Results 17,101-17,120 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: However, I notice that the text used in the amendment is an early draft in which we spotted a mistake, that being the inclusion of the words "following consultation with the Commission". That error was subsequently corrected. The "Commission" is the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC. The definition is taken from its Act and the IHREC does not need to be referred to here....

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I wish to challenge some of the views presented. There is no difference between us in the context of recognising Irish Sign Language. The slight divergence is on how we are to get there. I support the principle of the issue. I did not withdraw the amendments. I say to Senator Mark Daly that the Bills Office does its own job and there was no Government or ministerial involvement with that...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I would like to address the issue of political cynicism. I am disappointed by Senator Mark Daly. I wanted to introduce this amendment and to achieve consensus. I wanted a wording that we all could agree. Personally, I think-----

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Could I make my point?

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: It is shameful that the Bill is being progressed in this way by Senator Mark Daly. I am disappointed and annoyed that he is making a party political issue out of it. Do not ever judge me on my support for the rights of all people with disabilities, including the deaf community. I will stand with them, but I am trying to get a Bill through the House and deliver on it. Regardless of what...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Senator Mullen asked what were the issues on which I wanted consensus. For reasons that I have outlined, I wanted to hammer out agreement on a number of issues - the establishment of a scheme to provide for ISL classes, the provision by the State of an annual number of hours of interpretation services, the drafting by all public bodies of individual ISL action plans every three years, the...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I did not circulate the amendments because I was attempting to be respectful, get consensus and have agreement. Amendment No. 5 deals with one of the three key elements of the Bill, that I consider needed to be retained, as I said earlier. It ensures the important recognition by the State of Irish Sign Language. The amendment states that a person may use Irish Sign Language in, or in any...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Amendment No. 7 proposes to insert a new section that relates to the use of Irish Sign Language in legal proceedings. There is a reference to a presiding officer in this provision. It is not clear who this is in relation to in legal proceedings. Subject to legal advice, this provision does not appear to be necessary. Subsections (1) to (4) are enough to put the right person to use Irish...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Section 6 is one of the sections that I propose to be deleted. My opening statement applies to this. I note that amendment No. 7 refers to the wrong Minister. The reference should be to the Minister for Education and Skills. I may, but only if we are able to achieve consensus and not otherwise, look at this section again on Report Stage. I have indicated to the deaf community...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Apologies, I did mean it that way.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: This does not need to be in legislation. I am waiting to find out how such a scheme might operate and how much it might cost.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I think the section can be deleted. The issue is how we provide funding and operate such a scheme. My opening statement applies. The word that I have been trying to use all day, is reaching a consensus. I will look again at this section on Report Stage. Amendment No. 9 seems unnecessary. I am not clear how it adds anything to what is already in the section, which as I have said can be...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Does Senator Daly wish to comment?

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: We have a bit of consensus, Senator Daly.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Yes.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Amendment No. 10 would have been identical to what the Government intends with the one exception - the use of the word "required". The standard in my amendment would be "all that is reasonable." We cannot impose an obligation on public bodies that is impossible to fulfil. I want to see it established in law that public bodies have a duty to provide free interpretation in the circumstances...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: It is defined in amendment No. 3. That is right.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I will make a couple of quick points. I understand there is a time limit.

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: Senators Norris and Bacik have stated that the definition of a public body can be found in amendment No. 3 to section 2. The use of the phrase "all that is reasonable" to meet a duty is not a get-out clause because every decision by these organisations is reviewable by the Ombudsman as well. We need to ensure that decisions are examined. Of course, I share the concern expressed and I have...

Seanad: Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016: Committee Stage (21 Jun 2017)

Finian McGrath: I take the Senator's point. We cannot have that situation. The positive way to deal with this is to have more interpreters, highly trained and highly regulated. It is as simple as that. That is my objective.