Results 1,721-1,740 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Government, I thank Senators Fiach Mac Conghail, Jillian van Turnhout, Katherine Zappone, Averil Power and Mary Ann O'Brien for tabling this Private Members' motion and for this opportunity to update the House on developments in the systems that operate in the State to offer protection and shelter to those in the asylum application process. It is important to always state in...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The issue does not become a feature of general elections nor does it become a feature of the political discourse at that difficult time for candidates. I believe that is appropriate and I hope we can hold on to that. The term direct provision describes the system whereby the State directly provides accommodation and other ancillary needs for those who apply for asylum in Ireland. When an...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank Senators for raising this issue. When the history of it is written, Seanad Éireann and those in it who have advocated for children will be acknowledged. Those in direct provision centres will be thankful for what has been said. I remind Senators that the system was set up at a time when the people who came to this country seeking protection were living in parks and sleeping on...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Motion (27 Jan 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is the intent behind the reforms we are overseeing. The tragedy of direct provision, as with other aspects of public policy that have failed, is that a short-term measure becomes a long-term solution. When given responsibility for this area, I did not just want to read reports and engage with NGOs, but wanted to see, smell and taste the centres myself. I have seen, smelt and tasted...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (2 Feb 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: “Z-drugs” refers to a group of prescription medicines (zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon) which are used to treat insomnia, and which have the potential for misuse. The supply of prescription medicines is controlled in a number of ways. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Beds Data (2 Feb 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter, it has 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (3 Feb 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Heading (22 Mar 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government published a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities in October 2015. Amongst the specific actions set out in the Strategy is the establishment of an Employer helpline. The National Disability Authority engaged with the employer umbrella groups to bring this service into being and the new national Employers Disability...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Disability Act Employment Targets (22 Mar 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: In addition to the prohibition on discrimination contained in the Employment Equality Acts (which apply to all employers), Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 obliges public bodies in so far as is practicable to take all reasonable measures to support and promote the employment of people with disabilities. There is a statutory employment target of 3% in the public service and the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (6 Apr 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The basis for the current statutory upper age limit of 8 years of age (16 in the case of a child with a disability) 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...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to address the House. I have just returned from a few days in Paris and I want to advise Members of this House that we should be very proud of the travelling supporters who are doing this country's name great service as supporters of the Republic of Ireland soccer team, and indeed supporters of the Northern Ireland soccer team, in the European...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On my second point, I stood in this House on a number of occasions as the Minister of State and what impressed me most about it was when it stood as and spoke with one voice. The House was never more powerful than on the issue of direct provision. I believe that Members of this House will know, regardless of their political background, that this House was very impressive and managed to move...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Today is Bloomsday and I note Senator Norris, a great Joycean scholar, has left the Chamber. I add my voice to that of Senator Higgins on the status of arts in Ireland, particularly with the perceived, if not real, downgrading of the arts from a department structure perspective. There is a lack of a Minister of State with responsibility for arts in the Department. Even with the Taoiseach's...

Seanad: Delivering Sustainable Full Employment: Statements (16 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I congratulate the Leas-Chathaoirleach on his elevation to his new role and congratulate the Minister on her appointment. As anybody who has run a primary school will find running a Department to be very easy indeed, I wish the Minister the best of luck. Comments have been made in the Chamber about how, statistically, we have done much better in recent years in bringing down the unemployment...

Seanad: Death of Jo Cox, MP: Expressions of Sympathy (21 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am pleased to join my colleagues, Senators Bacik, Humphreys and the entire Labour Party group in the Seanad, to express our condolences to the family of Jo Cox. I am keen to place emphasis on what she believed in, which is far more important than what the person who murdered her believed in. Jo Cox was a person who believed in the human dignity of all individuals, regardless of who they...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (23 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I welcome the Minister of State and wish her well in her endeavours. It is a positive to have a Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy with the background that she has, and also that she has no other responsibilities and that this will be her main focus. The Bill arises from the High Court case of March 2015. So we have been waiting for this legislation for...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Is the Leas-Chathaoirleach sure?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I join with Senator Ó Clochartaigh on two points. He has previously asked for a debate on the Irish language in this House and that is something we should definitely have in the coming weeks. Will the Leader arrange it? It is an important debate. I say that deliberately in English because it is a debate for all Members of this House. We should be inclusive about the discussion on...

Seanad: United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (28 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I welcome the Minister for this important debate. The vote by the British people is nothing short of an unmitigated disaster. I have not been as depressed about a political event in a considerable time. It proves that if one decides to focus one's attention on a disenfranchised or disconnected group of people and tells them anything one wishes to conjure up in one's head and point at...

Seanad: Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: There are very few issues in public policy that I feel more strongly about than this. I was in the position of the Minister of State not that long ago. In public life, it is very rare to come to the conclusion that everything we are doing is wrong. We have come to the conclusion that the issue with drugs lies with the substances and that if we just control them, everything will be fine....