Results 2,261-2,280 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disabilities Assessments (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Provision (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to address the committee. I apologise for the delay. A lot of work has been ongoing in the background in recent months. I also note the Chairman's point on the schedule and understand the difficulty that it has caused and I will deal with that later. I am delighted to be here today before the committee, and with its assistance, to complete...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I totally understand the Chairman's position and I know his track record on disability matters. You mentioned church, community and private halls, and that issue is out there as well. Ruling on amendments is a matter for the Bills Office.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: This amendment addresses important issues of capacity and participation that go to the heart of the convention, and I thank the Deputies for bringing it forward. The amendment to the Juries Act 1976 proposed by the Government in section 1 of the Bill as published replaces a provision that prohibits a category of persons from performing jury duty with a functional test of mental or...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: On the points made by Deputy Jack Chambers, there are a number of drafting issues that have to be resolved. I am guided by the legal advice I have been given, and legal advice has to come first for these amendments. Deputy Clare Daly made a point about fair trials. It is a very complex situation, and there is a lot of work that has to be done in this area. On Deputy Wallace's point...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I recognise the work of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on issues relating to disability issues over many years.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I am likely to support it on Report Stage, which is the point Deputy Jack Chambers is making. It is a matter of head and heart.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I have to say no at the moment and seek legal advice.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: This amendment addresses both articles 8 and 29 of the convention, dealing with accessibility and participation in political and public life. The Deputy mentioned some examples of polling stations that are not accessible. That is unacceptable to me as the Minister of State with responsibility in this area. While I am completely in agreement with the spirit of the amendment proposed I have...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I do not disagree with the Deputies on the points they raised. While I understand the frustration with the working group, the problem is also one we had in respect of the capacity issue. We placed advertisements in newspapers and received 50 submissions. The more that came in, the more people became involved and the more complex everything became. At the same time, if we did not consult...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I share the concern of the Deputies who have tabled the amendment that information provided to voters in a referendum should be accessible and easy to understand. However, this concern is addressed through current practices. In line with its existing duties under the Referendum Act 1998, the Referendum Commission prepares and provides information on referenda for persons with disabilities,...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I see what the Deputy is up to. We must push forward to ensure that more people with disabilities can go forward and get involved in politics and lobbying but the Referendum Act 1998 provides for the preparation of this information on referendums for people with disabilities, including an easy-to-read format for people with intellectual disabilities. That is something I have seen used...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, line 25, to delete "Every person" and substitute "A person". I hope I win this one. The section makes two amendments to the National Disability Authority, NDA. It makes provision for the NDA to play a role in a monitoring mechanism for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It also provides for staff of the NDA to become civil...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I move amendment No. 7: In page 5, line 38, to delete "applies" and substitute the following: "applies, and in such case, a reference in this section to "appointed day" in relation to a person means the day appointed under this paragraph in respect of the category or grade of staff to which the person belongs".

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: Section 4, as drafted, deals with reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation are practical changes that service providers have to make so that people with disabilities can obtain and use all kinds of services on an equal basis with others. The convention provides that reasonable accommodation be provided for people with disabilities in the areas of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: Disproportionate burden is the standard provided in the convention so from my point of view, it would be very risky to remove the standard.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (30 Jan 2019)

Finian McGrath: I move amendment No. 5: In page 7, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: "Amendment of Disability Act 2005 5.The Disability Act 2005 is amended— (a) in section 46(3), by the substitution of "members, within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, of the Garda Síochána" for "the Garda Síochána", and (b) by the...