Results 4,681-4,700 of 8,986 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (2 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 12. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to regularise undocumented migrants living here. [13284/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Women's Strategy (2 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 16. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to resource the full implementation of the national women's strategy. [13286/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions (2 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 27. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. [13285/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The committee is in public session. The committee is sitting today in its capacity as Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery that all mobile telephones must be switched off, as they interfere with the broadcasting system. I am pleased to welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank the Minister of State for his offer to send the transcript on to the working group. Our primary focus is on the issue of extending the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman and the Information Commissioner to the direct provision centre system. In doing that, we have had to examine the direct provision system itself. We are mindful that the working group has been tasked with that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Senator can ask three or four questions, but he should put one question at a time. Is that okay?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: It is just to have a productive meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I shall allow the Senator to ask a final question now because other members have indicated a wish to comment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There is a division in the Dáil. There are three Government and three Opposition Members present. We have an option here to continue, as we are paired off. Do the members agree to that or do they wish to go and vote? I am happy to stay. Is it agreed that we continue? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is Mr. Dowling saying that, with regard to the European tendering process, there is no legal barrier-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The RIA is operating legally.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is it Mr. Dowling's understanding that in terms of the legal framework, there is flexibility to factor in the issues that he has raised?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes, one question at a time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is that the Deputy's first question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Deputy can put his question again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I have a suggestion for everybody present. I am mindful that the Minister of State agreed to come here before the working group reports. He said he would have preferred to come before us afterwards in order to have a more constructive debate on the outcome. I very much appreciate the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, has come today to allow us to get on with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank the Minister. We shall book a date in the autumn session on which to revisit these issues when we have had a chance to look at the recommendations of the various reports.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am conscious that the transcript of today's meeting will be sent on to the working group and that it will have a chance to listen to the perspectives expressed. Understandably, there is public disquiet and concern about the resignation of Sue Conlan, but I also wish to send the clear message to the working group that we wish it well. We will wait with anticipation for the outcome and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Senator Ó Clochartaigh has indicated that he wishes to make an additional point but I will make some comments before that. Our committee visited four direct provision centres and I am pleased we have done so. There are issues of commonality between those who run and manage the centres and the asylum seekers. It is universally agreed that the length of time for people remaining there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (1 Apr 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: This committee has already stated that we support the request of the ombudsmen and the Commissioner to have their jurisdiction extended. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the meeting, as it has been a really helpful exchange. We thank the Minister of State and his officials for their time.