Results 361-380 of 561 for speaker:John Dolan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

John Dolan: I would like to hear it first, if that is in order.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (13 Dec 2017)

John Dolan: Deputy Imelda Munster raised a number of matters and both I and others can return with supplementary information. An issue concerning audio was raised at the committee last March and dot matrix facilities are for people who are deaf. There was a commitment given on foot of that meeting by an official that it was hoped to have those elements in place by 30 September this year, but they are...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Dec 2017)

John Dolan: Ireland's opting into the EU reception directive should be broadly welcomed for two reasons. The first is the directive addresses the right to work for asylum seekers, which the recent Supreme Court judgment stated clearly the State must do. Second, it explicitly requires the State to ensure that the best interests of children are considered in all decisions relating to their asylum...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Sláintecare Report (22 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I welcome the Minister and his officials and thank him for his opening statement. Equally, I note the Chairman's opening statement and welcome it. New wine in old wineskins comes to mind. Deputy Billy Kelleher talked about perverse incentives. I am not being prophetic in saying that is what is happening. It is an absolute risk and danger, however. This report is wholesome and we are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Review of the Sláintecare Report (22 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: We should not go back that far. Mr. Breslin must have read that in a history book. Naming the condition does not cure it and naming the possibilities does not make it necessarily happen. The Minister's presence was spoken about. There is also the presence of other members of the Government, whether here or in addressing this issue. Poverty is a massive issue. Unemployment is a massive...

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (21 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I was privileged to be a member of the Physiotherapists Registration Board from its establishment until, some years later, I began busying myself in this House. As such, I am familiar with the yin and yang and the ins and outs of the issues we are discussing today. More specifically, I am very familiar with the treble skill set of the physiotherapist. One soon ceases to be surprised when...

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I would like to share my time equally with Senator Frances Black.

Seanad: Councillors' Conditions: Statements (16 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: The Minister of State spoke about additional work, which certainly there is. He also spoke about the intention to have a broad-ranging review of the supports provided for councillors, which is very welcome. Despite the reference to the amount of work done, his presentation was silent on the value of that work. I will not go over the same ground, except to note that Senators have spoken...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: In fairness, Deputy Barry is a member of the family here and I am only visiting. I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to attend the committee. I welcome Mr. Barry and the opportunity to engage with him. My interest as a Senator, first thing in the morning and last thing at night, is the inclusion of people with disabilities. That is the mandate I sought and, thankfully, the mandate I got. We have a public sector duty on foot of equality legislation to provide...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: Mea culpa.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: The answer for the Clonmel-Dublin route, up to Dublin Airport, was, at one level, correct. There were sufficient seats to put bums on but all the Bus Éireann buses that were taken off the route were wheelchair accessible and none of the remaining buses was accessible nor were any required, under the licence, to be accessible. Whether the provider is public or private, it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: That is very helpful.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority: Chairperson Designate (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: People with disabilities have representative organisations. There needs to be a real engagement mechanism between the NTA and those organisations on a regular basis. That fits with what the Cathaoirleach has just said, that if there is a draft plan, people and their representative organisations need to know about it and to be part of helping with the solution. I thank the Chairman and wish...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (Resumed) (15 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. The Minister of State began his contribution by setting the debate in the context of the budget for 2018. We have gone from 2014 until 2017, and we are into the fifth year post-recession, since the troika left Ireland. I do not enjoy saying that the recession has not ended for people with disabilities and mental health needs...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I note that Senator Conway mentioned Dine in the Dark and congratulated people on attending and participating in it. I was there last night and I am very happy to acknowledge the work he did and congratulate him on it. It was a very enlightening event by virtue of being in the dark. It was a moment when we could realise what daily life is like for some of our fellow citizens. Before I...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: There are costs and choices. This section deals with minimum pricing. I very much appreciate the Minister's opening remarks and got great confidence from them. He mentioned an opportunity cost of €1.5 billion in 2012 in respect of the fallout in hospitals. That is only the minimum opportunity cost and there are many others. The current disability budget in health is just over...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I will conclude now. If the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, had another €1 billion he would be so busy he would not have time to go anywhere. There is a real cost associated with alcohol, whether that is borne by services for those with disabilities, the elderly, children or otherwise.

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: The Minister is intent on meeting stakeholders to discuss separation. Particular reference has been made to retailers or to the owners of what Senator Butler refers to as "community shops", which is a decent and accurate way to describe them. First among the stakeholders we have to consider are the children and young people of Ireland. In saying that, I am not dissing people in retail.I...

Seanad: Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2017)

John Dolan: I would be obliged if I could continue. There is a lot of evidence about how the hand goes out when one sees something beside something else. If there is no evidence, let us find that out, but I am very clear that there is. We need to go from what is my belief about something to stay with the evidence as far as we go. After that it is actually not about beliefs; it is about us making the...