Results 6,621-6,640 of 8,984 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2012: Discussion with Ombudsman (26 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank Ms O'Reilly. Before I open the floor to members, I wish to inform her that the committee will be completing its report on the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant schemes fairly soon. When she submitted her report on this matter, we wrote to the Department of Health seeking an explanation. We then brought the Minister for Health, one of his Ministers of State and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2012: Discussion with Ombudsman (26 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is it agreed to deal with private business at the conclusion of the public session? Agreed. Apologies have been received from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Deputy Charles Flanagan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2012: Discussion with Ombudsman (26 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The committee is sitting in its capacity as the Joint Sub-Committee on the Ombudsman to consider the 2012 annual report of the Office of the Ombudsman. I remind all present, including members, the media and those in the Public Gallery that mobile phones and BlackBerry devices must be turned off completely because they interfere with the sound system even when in silent mode. I welcome the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service Eligibility (26 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 31. To ask the Minister for Health if it is the case that he intends to introduce means testing for home care and other services for older persons and persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40042/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (26 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 49. To ask the Minister for Health the additional resources he will make available to assist the rebuilding of Letterkenny General Hospital following flood damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40041/13]

Private Members' Business - Cuts in Education: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: As a proud Irish republican, I believe that all citizens are equal and that education is a fundamental right and not a privilege. I have often heard the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, use the terminology "citizens", and it is right that he does. However, with that terminology comes its natural extension that citizens have a right to an education that takes them on the path...

Private Members' Business - Cuts in Education: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Very well. I have many more pages to read as there is so much more I could say. I believe the Minister knows in his heart that the cuts he has implemented are wrong. I heard him speak of the €100 million he may be obliged to cut and how he is fighting to lessen that amount. The Minister is an intelligent man and knows this is absolutely crazy stuff. During a recession and private...

Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Minister is on a bit of a roll. Before the summer recess, I commended him on many good innovations in the Bill we were debating at that time. This is also a very welcome Bill and, as Deputy McConalogue said, there is much common sense contained in it. On balance, we very much welcome it. I cannot help noticing the amount of legislation which comes through this portfolio and other...

Other Questions: North-South Co-operation (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank the Minister for his response. I represent a Border constituency and we have a particular interest in co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. I recently wrote to the chairperson of the Donegal joint policing committee and the three chairpersons of the Derry, Strabane and Fermanagh policing and community safety partnerships asking them to convene a meeting....

Other Questions: North-South Co-operation (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I welcome any progress in tackling the criminal gangs involved in diesel laundering and cigarette smuggling operating in the Border area. They are a plague on those communities and anything that can be done to confront them should be done. Would the Minister consider having a dedicated justice stream within the North-South Ministerial Council? I know he has a good relationship with his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 2. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Commissioner to meet with him to discuss GSOC's publicly aired serious concerns. [40057/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There are some welcome developments in the Minister's reply. Whenever the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioners came before the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, not only did they talk about a protocol and exchanging information, but the gardaí were actually querying why the information sought was relevant. That was absolutely shocking. Can we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: With respect to the Minister, it is not a separate question. I asked whether the two sides met to address the concerns that were raised. The concerns raised also relate to the recommendations that have been made arising from that special report. I commend the Minister on taking the initiative as it was essential. Do the protocols which he mentioned deal with the recommendations made in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Proposed UK Block Opt-Out of JHA Measures: Discussion (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I had the opportunity in previous committees to hear Dr. Barrett's presentations. As always, his analysis is very much valued here. In his reasons for these events, he listed the rise of UKIP and the concern of Conservative Party backbenchers about the dominance of Europe. We all agree that we need European and international co-operation to tackle human trafficking and drugs trafficking,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (25 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 29. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation providing for recognition of Traveller ethnicity in this Dáil session. [39755/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Transfers (24 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 424. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied), imprisoned in Spain, for repatriation under the CoE Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons [39300/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Health (24 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 425. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on concerns of medical professionals at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin about the serious health problems of a person (details supplied), a prisoner at Portlaoise Prison such that they have called for their immediate release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39301/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (18 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We are in public session. The first petition for consideration is P00027/12 entitled Employment Appeals Tribunal from Mr. John O'Sullivan. The petition concerns what the petitioner sees as an abuse of the Employment Appeals Tribunal process as follows: the cost of bringing complaints to the tribunal has to be paid by the complainants; the employer is under no obligation to pay the award and...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Cosaint Fostaíochta (18 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 23. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an ndéanfaidh sé soiléiriú ar thodhchaí Arramara Teo; agus cad atá á dhéanamh aige chun slí bheatha na mbainteoirí feamainne a chaomhnú. [38495/13]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Comhlachtaí Poiblí (18 Sep 2013)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: 54. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an raibh aon phlé aige leis an Roinn Cumarsáide maidir lena chinntiú gur i nGaeilge amháin a bheidh an t-ainm ar an gcomhlacht nua atá molta ag an Rialtas a bhunú trí chónascadh a dhéanamh idir Coillte agus Bord na Móna faoin ainm 'Bioenergy Ireland'; an aontaíonn sé go...