Results 4,261-4,280 of 4,787 for speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: First, I commend the Minister on bringing to the Houses of the Oireachtas the Defence Forces (Second World War Amnesty and Immunity) Bill. When thinking about this subject, it is important that everyone recognises that Ireland is a complex place. For many generations and decades after independence, one was told it was a kind of simple place in which everything was black and white or green,...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (16 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide Dáil Éireann with details regarding the extension of the free pre school year; if a cost analysis of such a proposal has been completed, if she will provide this to Dáil Éireann on the record; if not, if she will commit that such an analysis will take place; if she will provide a timeline to Dáil...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (16 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there has been a removal of resource teaching hours for school going children suffering from Down syndrome who are classed as mild even though they suffer from a variety of other problems including difficulties with their speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Urban Trees and Hedges (16 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there are laws on the size and height of trees and hedges in urban areas; and if there is a complaints process for citizens who feel their light and stability of walled structures are threatened by trees owned by neighbours. [16766/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penalty Points System (16 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a specific legal statutory or regulatory basis that allows Garda Superintendents to cancel penalty points after fixed penalty notices have issued to members of the public; his views on whether such a practice has a legal basis; if he will cite the section of an Act of the Oireachtas or Statutory Instrument which provides for same; if...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: A Reflection on 15 Years of the Good Friday Agreement and Looking Towards the Future: Discussion (11 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I thank our guests for their contributions and apologise for my late arrival. In the context of a presentation made to it previously, the committee was informed that the majority of young people between the ages of 18 and 26 in Northern Ireland are not even registered to vote. Does this give rise to a generational political disconnection and, therefore, does politics in the North still...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: A Reflection on 15 Years of the Good Friday Agreement and Looking Towards the Future: Discussion (11 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The statistics indicate that a small majority of 18 to 26 year olds are not registered to vote.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: A Reflection on 15 Years of the Good Friday Agreement and Looking Towards the Future: Discussion (11 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: The figure was in the region of 52%. That might be incorrect but there is certainly a large cohort whose members are not registered.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: A Reflection on 15 Years of the Good Friday Agreement and Looking Towards the Future: Discussion (11 Apr 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: That to which we are referring is having an effect on the way politics is run.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: It can be a difficult challenge for something like this because the committee structure here is so compartmentalised. Even the previous presentation would have gone between committees dealing with health, children and education. However, Mr. Church is here from the social protection viewpoint and is focusing on those savings. Are there any further comments in summary?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: What helps Dr. Thornhill's case is that he has identified the problem. If this is the No. 1 reason why people are missing work, then obviously it is something that has to be corrected. All of us on this committee believe that early intervention is the key in most areas of policy. Dr. Thornhill has identified the costs. In his initial presentation he said he was looking for champions in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: In conclusion, I wish to thank our guests for having briefed us so comprehensively. We will send their presentations to the Minister for a written response on the issues that have been raised. I wish all members of the committee a happy Easter. The committee now stands adjourned until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 April 2013.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: A Seanad vote has been called. The delegation has outlined a particular problem and the figures are very stark. I am impressed by the wide coalition of employers, unions, experts, patient organisations, etc. Has the potential solution been costed? Knowing the cost could determine policymakers' reaction to it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Is there potential to go from public sector department to public sector department initially? It was stated large corporations might be better resourced to roll out the model before the establishment of a national plan. Could this approach be considered first?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: This is a cross-party committee of the Oireachtas that invites witnesses to discuss subjects such as that under discussion. Has Mr. Church had any face-to-face contact with departmental officials or Ministers with regard to his body of work and research?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am quite stunned by the figures Dr. Ryan has cited. Committee members will pose questions, but there are no representatives of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin or the Technical Group here. How were the figures of €750 million a year for 7 million lost working days and €280 million spent on illness benefit arrived at?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Are we talking about a recurring illness - not something that will go away overnight, but one that will dog somebody for a considerable period of time?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Absenteeism Costs Arising from Musculoskeletal Disorders: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Is it the single biggest cause of absenteeism through sickness in the workplace?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Whole-School Approaches to Mental Health and Bullying: Discussion (27 Mar 2013)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Who wants to take that question? I call Deputy Butler but he must be very brief.