Results 5,281-5,300 of 8,978 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: This committee has two key remits. One is to receive petitions from the public relating to the reform of public services. We engage with those petitions and bring in witnesses such as Ministers and Secretaries General. The other remit is to engage with the various ombudsmen and support their recommendations as often as possible. If recommendations are not implemented, we follow up on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I have no more questions so, on behalf of the joint committee, I thank Mr. Kenny and Ms Bray for their attendance and for engaging in an interesting and wide-ranging discussion. Their frankness and experience on the challenges involved in amalgamation were very helpful. Later in the year this committee will report on the overall picture regarding ombudsmen, and perhaps the legislation could...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Mr. Kenny talked about engaging with the Pensions Authority. Is there some degree of follow-up to ensure an issue has been resolved? Is there a process of going back and forth?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Does Mr. Kenny find himself challenging or seeking clarification on decisions made by the Pensions Authority?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: From time to time, Mr. Kenny finds it necessary to conduct a special report on a particular issue. Does he lay such reports before the Houses of the Oireachtas, or are they submitted to the relevant Department?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank Mr. Kenny.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Role and Functions: Pensions Ombudsman (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The committee is sitting in its capacity as Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. I remind those present to switch off their mobile phones. We are pleased to welcome today Mr. Paul Kenny, Pensions Ombudsman, who will make a presentation on the role and remit of the ombudsman and the challenges facing his organisation in light of the proposed amalgamations. He is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I want to focus on whether a number of recommendations are being implemented - the recommendation that the fixed charge processing centre in Thurles be the sole cancellation authority, that whenever someone petitions to have a fixed charge notice or penalty points cancelled, he or she must provide factual evidence from a third party, that if that evidence is not provided, the petition is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Everybody agrees there will be exceptional circumstances where people should have their penalty points terminated. For example, people could be rushing to a hospital with their child. However, there should be documentary evidence or paper trail that demonstrates that. The Minister is right to say that we must await the outcome of the current examination by GSOC. However, I am alarmed by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 5. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the implementation of the Garda Inspectorate report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35741/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am sure that, like myself and everyone else in opposition, the Minister is extremely concerned with regard to the recent revelations to the effect that Sergeant Maurice McCabe has apparently discovered more anomalies in respect of the way in which penalty points are being cancelled. In that context, my question relates to the Garda Inspectorate report published earlier this year. Are the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 2. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out her plans regarding the current direct provision system in view of concerns that it is archaic, inhumane and not fit-for-purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35740/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There has been a long overdue focus in recent times on the direct provision centres. I welcome much of what the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said on the matter. We have been raising this issue throughout this Dáil session. The Minister's predecessor, Deputy Shatter, was deeply disappointing in his responses and attitude...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Of particular concern is the impact on children in these centres over a long period because of the cramped environment and the food. The food is outside of their cultural experience. I listened to some of the excellent journalistic reports on radio about deep-fried foods. This is food we recommend families should not be eating all the time. Yet this is what is being given to them every...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The other issue of concern I wish to raise in this area is that of accountability. When we are providing a public service there is freedom of information and accountability to the Ombudsman. However, in the case of the private businesses that provide these services on behalf of the State, these do not apply. Therefore, we cannot look at how the money is spent or the type of food or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to commission or offer funding to a new Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland Report in order to gather more concrete and comprehensive data on sexual violence here. [35404/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Office of the Ombudsman Remit (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 16. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend the oversight powers of the Ombudsman’s office to cover our prisons and our immigration system including our direct provision centres. [35406/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 24. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is in a position to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas justice committee’s report on Traveller ethnicity published earlier this year. [35405/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 36. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to publish the mediation Bill. [35403/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (24 Sep 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 40. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to adopt the recommendation of the Oireachtas committee on justice to criminalise those who purchase sex through prostitution. [35402/14]