Results 1,001-1,020 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am disappointed with the Minister of State's response. I had hoped, in light of what his Government colleagues had said, that he would see that the amendment is necessary and would strengthen the legislation. The Minister of State is describing an ideal world where a person applies to an independent assessment officer, the assessment is done and everything is perfect. I genuinely hope that...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister for his response on where this point is covered in the legislation. I am examining section 8 and I believe there is a qualitative difference between the right to make an appeal and making a new application. We may be dancing on the head of a pin in respect of this matter so I will take time to consider his response. It is likely this amendment will be resubmitted on...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I very much welcome the amendments and commend the Minister of State on tabling them.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 35: In page 19, subsection (1)(a), lines 20 and 21, to delete "appointed by the Minister" and substitute "an officer of the Ombudsman appointed by the Ombudsman and accountable to him or her". I listened with interest to the Minister of State's response to Senator Terry concerning the independence of the complaints officer. His comments are relevant in the context of this...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: No problem.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is interesting that the Minister of State believes the appeals mechanism would work through the office of the Ombudsman. I invite him to go along with that.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I know that.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: In the light of what the Minister of State said, I will probably bring forward an appropriate amendment on Report Stage.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am picking up on the general remarks of the Minister of State, on his views as expressed to the DLCG. If the Minister of State holds a particular view, why not go with it? As the Minister of State, he is in charge. We are Members of the Seanad, one of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Ultimately, we in the Houses are responsible for the legislation. My understanding is the DLCG is a...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support Senator Terry's amendment. Amendment No. 37 also seeks to strengthen the rights of the applicant. The amendment suggests the insertion on page 21, subsection (12), line 13, after "appropriate", the words "and shall, where requested by the applicant,". That part of the subsection would then read: "The appeals officer may, where appropriate, and shall, where requested by the...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 38: In page 23, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following new subsection: "(24) An appeal shall lie from a decision of the Appeals Officer to the District Court for the district in which the applicant is ordinarily resident or carries on any trade, profession or business.". In light of our earlier discussion, will the Minister of State clarify whether there is a...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 40: In page 24, subsection (1), between lines 41 and 42, to insert the following new subparagraph: "(i) to implement a service statement,". This amendment relates to section 22 which deals with the enforcement of determinations, etc. The amendment seeks to insert a new subparagraph which would provide for a remedy for the enforcement of a service statement. It may seem...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I do not understand the essential point made by the Minister of State. I do not know why he cannot respond further.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Why not?

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support Senator Terry's amendment No. 41. I remind Senator Kett that the ideal conditions to which we all aspire are not being achieved under the current regime, which is quite strict. I could give many examples of buildings which are inaccessible to people with disabilities because they are not in compliance with the relevant regulations. The provisions of amendment No. 41 would be a...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support Senator Terry's remarks. While I welcome the Government's aspiration to bring building control legislation before the Oireachtas in the autumn, it should be borne in mind that there is a substantial legislative backlog at present. Some 12 Bills have been passed by the Seanad but have not yet been passed by the Dáil. This House completed its consideration of the Parental Leave...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: As this was a considerable amendment, I want to record our disappointment that it was disallowed.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 43: In page 29, to delete lines 40 to 43 and in page 30, to delete lines 1 to 5 and substitute the following new subsection: "31. (1) Each Minister of the Government,". This amendment seeks to achieve something very straightforward, namely, that all Ministers would be required to prepare sectoral plans.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I still do not understand why it would not be possible for every Department to publish a sectoral plan. A number of Departments will draft larger plans than others and the six Departments mentioned will be at the front line. The Leader stated one cannot legislate for attitudes but that is not the case. Legislation and action can change attitudes. For example, newer public transport modes such...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: There is still a long road to travel and slippage will occur. A great start might be made with a major burst of energy, for example, as a result of a major debate on legislation such as this, but if its implementation is not monitored, slippage could easily occur. Recently, the number of people with disabilities employed in the public service was published and Senator Terry has tabled an...