Results 4,061-4,080 of 6,188 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Many questions have been asked, but there are still significant areas to explore. The last two sessions have been very interesting. These have been very valuable hearings which I hope will lead to a constructive report. I will start by asking Men's Voices Ireland to clarify something. There is a statement from the Nemo Forum which was mentioned at the start. Are the delegates in a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I understand the point. I am not approaching it from a legal point of view but very much from a layman's point of view. It seems that it is difficult for a child not to have a primary residence. I am sure there are circumstances in which it can work and it should always be considered. However, it seems potentially to be a difficult existence for a child to spend half the time in one place...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I see the value of alternative dispute resolution approaches and mediation and believe they could play an enhanced role. Last week we had a discussion about whether they were appropriate in instances where there was domestic violence of any form. Is Mr. Drakeford of the view that they are not appropriate in such circumstances? I know that he has a very strong view that generally they...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Before I move on to the next question, I would say our understanding of domestic violence is that it is complex but the legislation and the response are becoming more sophisticated. On a criminal basis, domestic violence requires proof beyond reasonable doubt. Where it is not proved but people are subject to domestic violence, forcing them into mediation would be seriously re-traumatising...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: My next question is for Dr. Shannon. It relates to properly implementing Article 42A of the Constitution and giving effect to the provision on the voice of the child. In the discussion we had with Dr. Conor O'Mahony a number of weeks ago he identified three difficulties and I hope I do them justice. The first is where an expert is not appointed and the lack of clarity as to what should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I have a question on a related issue which I might address to the panel as a whole if anyone wants to speak about it. Some issues have arisen relating to section 47 reports arising from the 1995 Act. The point was made previously at these hearings that there is a lack of regulation of the people who can be considered experts under those provisions and a lack of scope for a party to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Do the FLAC representatives have a view on that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Specifically in regard to FLAC, I echo the points made on civil legal aid, which has not got much ventilation in some of the previous hearings. While it is self-evident, there is not enough money available and that is creating a huge barrier not only in this area but generally in many areas of civil law. I wholeheartedly agree with that and I suggest that one of our recommendations should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I think so, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: On the issue of in cameraproceedings, which was touched on previously, it seems there is a difficulty in that the area would benefit from greater publicity in the media. Realistically, however, it is not something the media will do in the foreseeable future because of cost, the level of labour involved and so on. Could there be incentives? How can we have these cases better reported in the...

Civil Law (Presumption of Death) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Beidh Sinn Féin ag tacú leis an reachtaíocht seo. Tá an reachtaíocht ciallmhar agus luachmhar agus tá tábhacht ag baint leis. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis an Seanadóir Colm Burke a thosaigh an obair air seo agus tugaim aitheantas don Aire as a chuid obair ar an reachtaíocht. Mar an gcéanna tugaim aitheantas dár Teachtaí...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I outlined previously how there are a number of difficulties with the announcement made by the Minister on Judge Haughton's approach. First, with the idea that it was not required in any event, the evidence clearly stacked up in favour of a public inquiry and the Minister could have proceeded directly to it. Second, the terms of reference were such that it steered Judge Haughton in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 10. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent comments by a union (details supplied) in addition to other bodies in relation to the new domestic violence legislation and the lack of training provided to members of An Garda Síochána to carry out the duties required of them by this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Mar is eol don Aire, bhí eagraíocht na sáirsintí de chuid An Gharda ag léiriú a cuid imní faoi thraenáil agus oiliúint na ngardaí chun déileáil leis an reachtaíocht a cuireadh sa dlí ag tosach na bliana maidir leis an domestic violence Act agus an gá go mbeidh níos mó oiliúna agus traenála acu chun...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Tá an-chosúlacht idir an méid atá ráite ag an Aire anseo agus an méid atá ráite aige cheana. The response the Minister gave is similar to the one given to me in writing on 30 January informing me that the Garda Commissioner had undertaken a number of measures and that further measures are under way to ensure front-line gardaí have a solid...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Garda Training (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I accept what the Minister said in terms of who is responsible but I would think the Department is entitled to and should have information. I ask the Minister, if he does not have it to hand, to provide me with information on how many gardaí have undergone this training and when all gardaí, at least those in protective services units, will have undergone training. If the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We have debated this matter back and forth and, as of yet, I do not believe the Minister has given any firm commitment to legislative change in this jurisdiction, even though it has been clearly outlined that that is needed. Perhaps he could clarify that. One case relates to Derry-born Emma DeSouza. Based on her Irish citizenship, her US husband has residency rights in the European Union...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank Deputy Niall Collins for tabling this important question. I condemn the attacks on the direct provision centres in Rooskey and Moville, which happened on multiple occasions in the case of the centre in Rooskey. There seems to be a clear intent to ensure the centres do not open. That is very likely motivated by a racist intent. I do not believe it is in any way reflective of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 6. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure that the threats posed by Brexit to the rights and equality of persons resident in Northern Ireland with Irish citizenship, particularly such as they relate to nationality, are addressed; and his plans to bring forward legislation to address this matter. [11875/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Mar 2019)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an mhéid a bhí le rá ag an Aire, an Teachta Flanagan, agus é ag freagairt an cheist dheireanach. Nuair a bhí an Bille um Tharraingt Siar na Ríochta Aontaithe as an Aontas Eorpach (Forálacha Iarmhartacha), 2019 á phlé sa Teach seo, bhí díospóireacht fhada againn ar impleachtaí na...