Results 1,441-1,460 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Choice of Court (Hague Convention) [Seanad] Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (19 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Minister for Justice and Equality and I are appreciative of the co-operative spirit that has attended the passage of this Bill in the House. It has been noted on several occasions that this is essentially a technical Bill which will ensure we fulfil our EU obligations with the choice of court convention. It will be recalled that the convention provides a framework for upholding choice...

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (19 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (19 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the House for the support that all parties have given to this Bill. As the tragic events in Paris last week have starkly illustrated, international co-operation and mutual assistance between police authorities in member states and outside of the EU is becoming increasingly important. Criminals and terrorists do not operate within the boundaries of any international borders and it is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (19 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The proposal referred to is a follow up to a project supported by the European Integration Fund which is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. I intend to have a call for applications for national funding for measures to promote the integration of migrants and combat racism and xenophobia shortly and the proposal can be considered in that context.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Community (24 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Deputy will be aware that there is a consultation process underway led by my Department to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) has been completed, and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high-level objectives under each agreed theme) will commence shortly. The final Phase, Phase 3 (identification...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (24 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Roadmap to Ratification sets out the substantial legislative agenda required for ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The deadline of end-2016 for completion of the legislative agenda, as set out in the Roadmap to Ratification, is clear and unambiguous. As previously indicated, Minister Fitzgerald and I approved the drafting of an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions (24 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Article 27(1) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities prohibits: "...discrimination on the basis of disability with regard to all matters concerning all forms of employment, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuance of employment, career advancement and safe and healthy working conditions;”. Article 27 of the Convention is not...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (24 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363 and 405 together. Following a Court of Appeal decision on 10 March which declared unconstitutional the section of the Misuse of Drugs Act empowering the Government to declare substances to be controlled under the Act, the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 was urgently enacted to recontrol all substances which had previously been declared...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (25 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to promote policies which integrate minority ethnic groups in Ireland and which promote social inclusion, equality, diversity and the participation of immigrants in the economic, social, political and cultural life of their communities. A significant level of activity is taking place in pursuit of this commitment. The Office for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Rights (25 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Article 27(1) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities prohibits:“...discrimination on the basis of disability with regard to all matters concerning all forms of employment, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuance of employment, career advancement and safe and healthy working conditions;”. Article 27 of the Convention is not...

Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank Deputies from all sides for their valuable contributions on this Second Stage debate and for the broad support they have given to the principle of equality for all workers, particularly teachers and other workers who feel threatened by the current provision of section 37(1) of the Employment Equality Act 1998. Deputies referred to the devastating effects of discrimination and...

Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Next Wednesday.

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services Provision (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue for discussion today. Nationally, inpatient child and adolescent bed capacity has increased from 12 beds in 2007 to 58 beds at present, with 26 beds in Dublin, 12 beds in Cork and 20 beds in Galway. This represents an almost fivefold increase over eight years. I am pleased to announce that a new purpose-built 22-bed child and adolescent...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services Provision (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Deputy makes a solid case. He has acknowledged the movements and the improvements that have been made in this area, as borne out by the statistics I provided to him in my initial reply. I do not have an answer at the moment to the very direct question he has asked. I will ensure the Department makes direct contact with him and supplies him in writing with the information he has sought...

Topical Issue Debate: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank Deputy Broughan for raising this issue. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible under statute for the six designated fishery harbour centres which are located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Rossaveel and Killybegs. All six fishery centres are, first and foremost, working fishery harbours which provide essential services and facilities to...

Topical Issue Debate: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It is an important issue and I agree with many of the points the Deputy has made. On the publication of the report early next year, local Deputies and interested parties may be in a position to meet with the Minister. I will do my best to facilitate that, as it would be the best way to proceed. I will ask the Minister about the capital allocation and see if he can move the issue forward....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The basis for the current age limit is contained in Council Directive 2010/18/EU giving effect to the revised Parental Leave Framework Agreement negotiated by the European social partners in 2009. The essential point is that the upper age limit was negotiated and agreed by employers and Trade Union representatives at EU level and their agreement was then given force of law by the Directive....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Legislation (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 generally prohibits discrimination in relation to the admission policy operated by an educational establishment except where it is a primary or post-primary school operating in an environment which promotes certain religious values. In such circumstances, the establishment, under subsection 7 (3) (c), may favour the enrolment of students of a particular...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Addiction Services (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 157, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Medical Card Eligibility (26 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. She will be aware that, in accordance with the Health Act 1970, as amended, full eligibility and a medical card is awarded where a person cannot arrange GP services for himself or herself and his or her family without undue hardship, having regard to his or her financial circumstances. In the situation outlined by the Senator, it is possible for a...