Results 661-680 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Having listened to people talk about the water crisis, sometimes I think it is like crocodile tears. Climate change is a reality and one must take a holistic approach. Last night the Heritage Bill was voted through the Dáil, which means grubbing and upland burning can take place now. There is no point in saying that it is terrible to have a water crisis unless one actually addresses...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Or the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Seanad: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I second the amendment. Senator Ó Ríordáin covered most of the points. Often people say politicians vote in this House in self-interest. Dublin Bay South probably has the biggest concentration of people who have attended private schools but this provision is wrong. I might be shooting myself in the foot in supporting the amendment but if we believe in equality and want...

Seanad: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: A line of succession.

Seanad: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I am very concerned about what Senator Gallagher said because what he is saying happens in rural areas and Fianna Fáil is losing touch with what happens in urban areas.

Seanad: Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Access to all schools is difficult. Are we saying that if my grandfather goes to a school in Dublin 4 and the family now lives in Baltinglass it will have 25% access?

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I agree with the Senators who said there appears to be a lack of openness on the Minister's part to engage on the amendments tabled to this Bill. Senators have put a lot of work into these amendments. Senator Bacik, on behalf of the Labour Party, has put in significant work to our amendments, which have been put forward in a constructive manner. There has been an unwillingness on the part...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I was not addressing Senator Ó Donnghaile.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: There is an order here.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I have concluded.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister was doing well.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: We all know there was. It was leaked it to the newspapers this year.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: First, I welcome the Minister's response that he is open to the amendments, and that he will look at that on Report Stage. I also wish to clarify that at no stage did I mean to say the Minister had any part in blocking the appointment of judges. The appointment of judges is to his credit and I want to say that on the record of the House. If we are to believe the reports from Cabinet, he...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: Maybe it should state, "should not be obliged to answer". It is important in respect of independence. In speaking in favour of the amendment, it is helpful that the Minister read the report yesterday evening.He indicated in the Dáil this morning that he had done so. He can see how this amendment is helpful, taking into consideration the GRECO report and how it can balance matters out....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: This has been an extremely interesting debate. Senator Higgins mentioned that areas of this are covered in other legislation. If someone is applying for the job, it would be useful to have everything in one place in order that if people want to go on the commission, they can go to one document that lays out the responsibilities. I am sorry the debate includes negativity against lay people...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I feel very aggrieved. Senator Noon is a practising solicitor, and the Bill means she would have to go through a 15-year decontamination period before she could get involved again. That is entirely wrong. The amendment tabled by the Labour Party Senators is immensely practical. It could do with a little polishing, but it would be a constructive element if the Minister was prepared to...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I accept that the Minister of State was not here for the full debate so was not in a position to answer all the queries that were raised. I also accept that the Minister has had a long day so I would not deny him the short break he took.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: I accept that. We had a long conversation on the amendment but we have not received a direct response. I would like to hear that he will consider the amendment and look at bringing forward an amended form of it on Report Stage. If that were the case, I would be happy not to press it this evening. It is important that anyone applying for the commission clearly sees the position for which...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: It would have been well deserved.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (4 Jul 2018)

Kevin Humphreys: We were told the Minister had not read the report last night.