Results 1,061-1,080 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: The purpose of the two Government amendments Nos. 20 and 23 is to remove the upper age limit for eligibility to be called and serve on a jury and, as a consequence, to remove the upper age limit for excusability as of right. Currently, section 6 of the 1976 Act provides that "every citizen aged 18 years or upwards and under the age of 70 years who is entered in a register of Dáil electors"...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Senator for withdrawing his amendment because, in substance, we are addressing all of his concerns, in particular the issue around infirmity. I apologise to the House that I cannot particularly comment on the issue as regards the deaf person who is taking an action in respect of ineligibility to serve as a juror. That matter is before the courts and, as such, it would be...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: These are technical drafting amendments. The first remedies an omission and the second ensures there is a proper new title in both Irish and English for the officeholder in question, at present known as "the Film Censor".

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: This is a drafting amendment.

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: The proposed amendment to section 29 has been the subject of discussion in this House and in the Dáil, as well as correspondence between FLAC and the Department. The Department has clarified for FLAC that the motivation behind this amendment is simply to put beyond doubt concerns which the board had regarding its power to waive or reduce the contribution payable by one of its clients in...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I reassure Senators Alex White and Eugene Regan that the view taken initially by FLAC on the thinking behind the section has changed following explanatory discussions with the body and officials who were present in the Chamber. FLAC is now much happier with the provision and has changed its view substantially. The issue of discretion is no longer of concern and both Senators can be...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (27 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: This amendment is to clarify that the proposed change to the Civil Legal Aid Act being brought about by section 68 is intended to apply only in respect of the Legal Aid Board solicitors and not in respect of solicitors for any other party.

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Senator Cassidy for his kind remarks. He sometimes has marathon battles with an unmentionable relative of mine but I assure him I do not harbour similar thoughts to hers with regard to the Senator. I know the Senator from the life I led before entering politics, during which he was very helpful and positive to me, which was most welcome. I wish to speak on the resolution placed on...

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: There was also some concerns expressed about certain emergency exits being used by service and delivery vehicles and this is also addressed in the draft resolution by ensuring that the emergency exits will never be used for deliveries or service vehicles. Several people living in the immediate proximity of the prison are personally affected and alterations are also proposed in the resolution...

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I do not wish to interrupt the Senator's flow but if he has any good suggestions from local residents on a name, we would be delighted to hear them.

Seanad: Prison Building Programme: Motion. (29 May 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I can clarify that now. There are to be 1,400 prisoners but we are providing for additional capacity to accommodate up to 2,200, which would be achieved by dividing rooms in half. We have over-provided regarding the size of individual cells. It is only for an unforecasted increase in prisoner numbers that the additional capacity would be utilised. It is not axiomatic that there will be...

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (4 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: The resource pack referred to by the Deputy appears to be a useful example of how diversity issues can be mainstreamed by State agencies and line Departments. The HSE has done extremely good work in this area. I was pleased to attend the launch earlier this year of the HSE intercultural strategy. The HSE along with other State agencies e.g. An Garda Síochaná and various sporting bodies have...

Written Answers — Integration Initiatives: Integration Initiatives (17 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 782 together. My Office does not administer any grant scheme which specifically facilitates the provision of assistance for integration media material. My Office does, however, provide a scheme of grants to small and local organisations which are active in the area of integration or befriending of migrants. Notice of these small grants were...

Written Answers — Integration Initiatives: Integration Initiatives (17 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I would refer the Deputy to my reply Question No. 458 on 20 May 2008 which sets out the information sought.

Special Educational Needs. (19 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I am pleased to have been given the opportunity by the Deputy to clarify the position regarding the matters raised by him. The National Council for Special Education was set up to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities with particular emphasis on children. The Deputy may find it helpful if I outline the background to the...

School Staffing. (19 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am glad to have the opportunity to outline the Department's commitment to the provision of teaching resources to primary schools and the position on the schools to which the Deputy referred. The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year. The...

Languages Programme. (19 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House my Department's position regarding the mainstreaming of the English language tuition service for adult refugees which has to date been provided by Integrate Ireland Language and Training Ltd. IILT is a non-profit campus company of Trinity College Dublin which was established in 2001 to co-ordinate language training for...

Languages Programme. (19 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: A further advantage of mainstreaming such provision through this sector is the fact that the VECs have a nationwide network that can readily provide classes across the country using their facilities in schools and centres. The learning and support materials already developed by IILT will transfer to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment which will ensure that they continue to be...

Languages Programme. (19 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: IILT, which is a limited company registered under the Companies Acts, will commence the process of voluntary liquidation and will cease operations on 31 July. As part of this process, the staff members will receive their statutory redundancy entitlements.

Languages Programme. (19 Jun 2008)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and point out that this decision to put language provision on a sustainable long-term footing is both timely and appropriate and fully consistent with the overall approach as set out in Migration Nation, the document I published some weeks ago. Delivery of these services is being mainstreamed and there is no loss of funding for such services whatsoever.