Results 1,221-1,240 of 2,412 for speaker:Niall Ó Donnghaile

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I would commend that course of action because it probably says all that needed to be said when Mr. Garvey stated that part of the reason the office does not go to some of these places is because of road access. We are able to say, from our privileged position, that we will not go because it is tricky in the winter but people are living in these places. One of the big problems that we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: With the greatest of respect, that is a very universal statement. We have met people who do not have medical cards and have been waiting for a prolonged period. There are other examples in respect of what Mr. Tyndall has just said. I am not sure that the evidence we have heard in other presentations or on our own visits points to a situation where these sorts of things are sorted. What...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I suppose there is a difference between issues being addressed and addressed satisfactorily. That is the point I wish to nail down. Are the issues addressed satisfactorily? I now understand a wee bit of the process of the visits. Is there a way for residents to contact the Ombudsman outside of the visits? Is there a hotline or other system of contact?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: From our perspective we are trying to generate a bit more light than heat. That is why we are very keen to tease out some of the minutiae of the issue. Mr. Tyndall can tell me if it does not fall within his remit, but I am keen to get his view on people in emergency accommodation being relocated at short notice. We have heard of some instances where people staying in hotels have been put...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: That brings me back to the earlier point about how we action a response to that. When the Department's assistant secretary was before the committee a few months ago the view expressed was that one could not apply direct provision standards to emergency accommodation and "Tá brón orainn. Sin é." Regarding the legitimate call the Ombudsman has made earlier for greater...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: The other option is to build more housing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I understand. That is fair enough. I do not say that in an adversarial way; I am just saying it is another option.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Direct Provision: Discussion with Ombudsman (25 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I thank Mr. Tyndall.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Come on.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Hear, hear.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Senator Ruane got in ahead of me, but I also want to respond to Senator Craughwell's remarks.The Senator is entitled to say what he thinks. I have heard some patriarchal and patronising comment in this Chamber over the years, but I raise the Senator's contribution in particular because he lauds his previous role as a representative of a teaching union. What does he think we should be...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I accept the Chair's point but if I might clarify my own remarks, that may well be a view-----

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I appreciate the Chair's clarity and I see colleagues nodding in agreement with his assessment. While that may well be the case, the claim that this child is being exploited because she is active is an entirely different issue.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I agree that we should all follow Greta Thunberg's example. That is my point.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Ceart go leor.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: The Senator should be concerned about-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee
Integrated Education: Discussion (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: I thank the delegates for the presentation so far. It has been very informative and useful. I also commend the delegates on the nomination which is quite the achievement. I have every confidence in them. I had a brilliant visit to Lagan College when I was Lord Mayor of Belfast. I went to Malone College and a few others also. It was great. One knows as soon as one walks into a school...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee
Integrated Education: Discussion (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Yes, and I will give an example. The last thing I want to do is pit sector against sector. I am, however, talking in a frank way because it is important that a committee like this functions in that manner. I went through non-denominational education. The religious sacraments were available to people if they chose them. People from Jewish and Protestant backgrounds also attended the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee
Integrated Education: Discussion (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Yes, it does.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Business of Joint Committee
Integrated Education: Discussion (26 Sep 2019)

Niall Ó Donnghaile: Ms McNamee is correct. That was not really the case. I understand what she is saying and this is an interesting discussion. I want to return to the point made by Ms Copeland. Much of what she said in her opening presentation rang true in respect of my own experience. I was educated upstairs in the Cultúrlann before it was refurbished into the beautiful facility that it is now. We...