Results 14,401-14,420 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: When the Minister and I met recently to discuss Report Stage, I requested, among other things, biographies of those who had been appointed to the board. As I have not yet received that information, I am not privy to all of the qualifications, experience and backgrounds of those the Minister has appointed. I am only aware of some of those whose names are already familiar to me and with whom...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 16:In page 34, line 34, after "to" to insert "the Board of".On the power of the Minister to give direction to the agency, the Bill states, "Notwithstanding sections 41 and 44 and directions issued under those sections, the Minister may give an additional direction in writing to the Agency for any purpose relating to this Act and concerning—", and it goes on with...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I myself am absolutely clear about that. That is why I put forward the amendment. In accepting that situation, can the Minister clarify whether she is accepting the amendment?

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is not clear. When one looks at the definitions in the opening pages of the Bill, the first interpretation is "Agency", and it states, "means the Child and Family Agency established under section 7;". Referencing to agency, in this particular instance in terms of new directions in writing, does not specify that it is the board of the agency. It is, arguably, a small matter, but surely...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Of course, it is. Why do we not just say it?

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Yes. I cannot understand or accept this absolute refusal to amend for clarification purposes.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 17:In page 35, line 9, after "functions" to insert "and must be in accordance with section 8 and section 9".Section 47(5) states, "A direction given by the Minister under subsection (1) shall not interfere with the exercise of professional judgment in a particular case in the performance by the Agency of its functions.", and I seek to add, "and must be in accordance with...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I will be pressing amendment No. 17. I take the view that it is better to be clear and assertive in regard to specific matters - in this instance, the functions of the agency. However, I will not move amendment No. 18. I should have altered it before resubmitting it on Report Stage because the Minister's points were also made on Committee Stage.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 19:In page 41, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following:“(16) A service provider shall operate in compliance with section 9 where applicable.”.This is a straightforward amendment that deals with the arrangements for service providers. The Minister will probably respond that it is always understood and expected, but it is good to be specific. The...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: It is a well trodden path back onto my feet to say that it is entirely reasonable to expect it would be understood. Affirming the adherence to compliance with section 9, which deals with the best interests of the child, is what we seek with this series of amendments. It should be properly affirmed in the arrangements with service providers that provision of services by statutory bodies, the...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: A few months ago, we would have said that matters concerning children that have happened since that time were inconceivable. We could hardly have expected that a child would be taken from its family because of the colour of its hair or the colour of its eyes. It was inconceivable. I only instance those sad occurrences and I could go on and on about other matters. It is because the...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 20:In page 42, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:"(7) A service provider shall operate in compliance with section 9 where applicable.”.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 21:In page 43, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:“(11) A service provider shall operate in compliance with section 9 where applicable.”.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I do not oppose either of these two amendments but I welcome the Minister's reason for them, which is to provide greater clarity. I wish she had employed the same approach in the many amendments that Opposition Deputies have provided for exactly the same reason of providing greater clarity. I will not oppose the amendments.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I move amendment No. 24:In page 43, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following:“(9) A service provider shall operate in compliance with section 9 where applicable.”.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I am indicating acceptance of the Minister's amendment. As the Minister might say, it offers greater clarity on the matter.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support Deputy McConalogue's case on behalf of his colleague, Deputy Troy. This is in the context of the supervision of early years services for children. The arguments presented for amendments Nos. 27 and 28, dealing with registration, are appropriate and I urge the Minister's acceptance.

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I support the broad thrust of Deputy Robert Troy’s amendment. If constructing it myself, I might have chosen the phrase “at least annually”, which would probably better reflect the Deputy’s intent and the supportive arguments presented by Deputy Charlie McConalogue. That said, we must recognise that “from time to time” might not provide for the...

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: May I ask a brief question to the Minister about my amendment?

Child and Family Agency Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (21 Nov 2013)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: In doing so my intention is not to be controversial or to contravene Standing Orders. I refer to the appropriateness of ruling out of order the amendment in respect of after-care for children in State care. Now, almost at the conclusion of Report Stage, I take the opportunity to say I would have withdrawn my amendment if it had been allowed to stand, because I understand the Minister has...