Results 1,541-1,560 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We are speaking to a group of amendments. As far as they go, the amendments are relatively sound and reflect they fact that on Committee Stage there was a general consensus on the direction in which the Bill would move. It is my analysis, while one would never think it, that Fianna Fáil has essentially conceded the principle of much of this argument. The comments of the Attorney...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 3:In page 9, to delete lines 30 to 34, and in page 10, to delete lines 1 to 6 and substitute the following:“7. (1) No person shall be recommended, under this Act, for appointment to judicial office unless they are of sufficient merit to discharge with distinction the responsibilities of the office to which they are appointed (the “Merit Principle”)....

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Unfortunately, I did not expect this amendment to be dealt with at this point. Deputy O'Callaghan has mischaracterised the amendment, which contains several qualifications. Section 7(2)(a) addresses the objective that the membership of the Judiciary should comprise equal numbers of men and women and 7(2)(b) provides that the membership of the Judiciary should reflect the diversity within...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will observe future Bills for Fianna Fáil amendments as a measure of the party's level of interest. I do not know whether that is a very good criterion to use. With only two minutes speaking time I am not sure I will have time to respond to that point but I might get to it. I am conflicted over the amendment. I accept the point made by Deputy O'Callaghan. It is an oversight that...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: It was a change of lines. I would like to see both measures included. There is still the Seanad in terms of effecting change. That said, the Government has to a large extent accepted paragraph (c). I will consider the issue further. I would like to see the Irish language proficiency retained but I also think the reference to diversity is important. I wish to emphasise that this is not a...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: In that context my amendment is likely to be defeated so I will table a slightly adjusted version for the Seanad debate. In the interim, I would like the Minister to consider the matter because I think there is a consensus as to the principle contained in the amendment, whatever about the actual vehicle.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (17 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will withdraw it.

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I cannot support amendment No. 6 from Deputy O'Callaghan because it will pave the way for a non-lay majority. I have made that clear to Deputy O'Callaghan previously. I also believe it is too prescriptive in terms of the organisations that can be representative. The need for those lay people to be more representative was discussed at length at Committee Stage. We should try to be more...

Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I wish to address some of the points that have been raised by other Deputies. We start from a position of having supported this Bill on Second Stage and Committee Stage. Others did not. Fianna Fáil, for example, did not support it for its own reasons. We have always believed that it is necessary to improve the manner in which judicial appointments are made, to take them out of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Postal Voting (22 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 594. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the circumstances under which it is possible to obtain a postal vote for elections and referenda. [22199/18]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Postal Voting (22 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 595. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration has been given to broadening the rights to have a postal vote and amending the circumstances in which a postal vote is available. [22200/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered the updating of Garda information and technology systems with the specific aim of tackling child abuse online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22725/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This morning, representatives of the Garda Inspectorate appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. One of the key points raised in the discussion was a review of recommendations made in a 2012 report dealing with the approach of An Garda Síochána to child sexual abuse cases. The review found that only half the actions the Garda Inspectorate required the Garda to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am keen to identify some of the issues highlighted in the review. Six items have not been not implemented at all, six have been partially implemented and four have not been satisfactorily addressed. The Garda Inspectorate has said this is disappointing and has had a negative impact on the services currently delivered to victims. A total of 66% of all sex crimes reported to the Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Information and Communications Technology (23 May 2018)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Minister referred to the information technology aspect of this and obviously that is relevant. However, addressing this also involves resources of time and ability. Again, I make the point that technology is available but it is not being activated because the resources do not exist. Mr. Toland appeared before the committee this morning. He welcomed the protected services bureau...

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Unlike the recent Fianna Fáil speakers, I agree with Deputy O'Callaghan that the only sensible way forward procedurally is to proceed as the Ceann Comhairle has outlined. The Deputy's colleagues may not agree with him but I think that is the sensible approach. What happened last night was unfortunate. It was a combination of the sequencing of the amendments and then an amendment being...

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, it is important.

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: If any Deputy thinks about it seriously, it is quite frequent for Ministers to pass through three Dáil Stages and indicate on Report Stage that they will introduce substantial amendments in the Seanad to deal with substantial policy issues. That is not unusual. It is not even remotely unusual.

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Seanad is being asked to resolve a complication between two amendments that is essentially mathematical. I know many Deputies do not have much respect for the Seanad, but-----

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

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: -----I am sure it is well within the gift of the Seanad-----