Results 501-520 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

International Criminal Court Bill 2003: Report Stage. (9 May 2006)

Frank Fahey: Any proposal such as that proposed by the Deputy which would attempt to remove diplomatic or state immunity from persons or properties of a third state, unless the ICC has obtained a waiver, would be inconsistent with the provisions of the Rome Statute and could not be accepted.

International Criminal Court Bill 2003: Report Stage. (9 May 2006)

Frank Fahey: The Minister undertook to follow this issue up but the Attorney General has advised that under the Rome Statute, curtailment on diplomatic or state immunity cannot apply to the person or property of a third state that is not party to the statute unless the court can first obtain the co-operation of that state for the waiver of the immunity. We cannot override our other international obligations.

International Criminal Court Bill 2003: Report Stage. (9 May 2006)

Frank Fahey: It may not be true but that is the Attorney General's advice.

International Criminal Court Bill 2003: Report Stage. (9 May 2006)

Frank Fahey: The amendment seeks to ensure that all State agencies co-operate with the International Criminal Court. However, the legislation will place considerable duties and powers on the Minister, as set out in sections 17 and 19. Similar powers and duties are set out for the High Court in sections 19 and 22 and for the Garda and the Garda Commissioner in sections 23 and 38. On Committee Stage, the...

International Criminal Court Bill 2003: Report Stage. (9 May 2006)

Frank Fahey: The amendment adds nothing to the Bill and it is not necessary.

International Criminal Court Bill 2003: Report Stage. (9 May 2006)

Frank Fahey: Deputy Howlin's proposed amendments relate to the issue that was discussed in detail on Committee Stage and which the Minister agreed to accept in principle. Given that amendment No. 45 is the same as amendment No. 8, I trust that Deputy Gerard Murphy will withdraw the amendment in his name.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am not at all sure a prescriptive amendment like this would do anything for flexibility. The spirit of the section containing this provision is one of co-operation between employer and employee so that where it suits both the employer and the employee, they may agree together that parental leave may be taken in whatever fashion they jointly decide. This amendment ignores the day-to-day...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I have had no case from the trade union movement on this amendment.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I assure the Deputy that I have listened carefully to any points made by the trade union movement, both in my present job and in my previous job as Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs. I implemented as much as I could of its requirements because I am, essentially, a trade unionist myself.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I would not say that.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: The record is there to show it.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill is the third of three key items of legislation promoting work-life balance which the Government committed to implement under the Sustaining Progress agreement. I am pleased that it has been possible to implement each of those legislative commitments in full, although I agree with the Opposition that it has taken much longer than it should have. Significant...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: As both Deputies have said, the proposed amendment seeks to increase the duration of parental leave by a further four weeks to 18 weeks. In its review of the Parental Leave Act 1998, the review group considered proposals made by ICTU and the Equality Authority to increase the duration of parental leave. The proposals were considered bearing in mind the recent extension of maternity and...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I agree with the Deputy. Nobody knows where we will all be in 12 months time and therefore it would be impossible to give any guarantee. I take the point made by both Deputies. The basic problem is that the drafting process and the legislative process in general are so slow that this legislation could have and probably should have been put through the House some considerable time ago. While...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: The provisions in amendments Nos. 4 and 5 are contrary to the agreement that was reached by the social partners during the negotiations on Sustaining Progress. Therefore, as I have said, I cannot consider the amendments, unfortunately. Amendment No. 6 proposes to add a new element to the Bill by extending to three years the period of time available to the adopting parents of a child who is...

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages. (25 Apr 2006)

Frank Fahey: I said on Committee Stage that I would be willing to reconsider this amendment on Report Stage. I note the Deputy has made the textual amendments required and I can now accept this amendment.

Postal Services. (9 Mar 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am responding in this debate on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey. The future development of An Post is, in the first instance, a matter for the board and management of An Post. The Government is fully committed to An Post remaining a strong player in the Irish postal market but the market will change over the coming years. The...

European Enforcement Order. (9 Mar 2006)

Frank Fahey: I am taking this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. On his behalf, I take the opportunity to outline the main features of the instrument which has been referred to by Deputy Gilmore. It should become apparent that the instrument has a particular and laudable purpose and it is regrettable if that purpose is being misused. However, if...

Asylum Support Services. (9 Mar 2006)

Frank Fahey: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers and currently has a portfolio of 65 centres across the State for this purpose. To address the reduction in numbers and the change in profile of asylum seekers, the RIA embarked on a programme of downsizing its accommodation portfolio. The...