Results 3,481-3,500 of 8,245 for speaker:Bríd Smith

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: I listened very carefully to the Minister's introduction of his amendments and his response to what has been said by Deputies. It was very difficult to understand and follow his statement. To be frank, I think he had difficulty articulating his position and what he said was extraordinarily confusing. If he is not able to simplify his argument so that we in this House and those outside the...

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: All of us in the Opposition, and probably many sitting in government, believe that we should not be here debating this issue at all. The entire country is stunned at what is going on. I think that the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, does not believe that this is the correct thing to do, but he is the prisoner of senior civil servants and a system that insists on continuing what it started out...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: It would be wonderful if we could have the report before the end of the year. I remind the Minister - not that she needs reminding but for the record - that Shane O'Farrell was killed on 2 August 2011, so we are coming into the tenth year of the anniversary of his death. The Minister and the House are aware of the efforts his family have gone through to get an inquiry and to get justice....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: Like everybody else, I sincerely care about the family and that they get closure and find out what happened to Shane and why, but there is also a matter of public interest here because the wheels of justice turn in many strange ways and when one knows even a little bit about this case, one can see that there are so many questions to be asked. It is a matter of public interest and not just...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: 5. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will commission a review of the effects of changes in the law regarding the offence of prostitution and specifically the effects of this change on vulnerable women; the number of women who have been charged with the offence of brothel keeping since the change to the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: My question is on a related subject. It is about the review of the effects of the changes in the law regarding the offence of prostitution, specifically, the effects of this change on vulnerable women, and the number of women who have been charged with the offence of brothel keeping since the change to the legislation.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: As usual, the questions are not answered. Like Deputy Connolly, I believe not giving a date for the completion of the review is unsatisfactory. If the law states that it must be conducted within three years, we should have a date for it. I was recently involved in a students' union debate in University College Dublin, UCD, which included people who support the opposite position and who...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: What this reveals is that perhaps this amendment to the legislation is not working in favour of those whom it is meant to protect.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legislative Reviews (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: I am sure the Minister is aware that being charged with keeping a brothel may mean that there are two women or people in the same space. The personal evidence of many sex workers is that they stay in twos in the same space for their safety, particularly during Covid. There is evidence that their safety was far more compromised during the pandemic. I am alarmed that there have been 20...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: 10. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the demand for a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32020/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Inquiries (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: The question speaks for itself. I am very concerned about what has happened in response to the demand for a public inquiry into the death of Shane O'Farrell. This was brought before the previous Dáil many times. 10 o’clock I would like to see what progress is being made on it.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: 64. To ask the Minister for Finance when he will publish the list of companies that availed of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; if this list will detail the amount of funds claimed in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32231/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: 105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the procedures followed by schools in relation to tracing close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the school when a member of staff or student tests positive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32229/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: 106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there have been changes to the tracing of close contacts, including the definition of a close contact in the case of a positive case of Covid-19 in both primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32230/20]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (22 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: 122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if those in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment can participate in a full-time training course and retain the payment; if not, if there are plans to allow claimants to take up full-time training to improve their employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32128/20]

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: I am sharing time with Deputy Mick Barry. I congratulate Deputy Cronin on her very insightful summation of the history of the counterrevolution this State conducted nearly 100 years ago, mainly against women but ultimately against women and children. The commission on mother and baby homes was tasked five years ago with delivering an academic social history report. It interviewed...

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: I understand this is unusual. Deputies who have been here far longer than I say they have never seen this before. However, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle said we agreed that the Bill be read a Second Time and I did not agree. I object to it being read a Second Time and to the way in which the Bill is being pushed through. When I do not agree with something and I want to find out how other...

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: I understand that. I have not been here that long but I have been here long enough to know that we can vote on whether it moves past Second Stage and that we can vote on the amendments tomorrow. etc. However, the question that was put was that the Bill be read a Second Time and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle asked if that was agreed. I said "No" and that I was objecting to that. I believe that...

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: I think we have a right to decide whether the Bill is moved and read a Second Time. I want to object to it being read and moved a Second Time. This is being rushed through. It is indecent haste. We know from the public reaction that a significant number of people do not want this to happen here. I am objecting to it and I want to call a vote on it.

Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Oct 2020)

Bríd Smith: No.