Results 3,261-3,280 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: This is the protection Bill. It deals with a large number of the recommendations set out in the report of the working group on direct provision. Direct provision has been a disaster for the families involved. It was a six-month solution that turned into a 12-year or 13-year solution. Nobody who is engaged in this process ever suggested that direct provision would be abolished. I never...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: What is the alternative? The Senator does not have one.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: What is your alternative?

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: You do not have one.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: All of these are Government amendments apart from amendment No. 231 in the name of Senator O'Donovan. They relate mainly to the insertion of references to an international protection officer instead of an authorised officer. Authorised officer had been used initially as a standard formulation. The new insertions better reflect the functions to be carried out by such officers under the...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: My information is that the grouping comprises all Government amendments, with the exception of amendment No. 231 in the name of Senator O'Donovan.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Senator is making a reasonable point.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It is a timing issue. Amendment No. 230 has to be passed. Our intention is to not move the amendment and then come back to it at a later stage.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: This is a group of Government amendments relating to the use of the term "legal assistance" instead of "free legal assistance", as used in the published version of the Bill. The term "legal assistance" is defined in section 2 of the Bill as including legal aid legal advice. Therefore, we are adjusting the wording across the Bill to reflect this.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: These Government amendments are correcting cross-references and numbers across the Bill and, therefore, are of a technical nature.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I will go through the responses. The view is not to accept amendment No. 6. The term "Representative" is not used in the Bill and therefore does not need to be defined in section 2. The only reference in the Bill is to a legal representative, which is defined. Amendment No. 7 refers to page 10, line 27. Is that correct? I need your assistance, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I can give an individual answer to each amendment, but unfortunately my answers are detailed in respect of their position in the Bill and their numbering. I may need your guidance.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I will address amendment No. 7 first. The relevant term does not need to be defined. It is not a term used in the text of the Bill. All children who arrive in the State are protected by the provisions of the Bill and the best interests of the child are paramount. Amendment No. 8 is next. The Bill reflects the EU directive in respect of where a stateless person is not defined and...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I do not have a note on that. I am awaiting a note on that amendment. The Department's view is to accept this. The paragraph should be amended to include the legal advice. I want to ensure I have that absolutely correct.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I want to be certain I have the right amendment.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: My notes refer to lines 36 and 37, but it is the same amendment.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I do not have a note on that. I might come back to amendment No. 27, if that is okay. Amendment No. 136 refers to page 39. Is that correct?

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The idea is that section 34(3) already provides that interviews shall be conducted by persons who are sufficiently competent to take account of the personal or general circumstances surrounding the applicant's origin or vulnerability. We will not accept the amendment. Amendment No. 138 is next. The idea is that section 35(c) provides that the report of the personal interview, together with...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The view is that the section provides that the report of the personal interview, together with the report under section 38 in respect of the child’s application, is prepared by a person with the necessary knowledge of the special needs of minors. It may be emphasis or it may be terminology, but the view is that the Bill, as is, is sufficient in that regard. The next amendment is...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Amendment No. 142 is-----