Results 3,361-3,380 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (4 Nov 2015)

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.

Travellers' Rights: Motion [Private Members] (3 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: "extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Lynch, Gilbert and Connors families on the tragic loss of their loves ones in the Carrickmines fire and offers solidarity and support to the wider Traveller community; agrees that in the aftermath of the Carrickmines...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Disability Support Services (3 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Strategy, which was launched on Friday 2 October, 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. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age. The reasons for this are complex, and include level of education and skills, fears around loss of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Employment Equality Acts outlaw discrimination on the ground of disability in employment, including recruitment, subject to the employee or prospective employee being fully competent or capable of undertaking the duties of the job. The legislation requires employers or prospective employers to take reasonable steps (otherwise known as reasonable accommodation) to accommodate the needs of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (3 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 to 2015 and the Regulations made thereunder, the manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution and possession of cannabis is currently unlawful except for the purposes of research. My Department is aware that cannabis for medicinal use has been legalised in some countries and that there have been several studies internationally on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (3 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (22 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act so as to allow the Government to declare substances to be controlled and to clarify the provisions under which Ministerial orders and regulations are made is currently being drafted and is listed in the Government Legislative Programme for publication in 2016. This will once again allow regulations to be made and, if necessary and appropriate, bring...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Funding (22 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

European Council: Statements (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: How much time do I have?

European Council: Statements (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I have attempted to address many of the questions raised over the course of the question-and-answer session. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked me whether I accept that the invasion and bombing of Iraq destabilised the whole region. On a personal basis, I do, and the question now is what we do from here on. I do not think we have seen anything near the peak of this crisis. This is the largest...

European Council: Statements (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: This crisis will not be solved today, tomorrow, next week or next month. It will be with us for quite a long time. I thank Deputies for their comments and questions. I am pleased to have the opportunity to wrap up the debate on the outcome of the October European Council and touch on some of the issues on the agenda, including some that the Taoiseach did not have time to cover. ...

European Council: Statements (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am keen to make the point at the outset that it is to the credit of the House and the political system in the country that we do not have a political debate in Ireland based around resistance to refugees coming to Ireland. That is to the credit of the House and the political parties operating within it. As Deputies will know, throughout Europe there is major resistance and growing...

European Council: Statements (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Quite a number of issues have been raised. In regard to Hungary, many of the comments from Hungary have upset people, including many Irish people, considering that, in the 1950s in particular, Ireland reached out the hand of friendship to Hungarian refugees. The official position is that it is not helpful in a European context to comment on a position adopted by any particular partner...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Chairman and the committee for inviting us to attend. I will begin by showing members a short promotional video about Culture Ireland.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Culture Ireland was set up under the then Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2005 to promote Irish arts and artists worldwide. As Culture Ireland marks a decade in operation, it is timely to examine its performance and set clear goals for its future. Culture Ireland’s strategy is to provide support for the international presence of Irish artists and arts...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Seanadóir for his questions. On the future of Culture Ireland and strengthening it, I came in contact with it for the first time as Minister of State. I have seen the reach and power it has, which is quite remarkable. Figures were given to me earlier today for the level of investment and showing the global reach. A figure was given to me for the cost of sending certain...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The embassy and Tourism Ireland provided special funding of €300,000 for the Céiliúradh which was curated by Philip King. It was a once off event for a particular reason. The visit by President Higgins to the United Kingdom was of particular historical significance; therefore, a special designation was given to the visit because of this. Anybody who witnessed the event and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Culture Ireland is the driver, but it must have a sense of the embassies and the dynamics of the country. While it is certainly the driver, advice is taken to understand cultural sensitivities or the particular needs of the embassy at the time. Culture Ireland will definitely be the driver and initiator and the organisation promoting funding and allocating resources, but it must take...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Strategy, which was launched on Friday 2 October, 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. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age. The reasons for this are complex, and include level of education and skills, fears around loss of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities had been due to be published in 2014. Following concerns expressed by the disability stakeholders with whom we consult, I asked that further work be undertaken to ensure that it contained real actions and credible targets. Following this further work by the National Disability Authority and my Department, we have a Strategy...