Results 7,141-7,160 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I understand what the Minister of State says. Obviously this would need to be thought through properly, and there are implications for industrial relations, and so on. I am concerned that if one waits for all that to happen, it might be too late to do something about it. There should be some kind of timescale, and deadlines. I understand that the EU is considering a compulsory retirement age...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 12, line 12, after "on" to insert "reasonable accommodation hereafter referred to as". We want to insert the term "reasonable accommodation" in section 9 because that is the term used in the explanatory memorandum but it is also used in US law. We do not understand the reason it cannot be used in the Bill. I would like to hear the Minister's comments on it.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The Labour Party opposes this section because it is a step backwards in terms of the legislation and is a huge inroad in terms of the current ban on sex discrimination in the workplace. In section 25 of the 1998 Act, gender is a legitimate requirement only in certain limited areas — physiology, entertainment, duties outside the State, personal services, separate sleeping facilities etc....

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I would be pleased if the Minister would look at it again to see whether any improvement can be made, as suggested by Senator O'Toole. I still do not see that it is narrower than the original section; I would have thought it was broader. I just think it might protect people to discriminate on grounds of gender. Research has been carried out that shows men think differently from women in...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I have similar concerns to Senator Terry in regard to this section. In the context of the amendment, the Minister of State might clarify how employees will fare in terms of the minimum wage.

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (18 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 5: In page 9, to delete lines 3 to 8 and substitute the following: "(c) it shall not be lawful for an employer to require an employee compulsorily to retire from his or her employment on reaching a particular age if on reaching that age the employee is able and willing to continue in employment." I referred to this matter on Second Stage. The purpose of the amendment is...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Independents do not have that right under the law.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: A person must first resign.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: On a point of order, the Council decision, which I read, refers to a subsequent poll. I understand this is not a once-off derogation. The Minister referred to practicalities. However these will arise indefinitely. It would make sense for the derogation to be indefinite. However, the Government has implemented this as a once-off derogation.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: This only protects the present Government against the practicalities of a by-election. Others will not get the benefit of the derogation.

Seanad: School Accommodation. (12 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I am looking for an update on school accommodation in the Lucan area. I have raised the matter a number of times. Since I raised the issue last, the building programme for 2004 was announced, which affects a number of schools in the area. I want to get an update on how they are affected by the building programme.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Amendment No. 3 refers to the subject matter of an amendment tabled by the Labour Party in the Dáil and Seanad. I welcome the Minister's acceptance of our point.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: Again this refers to a Labour Party proposal. I thank the Minister for accepting it.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I empathise with the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, because he is carrying the can for the Minister. Equally, the other Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was in a similar position the week before last when the legislation was introduced. On previous occasions, when the Minister...

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (11 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: This morning's debate reveals that there is much expertise available in the Oireachtas, and particularly on Senator Henry's part, that the Minister could have used in putting this Bill through the Houses. Unfortunately, in the Seanad, that opportunity was missed because we cannot have much effect here. The Bill will go through with no changes. We have mentioned the correspondence from...

Seanad: Israel-Palestine: Motion. (4 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank Senator Norris for tabling the motion which I support. I thank him for his account of his visit to the occupied territories. I welcome the two Ministers and thank the Minister, Deputy Cowen, for his informative account of the initiatives he has taken in the last few months, which I welcome. I welcome in particular the fact that he met with Prime Minister Sharon and President Arafat. I...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Minister of State. On the question of women in politics, it is my experience that one is not generally discriminated against in politics. I accept what was said in the past few days was inappropriate and old-fashioned but that is not the rule. My party encourages women to become involved in politics and to put themselves forward as candidates. My experience in the Labour Party...

Seanad: Equality Bill 2004: Second Stage. (4 Feb 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: That is an issue I ask the Minister of State to examine. If we are serious about doing more to promote equality in society, we should review the Intoxicating Liquor Act.

Seanad: Immigration Bill 2004: Second Stage. (30 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: The Labour Party accepts the need for amending legislation in response to the recent High Court case. Contrary to the Minister of State's suggestion, the Labour Party accepts the need for immigration controls and has a comprehensive policy in this regard which has been welcomed by the Irish Refugee Council. The Minister of State spoke about the background to this Bill. The recent High Court...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2004)

Joanna Tuffy: I have similar reservations to those expressed by Senators Finucane and O'Toole. We are rushing important legislation through the House. This is particularly disrespectful to the Seanad, especially as the Dáil deemed it unacceptable to deal with this legislation yesterday. This legislation is a response to a mistake in legislation that has been enacted. While the Minister has said he wants...