Results 3,781-3,800 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (18 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I have no plans to amend the Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2011 to provide for the additional ground mentioned by the Deputy. The matter of providing for non-disclosure by persons with convictions for certain past offences is being dealt with in the Spent Convictions Bill. I believe this Bill, rather than equality legislation, is the appropriate vehicle to deal with the complex issues...

Topical Issue Debate: Mare Nostrum Project (17 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Government shares the concerns of the Deputies about the ongoing human tragedy on the Mediterranean. At EU level, since the more than 300 migrants drowned off the Italian island of Lampedusa in October 2013, this issue has appeared on the agenda at almost every Justice and Home Affairs Council and was a major priority of the Italian Presidency. We should never forget that this is...

Topical Issue Debate: Mare Nostrum Project (17 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Deputies. There are no easy answers. Nobody can guarantee that there will be no further deaths. As long as people set out on these hazardous voyages, that will be inevitable, in spite of the best efforts of everybody involved in maritime missions. It is a case of working together within the European Union on both cause and effect. The contribution Ireland can make, apart from...

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: What about the Constitution?

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That is outrageous.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The Deputy does not know what she is talking about.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (12 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Section 27 of the Disability Act 2005 creates an obligation on public bodies generally to ensure that the services they provide to the general public are accessible to people with disabilities, where practicable and appropriate. The head of each public body is responsible for meeting this obligation in so far as the services of his or her organisation is concerned. Section 34 of this Act...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. I am pleased that the Bill has attracted a significant degree of consensus, particularly in regard to its key provisions which provide for an expansion of the remit and powers of both GSOC and An Garda Síochána's Inspectorate. I am grateful to Senators for their support...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Second Stage (11 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am taking Second Stage on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who cannot be present. The Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014 is one of a series of measures taken by the Government, as part of a comprehensive programme of justice reform, which will substantially strengthen Garda accountability. This reform programme is being informed to a substantial extent...

Seanad: Mediation Services: Motion (4 Feb 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Unfortunately, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is unable to be here this evening due to another commitment. I am pleased, therefore, to have this opportunity to address on her behalf the important subject of mediation. I thank the Senators for providing me with the opportunity to address this important issue. As Senators will be aware, the programme for...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (29 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 82A3(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees.

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who is unavoidably committed to ministerial obligations in Riga, I thank the Deputies for their comments on the Bill. I remind the House of the commitment given by the Taoiseach to the Magdalen women in this House in February 2013. On that day the Taoiseach apologised on behalf of the State, the Government and our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (27 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As already announced, the Government has approved drafting of a Family Leave Bill which will consolidate into one piece of legislation the current provisions regarding maternity, adoptive, parental and carer’s leave. The Deputy will also be aware that in 2013 the Government agreed not to oppose a Private Members’ Bill introduced in Seanad Éireann by Senator Mary White,...

Report on the Outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013: Motion (23 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: As the House will be aware, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015 was published last Monday. I acknowledge the substantial work done by the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht and, in particular, its Chairman, Deputy Michael McCarthy, in laying the groundwork for what has become the published Bill. Publication of the joint committee's report was...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The protection Bill element is a single procedure.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Yes.

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank the Senators for their contributions. At a time when cynicism about politics is at is height it is a great credit to this House that this issue has been raised here consistently. There is a level of understanding and agreement across the House on the importance of this issue. I feel keenly that as public representatives we have a responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: There is a belief that whatever improvements we make, whether we make the system more humane, treat people with dignity, aspire to have a system that we can be proud of, somehow flares will be set off and people will come here who would not have done otherwise. There is more movement of people across Europe now than since the end of the Second World War so naturally statistics will reflect...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government on this important topic. I have made it clear before in this House that improving the system of direct provision to make it more humane is important to me personally and to the Government generally. Since I last spoke to the House on this subject on a Private Members' motion on 17 September 2014, there have been significant...

Order of Business (22 Jan 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Deputy Kelleher's guy went to Galway.