Results 19,101-19,120 of 21,514 for speaker:Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Deputy was a party to the Bill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Discussion (24 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: On behalf of the committee, I thank our friends from the Equality and Rights Alliance and from IBEC. I thank them for their respective contributions and their attendance. I thank committee members for their participation. There is other business in the House and, on the screen, I see Deputy Wallace is in the Dáil. We understand why we are down to small numbers at this point. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Business of Committee (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I remind members to please switch off mobile phones as they interfere with recording equipment. I have received an apology this morning on behalf of Deputy Colm Brophy. There are no other apologies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The purpose of today's engagement is to meet the Ombudsman, Mr. Peter Tyndall, to discuss his recent report, entitled Opportunity Lost, an investigation by the Ombudsman into the administration of the Magdalen restorative justice scheme. We will then be joined by officials of the Department of Justice and Equality to discuss their response to the report. I welcome Mr. Tyndall and his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Thank you, Mr. Tyndall. I will open up the discussion to members of the committee for their contributions and questions. Deputy O'Callaghan is first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We will have an opportunity-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The format is that we have the Department representatives coming before the committee on the conclusion of the Ombudsman's contribution. I hear what the Deputy is saying. I find it difficult to believe that the Ombudsman's report and evidence could be countered in the way that the Deputy has suggested, but if that is the case, the Department representatives are in the Visitors Gallery and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Mr. Tyndall. Has Deputy Daly concluded?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The Deputy will have to wait until her colleagues have completed their questioning.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: We can do so subsequent to the presentation by the Department officials.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I think it would be unfair because we have indicated to each of our sets of witnesses the formula which we intend to utilise here today. We will take the officials on their own. Mr. Tyndall and his staff are quite welcome to be in the Visitors Gallery and, if it is committee's wish, after the conclusion of the officials' contribution to the engagement, we can invite Mr. Tyndall to resume...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I thank Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire. I wish to recap a couple of points with Mr. Tyndall before we conclude our initial engagement. The committee may offer him a right of reply on further points we may elicit from representatives of the Department. His report was published last November. Its recommendations include timeframes for expected responses from the Department, including...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Mr. Tyndall has received no response on the first recommendation made in that case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Did it also apply to the six week period given for a review of cases involving a dispute about duration of stay?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: From what I understand of my reading, through the obvious passage of time the number of women who lack capacity has decreased significantly to some 17 souls from of the order of 100 at one point. Is that the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I understand that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I noted that Mr. Tyndall indicated some reluctance in identifying the wards of court system within the Courts Service as the oversight mechanism for awards in these cases. Not only would I suggest it is a matter of helping to progress the entitlements, but I also think, subsequently, in terms of the committee's awards - and it is generally one person who has this oversight responsibility -...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: The money is already provided for.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: On behalf of the committee, I thank the Ombudsman, Mr. Tyndall, and Ms McCrum and Mr. Morgan for their attendance. Their evidence - their report, their written submission to us and their oral presentation today - has been very enlightening on a very sad, very dark episode in relatively contemporary Irish history. The saddest part of it is that the hurt and pain of these women is being...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Administration of Magdalen Restorative Justice Scheme: Report of Ombudsman (31 Jan 2018)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Department of Justice and Equality Mr. Jimmy Martin, assistant secretary, and Ms Tracy O'Keeffe, principal officer. As they will know, I am obliged to draw their attention to the position regarding privilege. I ask them to note that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are...