Results 5,181-5,200 of 8,986 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We will include that in our deliberations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Long may that last. We desperately need NGOs in this country to protect people's rights. I cannot thank the witnesses enough for their presentations, which have been immensely helpful to our work. We will take three actions. We will write to the RIA and the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, regarding the Mount Trenchard matter and we will request access for the NGOs to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is there an appeals process?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: This is incredible. Doras Luimní, a highly regarded NGO that is recognised by the State and is regularly mentioned in these Houses for its work on the rights of asylum seekers, is being denied access to a Government-funded facility. Is that Ms McHugh's testimony?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is shocking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: This is a serious matter. As an interim measure, our committee will write to the RIA seeking urgent clarification in light of Ms McHugh's evidence and ask for an immediate resolution. Is that agreed? Agreed. Ms McHugh's testimony was shocking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: It is unacceptable to our committee that a respected NGO like Doras Luimní cannot get access to provide support in a centre that is funded by taxpayers. We will write to the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, and RIA seeking urgent clarification on the issue and asking that Doras Luimní be given access to the centre immediately.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am sorry to interrupt, but the committee will seek to visit two centres, one urban and one rural. We reserve the right to visit the centre in question. I thank Ms McHugh for her testimony. We will write seeking urgent clarification from the Minister of State and RIA and expect that Doras Luimní will regain access to the centre. I apologise to members, but I have a final question...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am sorry, but I must take more questions. The Senator has asked enough, but he can proceed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Before the witnesses answer, I wish to say that both presentations were excellent and helpful to our future work.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Are the witnesses happy to receive further questions, or am I overburdening them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There will be plenty of time to respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Ms McHugh stated that Doras Luimní has been excluded from the Foynes centre. Who has excluded it and why?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank Ms McHugh. It is a very substantive submission and will be noted in terms of our final report. Ms Patricia Kennedy from Doras Luimní has also joined us. I invite her to take a seat because when we come to questions and answers, she might be able to assist. I now invite Mr. Greg Straton to make a presentation and we will then have a question-and-answer session.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank the delegates for their contributions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I cannot allow it. We have two further delegates and are already tight on time. I assure the delegates that the transcript of the meeting will be sent to the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. It will also be brought to the attention of the independent working group for consideration as part of its deliberations. The delegates' direct evidence will have an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I welcome Ms Karen McHugh of Doras Luimní, an organisation based in Limerick which works to support and promote the rights of immigrants, and Mr. Greg Straton of SPIRASI, a non-governmental organisation working with asylum seekers, refugees and disadvantaged migrant groups. I thank both delegates for their submissions which have been circulated to members and for agreeing to make a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There is no harm at all in reaffirming key points.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I also have a question. I will take a question from the Deputy and we can get responses to all of the questions asked. When the Committee on Finance, Expenditure and Public Reform considered the Freedom of Information Bill, representatives of ADI appeared before it. Testimony was given by Ms Bakaabatsile who said, "Another issue of concern is the number who have died while in direct...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Direct Provision: Discussion (22 Oct 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Usually they drown. Is that correct?