Results 4,141-4,160 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 May 2019)

David Stanton: I join the Minister in thanking Deputies O'Callaghan and O'Loughlin for their work and other Members for their contributions. I express sincere condolences to those who have suffered the unimaginable tragedies about which we have spoken this evening and I commend the extraordinary courage and selflessness which people have shown in seeking to ensure their experiences are not endured by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 May 2019)

David Stanton: Currently, all accommodation sourced by my Department for persons seeking international protection must meet the requirements of Section 63 of the 1966 Housing Act, which sets out the minimum space requirements per person in bedrooms.  New National Standards for accommodation provided to persons in the protection process will further improve the quality of life for applicants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (21 May 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy may be aware, an analysis of activity under the Garda Diversion Programme is published annually in the report of the Monitoring Committee appointed under Section 44 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended).  The Committee's reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required under the Act. For ease of reference, relevant data for 2012 to 2017 from...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 May 2019)

David Stanton: Juvenile stuff.

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Ceart chun Teaghaise) 2016: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to a Home) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Sinn Féin Deputies for introducing this Bill which seeks to incorporate a right to a home in the Constitution. The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is very sorry he cannot be here. If Members look at the monitors, they will see that he is on his feet in the Seanad to take the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill. He...

Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Second Stage (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate. I will consider all views, although I may not agree with all of them. I stated in my opening comments that this Bill is a very important step. It does not provide a complete solution to the problem of the gender pay gap and Deputy Niamh Smyth is correct in that the gender pay gap arises because of many causes, including women being...

Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Referral to Select Committee (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Order for Second Stage (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019: Second Stage (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time”. I am pleased to address the House on the Second Stage of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for a requirement that employers with 50 or more employees publish certain information on the differences in pay between female and male employees. The gender pay gap is a well-known phenomenon...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: From the Seanad (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: In 1984, one of the Ceann Comhairle’s county men, Charles Handy, wrote The Future of Work, a book with which I am sure he is familiar. He envisaged that, as technology advanced, all of us would have an easier and better time and would not work as hard. Unfortunately, we are all taking work home in our pockets, namely, with our smartphones. We have all heard stories about people...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Visa Applications (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs sends his apologies to the House. He is unable to be here so he asked me to address the matter. The Tánaiste thanks the Senator for bringing these cases to his attention. This is clearly a very difficult time for the families concerned. I commend the Senator for raising the matter in the way he did. Unfortunately, the Tánaiste...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Visa Applications (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I again thank the Senator for raising these two cases. I recognise they are very upsetting for the families and I am sorry about that. It is usual that such families would approach the Minister and the Department to make representations. That has not happened to the best of my knowledge. I believe I heard the Senator say that there would be no cost involved to the states concerned because...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Naturalisation Applications (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I am happy to discuss the matter of naturalisation fees with the Senator on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, who sends his apologies. Citizenship is a unique privilege bestowed on an individual that confers, among other rights, the protection of the State. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Naturalisation Applications (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I remind the Senator that Ireland is a welcoming country and has granted citizenship to more than 100,000 individuals since citizenship ceremonies were introduced in 2011. In total, nationals of 181 different countries have become Irish citizens since that time. The fee is a part of the process and is common practice internationally. The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electronic Scooter Pilot Scheme (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I thank Senator Noone for raising the issue of electric scooters. I apologise on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, who cannot be present to take the matter himself. He thanks the Senator for raising this issue and providing him with an opportunity to discuss it. The Minister is aware of the increasing number of electric scooters,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electronic Scooter Pilot Scheme (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: Yes. Again, I am sure that Senator Noone will make her views known to the Minister. I note that he awaits a report on this matter.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Electronic Scooter Pilot Scheme (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I hope the report is imminent and that clarity will be brought to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (14 May 2019)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 to 240, inclusive, together. The Government has outlined on a number of occasions that it recognises the need to proceed with comprehensive reform of our outdated gambling licensing and regulation. The proposals in the 2013 General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill, were reviewed by the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Future Licensing and...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: When we were last here I gave an undertaking to progress the Bill in Government time, reflecting the Government's support for the aims of the Bill. Increasing choices for working parents and helping to provide them with the opportunity to spend more time with their children is a worthwhile aim, and we all share it. However, Senators will appreciate that the development of policy in this...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (8 May 2019)

David Stanton: The purpose of this amendment is to amend the Parental Leave Act 1998 to increase the current 18-week unpaid parental leave entitlement to 26 weeks. The Government now proposes that this increase in parental leave should be phased in in two blocks of four additional weeks from 1 September of this year and a further four weeks from 1 September 2020. As I have already mentioned, while all of...