Results 3,201-3,220 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: In any legislation dealing with an age limit, this matter will always arise. One could say it is nonsensical for somebody who is 17 years and 364 days old not to be able to vote but that is the reality of our current arrangement. It features in this legislation also. It is the Supreme Court adjudication that the Oireachtas is entitled to protect girls under the age of 17 years from the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: We are not saying that.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Again, the language is quite clear. The legislation refers to protecting girls from the risk of pregnancy. The Oireachtas has a responsibility to protect girls from the risk of pregnancy. We are not in any way suggesting that somebody under 17 cannot become pregnant. Such a suggestion would be preposterous. The Supreme Court adjudication dates from 2006.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is why we are protecting them. My point has been made. It is our responsibility as legislators to protect a girl under the age of 17 from a risk of pregnancy through a sexual violation, sexual assault, rape or incest. This is what we are dealing with. In a manner, we are dancing on the head of a pin but essentially the point has been made.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Yes.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Section 33 regulates the disclosure of the content of third-party counselling or therapy records in sexual offence trials. The disclosure of counselling or therapy records in the context of criminal proceedings, especially with regard to sexual violence, touches on several sensitive issues and balancing of rights. The right to a fair trial for an accused must be respected. However, so too...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Senator for bringing forward these amendments. This question of introducing a statutory definition of consent has been raised by a number of groups, in particular those who work with and support the victims of sexual offences and also by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality in terms of domestic and sexual violence. Moreover, this is an issue which does...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (10 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together. As these are service matters, they have 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 Funding (10 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Department of Health administers a Drugs Initiative, which primarily funds community based drugs initiatives supported by Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. Details of the allocations to each of the Task Forces in each of the past five years are provided in the table below. Approximately 55% of the amount allocated relates to treatment and rehabilitation projects, 35%...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave Framework Agreement (9 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The basis for the current age limit 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 representatives at EU level and their agreement was then given force of law by the Directive....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On Friday 2 October, I published a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. The Strategy sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. The Strategy is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cultural Policy (8 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Culture Ireland, a division of my Department, was established in 2005 with a clear brand and focussed remit to promote Irish arts worldwide. Over the past 10 years, Culture Ireland has been visible globally creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. Since 2005, Culture Ireland has...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I can speak on amendments Nos. 10, 36, 39, 49 and 215. I will first make some general comments about some of the contributions that have been made. I have to concur with much of what Senator Bacik has said. This legislation is trying to clean up an area of public policy that has robustly failed over quite a prolonged period. We have had a Bill kicking around the place for 12 to 15 years....

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On amendment No. 10-----

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On amendment No. 10, I unfortunately cannot agree with Senator van Turnhout’s proposed amendment, which links into the recommendations of the working group. While the recommendation is desirable and I fully support its intent, the working group did not consider the potential impact on other areas of this Bill, including the fact that the Bill refers to the protection process and...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Not at all.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Senator cannot do that.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: If Senator Ó Clochartaigh spoke to the Bill-----

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Senator clearly does not understand what he is talking about. I am embarrassed for him.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am embarrassed for him. He does not know what he is talking about.I cannot debate an issue with a Senator who does not know what he is talking about.