Results 1,041-1,060 of 5,132 for speaker:Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I am suggesting we break the amendments into two groups ? amendments Nos. 2 to 18, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 20 and 33 to 35, inclusive.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: On a point of order, would the Acting Chairman clarify whether we are speaking on an amendment or the group?

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: As far as amendment No. 18, is it?

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: One of the major questions we have about the legislation relates to the recommendation made in 2008 by the Ombudsman regarding an extension of her powers. She was critical of the previous Bill, saying: "It is my understanding that the Bill will not extend my remit to complaints regarding decisions in relation to immigration and asylum matters. I am most concerned by this." She went on to...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I am doing so. The authors of the report claim that the sustained and prolonged restriction of human rights and civil liberties inherent in the direct provision system amount to child abuse. These are very serious allegations based on numerous complaints. The Ombudsman has said that the people who made those types of complaints, which have been catalogued by the Irish Refugee Council,...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: It talks about exemptions. I am bringing it up in the context of-----

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I was going to deal with it at the appropriate time but it came up through what was being said by-----

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I thank the Minister for his reply to my question. I do not fully buy his answer, however, because, as a member of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, I understand the Ombudsman's role as the last chance saloon for people with grievances. Such individuals are directed to pursue other avenues of redress before they approach the Office of the Ombudsman. It would be...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I appreciate what the Minister has said. However, it would be a mistake to give the Minister the space to think about it because he will need that role for the Ombudsman. For example, if the Minister for Justice and Equality sets up a redress agency for the Irish Prison Service and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, there will still be a role for the Ombudsman in overseeing...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: In fairness, the Minister said he was working closely with the Ombudsman, that she seconded a person to his Department, that he is in broad agreement with all the principles. In the Bills digest in 2008 on the Bill, that was her major point of contention. She said the Bill would not extend her remit to complaints regarding decisions on immigration and asylum matters and she was most...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I appreciate that.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I would like to come back to that issue. It is important to note that as the Minister has said, we are speaking to the amendments which refer to the exemptions. It will be noted from my contribution on Second Stage that we certainly congratulated the Minister for bringing the Bill forward and noted the extension of powers. It is important to say that as the Minister has raised the issue....

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I welcome this as it is a progressive move and something the current Ombudsman has sought. She has sought more transparent procedures for appointing ombudsmen and has argued for some kind of a confirmation hearing before an Oireachtas committee charged with monitoring and supporting the work of the office. Perhaps we should consider changing the wording from "may" be preceded by...

Seanad: Common Agricultural Policy: Motion (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur, freisin, roimh na feirmeoirí as Contae Lú atá sa Ghailearaí linn. Ionadaithe iad ó eagraíochtaí na bhfeirmeoirí. It is refreshing to hear a Minister say he will accept one of the amendments from the Opposition. He might pass on that tip to some of his colleagues because it shows there is a sense of co-operation on...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Forbairt Pobail (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Tá go leor ceisteanna le cur faoi feidhmiú an chláir Leader sa Ghaeltacht, atá á ardú agam inniu. Tá a fhios againn gur imigh Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta as feidhm in 2011. Tá go leor ceisteanna faoi sin freisin. Bhí roinnt clár faoi scáth Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, an clár forbartha tuaithe agus an clár forbartha áitiúil ina measc. Ó shin i leith, tá...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Forbairt Pobail (4 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I thank the Minister of State for his response. The outstanding issue and the main point I would like him to bring back to the Minister is that the contiguous companies being granted the contracts should not be held liable for the sins of their predecessor, MFG. As the Minister of State has said, they have not been given some of the files, so they do not know what is or is not in them. It...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis na feirmeoirí ar fad atá taobh amuigh de gheataí Teach Laighean. Is mór an méid é a fheiceáil go bhfuil muintir na hÉireann agus muintir na tuaithe - nó beithíoch - sásta dul amach ar na sráideanna ar son na rudaí atá siad ag seasamh in aghaidh. I noted there are many Greeks on the streets today to celebrate the visit of Ms Angela Merkel to their...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: That is not what the Senator said last year before the budget.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Did the Government not promise to reverse the criminal sanctions?

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Oct 2012)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: It would not be so bad if we did not pay the unguaranteed bondholders.