Results 1,661-1,680 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: In terms of the amendments, "The Minister may authorise in writing such and so many persons as he or she considers appropriate to perform the functions conferred on international protection officers by or under this Act". These people can only be civil servants.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am working off the list of amendments. The central point is that section 73(1) provides, "The Minister may authorise in writing such and so many persons as he or she considers appropriate to perform the functions conferred on an international protection officer". The Minister cannot authorise just anyone to fulfil this role. This is implicit. No Minister in any circumstance can...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: There will be people who will make the decision. There will be people who will assist the individual in terms of the operation of the office but the international protection officer who makes the decision will be authorised by the Minister and that person must be a civil servant.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: These are Government amendments-----

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: We are dealing with a group of amendments relating to the functions of the international protection officer. The issue arising relates to the outsourcing or privatisation of this service. What I am trying to outline to the Deputies opposite is that implicit in the Bill is that such individuals will be civil servants, as appointed by the Minister and the Minister cannot do otherwise. That...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 4:In page 8, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following:“ “DNA profile” has the meaning it has in section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014;”.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 5:In page 9, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following:““international protection officer” means a person who is authorised under section 73 to perform the functions conferred on an international protection officer by or under this Act;”.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As with all other amendments, I appreciate the attempt being made to improve the Bill and safeguard the best interests of those who are seeking protection in Ireland, particularly children. Before we entered into this process, the term "best interests of the child" was mentioned three times in the Bill. If we conclude today's proceedings successfully, the term will be mentioned in the Bill...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: We have to keep in line with international terminology and EU directives. I repeat that the term is not defined in EU directives and our legislation has to keep in line with such EU directives. I appreciate that the Deputy is attempting to improve the Bill in the best interests of children. Following our deliberations, the best interest of the child will be implicit and explicit throughout...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I appreciate what the Deputy is saying. We all want to be in a position to support a single procedure mechanism. I have no difficulty with taking soundings from NGOs and am aware of their concerns. However, the Government is entitled to disagree. Our amendments and the advice we have received from the Attorney General and officials must also be considered. A number of voices must be...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 8: In page 11, to delete lines 5 to 26 and substitute the following: “(2) A person shall cease to be an applicant on the date on which— (a) subject to subsection (3), the Minister refuses— (i) under subsection (2)or (3)of section 46to give the person a refugee declaration, or (ii) under section 46(5)both to give a refugee declaration and to...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: We are dealing with two separate issues if we are talking about the Bill and the direct provision system. Approximately half of the people here seeking asylum are in direct provision and half are not. There are approximately 4,500 people in direct provision and a similar number are not. Members know the working group was established 18 months ago and it reported earlier this year. A...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Deputy for his contribution. There were three references to the best interests of the child in the first draft of the Bill but because of amendments such as this, on the passage of the Bill, there will be at least seven references. I do not accept the Deputy's amendment and I will outline the reasons shortly. The Bill will be better as a result of the contributions from across...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 11: In page 12, to delete lines 20 to 23. This is a technical amendment. The advice of Parliamentary Counsel in the Attorney General's office is that this subsection is not required.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: No, that is not the intent of amendment No. 11. That amendment was tabled on the advice of the Attorney General's office. I understand that the purpose of all of the amendments tabled to this Bill by Deputies is to improve the Bill from a humanitarian point of view. Were this legislation being debated anywhere else in Europe, the intent of a number of the amendments sought would be to not...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Minister and I are satisfied that section 5, as drafted, adequately covers the serving of documents to legal representatives, which is the motivation behind amendment No. 12.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: These amendments deal primarily with the issue of domestic violence. I will deal with the amendments one by one. I cannot agree to amendments Nos. 13 and 14. The section in the Bill is in line with the EU qualifications directive and the list contained in section 7 of the Bill is not an exhaustive or limited one. I cannot agree to amendment No. 128 which relates to permission given to...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: If someone had been offered protection under our system and the relationship breaks down with resulting separation or divorce proceedings, this does not mean someone would have to automatically leave the State. The individual could apply to change his or her residency permission under the Immigration Act. While it may appear that such protections are no longer afforded to the individual,...

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: An EU directive.

International Protection Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I have already outlined my reasons for not accepting the amendments, although I understand the intent behind them. The Deputy's suggestion that it is a waste of time to table amendments does not stand up to scrutiny. Amendment No. 74, which has yet to be voted on but has already been discussed, on the best interests of the child principle is based on an amendment tabled by an Independent...