Results 361-380 of 2,723 for speaker:Barry Andrews

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: We have already had an extensive debate on this issue. I do not intend to accept any of the amendments in this group for the reasons I outlined on Committee Stage. I accept it is unsatisfactory that natural mothers have to adopt their own children but the correct way to resolve this is through guardianship legislation. In September 2009 the Law Reform Commission published a consultation...

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The majority of adoptions in the past couple of years have not been domestic or step-parent adoptions but international adoptions.

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: While I accept that both Deputies were referring to domestic adoptions, to argue that the Bill does not do anything, has failed abysmally and does not, in any way, move matters forward is to forget that the vast majority of adoptions are international adoptions. As we all know, the Bill updates Irish law and provides significant safeguards in an area that is notoriously difficult to navigate...

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have not had second thoughts on the issue. I am satisfied the HSE must have a role at the end of the process and it must be notified in circumstances where there is a discontinuance as set out in section 21. It states "By notice delivered to the Health Service Executive at any time after an application under section 20, the applicant or applicants may discontinue the proceedings that are...

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I do not intend to change this area. It is not clear from Deputy Shatter's proposal or comments what he is trying to correct and what problem is to be addressed. There is an arbitrary nature in picking a certain age in any respect and all of us would have different views as to when a child might be properly consulted about something as significant as an adoption. In any case, section 24 -...

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move amendment No. 48: In page 29, to delete lines 37 to 43 and in page 30, to delete lines 1 to 4 and substitute the following: 33.—(1) (a) The Authority shall not make an adoption order, or recognise an intercountry adoption effected outside the State, unless— (i) the applicants are a married couple who are living together, (ii) the applicant is the mother or father or a relative of...

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I do not have anything further to add. We have dealt with this matter in detail. I do not wish to be unhelpful but we have gone through this matter to a great extent. While I have sympathy with the points made by Deputies I believe this is a matter that might be more appropriately dealt with in a different context. I will not be accepting the amendment.

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I do not think it is safe to argue there would not be a constitutional doubt about this area. I appreciate that the number of people who belong in this category may be small. The Government intends to put a referendum to the people that would clarify this situation for once and for all. There would be no doubt whatsoever. As Deputies Ó Caoláin and Shatter will know, the committee...

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move amendment No. 50: In page 30, line 9, to delete "an adoption order or" and substitute the following: "an adoption order is married, or an applicant, other than an applicant who is a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of section 90(3),".

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move amendment No. 51: In page 30, line 27, to delete "order, or recognise" and substitute the following: "order or, except where the applicant is a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of section 90(3), recognise".

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move amendment No. 52: In page 30, line 35, to delete ", or recognise an intercountry adoption,".

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (29 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I move amendment No. 53: In page 31, lines 4 and 5, to delete all words from and including "order," in line 4 down to and including "unless" in line 5 and substitute the following: "order or, except where the applicant is a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of section 90(3), recognise an intercountry adoption, unless".

Written Answers — Children First Guidelines: Children First Guidelines (24 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I am happy to consider this submission in the context of the implementation framework necessary to support the revised version of the Children First Guidelines.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (24 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I have responsibility for implementing the free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, which was introduced in January of this year. I understand that the child care facility referred to by the Deputy is participating in the new ECCE scheme and that to date capitation funding in the region of €95,000 has been allocated by my Office to the facility to enable it...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (24 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. However, the HSE service plan for 2010 cites a projected 2009 outturn of 85% for the percentage of children in care who had a written care plan as defined by child care regulations 1995. The Implementation Plan for the recommendations of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was accepted by...

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (24 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Children in Care: Children in Care (24 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: I doubt if the Office of the Attorney General has permitted an inadvertent provision of that scale in the legislation. Deputy O'Sullivan said one of the Minister's functions is to be accountable. Therefore, the question must be asked whether it is necessary to include what is proposed in the amendment. By the Deputy's own admission, the text as it stands covers the fact that one of the...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: First, I want to clarify that arising from the Croke Park deal, the industrial action by IMPACT in the HSE has been lifted. Unfortunately, the CPSU, which represents the clerical officers, is still engaged in industrial action and this can cause problems in getting parliamentary questions and representations sent on to the HSE. However, I would take the point that Deputy Ó Caoláin makes...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jun 2010)

Barry Andrews: The purpose of the Bill is to address the issue of the provision of information by the HSE to the Minister. It is tied to the Minister's functions under the Health Act 2004 and any other enactment, such as the Ministers and Secretaries Act. In particular, section 40C is about the Minister being able to require information from the executive free of specified legal prohibitions. In this...