Results 11,461-11,480 of 17,531 for speaker:Jan O'Sullivan

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank the Deputy for his comments. I agree with him on the points he made, particularly the important point that anybody who has information should bring it forward to the relevant authorities, whether that be An Garda Síochána, Tusla or the HSE. There is an obligation on anybody who feels that children are at risk in any way and has information to suggest that children at risk...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: If there were such practices, are there people in Sinn Féin who have information as to who attended those courts, where they are now and what information is available in order to protect children? There are a great deal of questions to be asked. I think more information will be provided. The question the Deputy raised about a commission of inquiry is one that can be considered....

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: While a commission of inquiry would certainly have merit, the most urgent aspect is that information that is available is given to the authorities now because if children are at risk now, we need people who know to come forward. I agree with the Deputy that information that was available in 2009, and before and after, should be given to the appropriate authorities. I find it incredible that...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I accept there would be merit in that, but the urgency of the matter is that information that is available should be given now. I would be concerned that immediately after the "Spotlight" programme an MP representing Northern Ireland came out and rubbished the programme. Others have since made other comments, but that is an indication that there is a mindset that still does not want to...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I put it to Deputy McDonald that in the first part of her intervention, she put the onus back on the victims, people who were abused. In the second part of her contribution, she put the onus on other authorities. That is avoiding the responsibility that she and her own party have-----

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is about time the Deputy and her own party took their responsibility in this matter rather than putting it on people who were abused and providing a smokescreen in regard to a North-South intervention. I do not have a problem with that but that is not the point. The point is that there is information within the Deputy's party and with others she was associated with that must be brought...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: -----but she is trying to avoid any responsibility for herself and her party.

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: First, anybody who saw the "Spotlight" programme will have had a graphic account of the way in which kangaroo courts worked and the way in which victims were made to feel afraid to come forward with information. No doubt there is a significant amount of knowledge and information around all of that activity, of which persons who have been associated with Deputy McDonald's party have...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: Undoubtedly, there is a significant amount of information that should be given. I ask Deputy McDonald not only to ask victims to come forward but to ask anybody who was ever involved in any of this activity to come forward and give the information.

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: There is clearly little evidence of that happening. Certainly, those who have had the courage to come forward about their own experience have done a considerable service and have, I hope, given courage to others, but there is a lot that Deputy McDonald and her colleagues can do on this issue. When it comes to grandstanding, we have seen a fine example of grandstanding here today. Deputy...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I thank Deputy Tom Fleming, who has raised an important issue. The Government has appointed a Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs, Deputy Ann Phelan. She works across the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and is doing an effective job in...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: In my own area of responsibility, we have finished the roll-out of high-speed broadband to post-primary schools and are now concentrating on rolling it out fully to primary schools. We are working on a wide variety of areas relevant to rural Ireland, and Deputy Fleming has raised some other areas for consideration. I read recent media reports on the group to which he referred, and...

Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I assure Deputy Fleming that the Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, has had one-to-one conversations with me and all of my Cabinet colleagues on issues relating to rural Ireland to ensure we prioritise them within our areas of responsibility. Small rural schools would be an example of one of the issues about which I have had intensive discussions with her. On the issue of Ministers of...

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: It is proposed to take No. b11 motion re membership of committees; No. c11, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 33, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2015, back from committee; and No. 36, Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015 - Report Stage (resumed) and Final...

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: I am not sure if the Bill in question is the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was the subject of the first part of the Deputy's question.

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: That has already been published and is before the Houses. In respect of the junior cycle, which is not part of that Bill, I have had 40 hours of discussions with teaching unions. An independent chairperson whose name was proposed by the unions put forward what he considered to be fair proposals and the unions have still withdrawn from consideration. I believe we need this reform. While...

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: For the first time, I have been able to negotiate an increase in the education budget because we are building up the economy and increasing the number of people who are working and paying taxes. I will look at all areas. Schools have an obligation to provide guidance to students. The issue Deputy Martin is talking about is ring-fenced hours for specific guidance teachers, but schools...

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: We did not oppose Sinn Féin's proposals last night. A number of recommendations from the convention are under regular consideration by Government. We have indicated which proposals will be put to the people this year, and the people are well aware of the issues that will be put before them. A number of issues, including the one raised by Sinn Féin, will be considered in terms of...

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: The judicial council Bill and the criminal justice (Corruption) Bill will be taken this session. As the Deputy is aware, the Government will announce measures next month. The Taoiseach answered as Gaeilge yesterday about the Government announcing measures. Deputy Penrose has made a very fine contribution to this issue in respect of the Bill he has put forward.

Order of Business (12 Mar 2015)

Jan O'Sullivan: We expect to publish that Bill this session.