her behalf the important subject of mediation. I thank the Senators for providing me with the opportunity to address this important issue. As Senators will be aware, the programme for...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am taking Second Stage on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who cannot be present. The Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014 is one of a series of measures taken by the Government, as part of a comprehensive programme of justice reform, which will substantially strengthen Garda accountability. This reform programme is being informed to a substantial extent...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. I am pleased that the Bill has attracted a significant degree of consensus, particularly in regard to its key provisions which provide for an expansion of the remit and powers of both GSOC and An Garda Síochána's Inspectorate. I am grateful to Senators for their support...