Results 5,541-5,560 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Rights (6 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: Under Section 9 of the women in employment who have given birth within the previous six months are entitled to take one hour (with pay) off work each day in order to breastfeed. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has approved drafting of a Family Leave Bill, which I intend to publish in 2017. The Bill will consolidate all existing family leave legislation such as parental leave,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Staff Retirements (6 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: In my role in the Department of Justice and Equality, I have responsibility for equality legislation, which provides for retirement ages in line with the relevant EU Directive provision that differences of treatment on the grounds of age are permissible if, within the context of national law, they are objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim including legitimate employment...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: I thank the Deputy for bringing this to our attention. I was not aware of this before we started, unfortunately. At the same time, we could possibly proceed with this because it is important legislation, without prejudice to the court. There are other Stages at which this could be suspended or stopped. We cannot foresee the outcome of any court hearing. In the interim, without prejudice,...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: First, the State is not a party to any proceedings in this regard. Second, I was not aware of the matter raised by Deputy O'Callaghan until I arrived here this morning. I am a little disappointed that the member of the Opposition did not have the courtesy to contact my Department and make us aware of the matter. When we were in opposition, if an issue arose, we would regularly contact the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: A number of issues have arisen. First, I retract what I said earlier having listened to Deputy O'Callaghan's comments on his thinking and work in this area. I thank him for bringing this to the notice of the committee. He was busy over the past few days and it is right to bring it to the attention of the committee. I acknowledge that and thank him. Second, we need more time to examine...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: Has a vote been called?

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: I will.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: Obviously I am disappointed that colleagues here did not see fit to continue with the other sections of the Bill. We are already here and could have disposed of the other sections thus saving time at a later date. Having said that, I acknowledge the reality. I respect the views of committee members even though I do not fully agree with them. I understand them and respect them. In my 20...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Business of Committee (1 Dec 2016)

David Stanton: I thank the Deputy. On a serious note, sections of the Bill are important. As a result of today's decision certain cases will proceed to the High Court instead of the Circuit Court thus imposing extra costs and trauma on the general public whom we represent. The sooner we can sort this matter out the better. Postponement will mean that cases will be held in the High Court instead of the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: I thank Senator Mac Lochlainn for proposing a Commencement matter on this important matter. I apologise for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who cannot be present. The Government's response to the recent assertion by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has been twofold. First, we have made unequivocally clear Ireland's position and the Government's rejection of the UK's...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (30 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: Brexit was mentioned, but the question of the division of jurisdictions on Lough Foyle has been with us since partition. There was a political commitment in 2011 on the part of both Governments to resolve the jurisdictional issues at Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. That commitment is being pursued in ongoing discussions and negotiations between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Suspended Sentences of Imprisonment) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: On behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, who regrets that she is unable to be present, I thank the House for giving its time and consideration to this Bill. As the Tánaiste outlined on Second Stage, although this is a relatively short and technical Bill, it is important legislation and I thank Senators for their general...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Community (30 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: As the Deputy is aware from my response to previous questions on this issue, there is a comprehensive consultation process underway (led by my Department) to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to improve the situation for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) and Phase 2 (identification and...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: I have visited most of the centres by now and much progress has been made with respect to the McMahon report. We are putting in place a provision whereby people can cook meals for their families and we are putting families into family-specific units. I have visited those and spoken to the people and they report that they are quite happy there. Many people move into and out of provision all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (24 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: The General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill was published in July 2013 following approval by the Government and is currently in drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill, as proposed, will update all existing laws on the regulation of gambling, including betting and gaming but excluding the National Lottery. It will provide for the licensing of all forms of on-line...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (23 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 creates a statutory entitlement to two weeks' paternity leave. This is a minimum entitlement and it is open to employers and employees in any particular employment or sector of the economy to agree a higher leave allowance. I have no ministerial responsibility for such agreements or for employment conditions in the public...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Community (22 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: As the Deputy is aware from my response to previous questions on this issue, there is a comprehensive consultation process underway (led by my Department) to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to improve the situation for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) and Phase 2 (identification and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (22 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: While the operation of the system of State provided accommodation and the direct delivery of services such as education and health to residents therein is kept under continual review, there are no plans to replace it with any other system at present. This is a system which facilitates the State providing the essential and necessary accommodation and related services to all in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (22 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the provision of full board accommodation and certain ancillary services to protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. Aside from full board accommodation services provided by RIA, other services, including health and social services, are directly provided for example...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (22 Nov 2016)

David Stanton: Information relating to the numbers of persons with some form of status broken down by accommodation centre is not readily available. However, I can say that recent statistical analysis showed that there were in the region of 500 persons with some form of status in the process of transiting to accommodation in the community. This number fluctuates based on the numbers of status grants and...