Results 1,121-1,140 of 5,120 for speaker:Danny Healy-Rae

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: It is a fact that this Bill and the other Bill the Minister, Deputy Ross, has insisted on as his price for supporting the Government have held up the business of the country for the past number of months and are continuing to do so. There will be no account of the Minister, Deputy Ross, when this Bill is found to be wrong in the fullness of time but the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, is bringing...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: It could be used to improve Tralee courthouse, which the Minister visited last week, by doing the necessary work we have been waiting on for so many years.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I appeal to the Minister to drop this Bill because the blame will be laid at his foot and does he know who could be writing about it in a few years time? It will be the Minister, Deputy Ross, because that is what he has been doing for the past number of years and it would not surprise me if that is what he will be at in a very short time again.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: We are very grateful.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: No. You are grand.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: Put it to a vote.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I am glad to have the opportunity to talk about this serious matter. The way things are going, we should not be talking at all. This Bill is about appointing people with knowledge to select judges, on whom we rely to mete out justice and give people a fair and balanced hearing. The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board comprises the Chief Justice, who is the chairman, the President of the...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: Yes, but this is about changing the system we have and purporting that what is being brought forward is better than it. The person appointed is supposed to have knowledge or experience of the operation of the courts. Who could have more knowledge than a judge or solicitor? Section 12 refers to the provision of supports to persons who are victims of crime or to users of the services...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: When we look at the directions given for the appointment of this commission, the first one is board management. That has been dealt with. It refers to "his or her having such experience, qualifications, training or expertise as is appropriate having regard to the functions of the Commission". How many years of experience is required? Is it open-ended? Is it one, two, five or 20 years?...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: What training is required? Will they have had to have done one round of the field, five rounds of the field or 20 rounds of the field? What training is the Minister talking about? It is not spelt out anywhere here. It is not listed anywhere. What expertise is being referred to?

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I refer to desirability. Is it a requirement that they must have experience in the operation of the courts? Will they be people who were before the court for crimes or offences?

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: How many times must they have been in the court? What is the Minister talking about? There are no specific requirements or standards-----

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I am sorry but these things are very serious and it is just open-ended. It is a laugh. I ask the Minister again to withdraw the Bill at this late stage and go back to the drawing board. Like the man on the television the other night, go back to school again.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I am sorry. The Minister never explained-----

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: -----what he means by suitability, experience or qualifications.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: He never gave us an answer to that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I welcome the witnesses. I must concur with Senator Murnane-O'Connor who raised the HAP cap. The cap has been set at €575 in County Kerry. People can appeal and, if lucky, the threshold will be raised by 20%. However, rents around Killarney have increased to €1,000, €1,200 or €1,500 and €2,000 and the HAP payment in no way meets the needs of many people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: Give me just a minute and I will finish, as it has-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists: Discussion (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: The scheme has a bearing on this issue. Funding from purchases accrued to the local authority, which allowed the authority to do up vacant houses, or voids as they are called. However, that is not happening now as it used to previously, which is having an adverse effect on the housing list. I thank the Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Ceol in Éirinn: Plé (23 May 2018)

Danny Healy-Rae: I welcome all the people who gave us such a wonderful presentation, especially Mr. Ó Murchú, whom I have known for many years and who was a great friend of my father. They did many great things together. I am proud that my father was, as Mr. Ó Murchú said, chairman of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Kerry for five years. I am proud that we had seven...