Results 7,181-7,200 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Adjournment Matter. - Schools Refurbishment. (9 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I ask the Minister for Education and Science to provide the House with an update regarding the urgent need for a sports hall for Palmerstown community school and the community of Palmerstown. This sports hall was scheduled by the Department of Education and Science to be built by 2001 as part of an initiative involving the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: The House should note the signing of the Geneva Accord by moderate Israelis and Palestinians. We should support this welcome initiative. Although the act is symbolic, the symbolism is very important to counter the idea that there can be no peace or agreement between Israel and Palestine. That peace is inevitable and vital should be borne in mind, particularly when no progress is being made....

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, line 3, after "to" to insert "section 8(2) and". This is a technical amendment which is a suggested drafting improvement. I will be interested to hear the Minister of State's response.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Amendment No. 16 in my name is similar. Should I speak on it now?

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: The purpose of amendment No. 16 is similar to that of those tabled by Senator Terry. Where additional maternity leave is terminated early, the parties should be able to agree to allow the balance to be taken at a later date. Given that this involves employees and employers, I do not understand why the Government cannot agree to the amendment. I would be interested in hearing the Minister of...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Did the review group examine the possibility of a woman taking unpaid leave while not covered by maternity protection if she took up the provisions of the section? The woman who gets sick and takes advantage of these provisions loses out on paid maternity leave, which is unfair.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 17: In page 6, to delete lines 8 to 15.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: In the light of what the Minister of State has said, I will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 23: In page 7, line 20, to delete from and including "sickness," in line 20 down to and including "notification" in line 27. The purpose of this amendment is to ensure that where an employee is sick during a period of postponed leave, this is treated as sick leave unless the employee states otherwise.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: This is similar to the reason given by the Minister of State for the other amendments on unused leave and I accept it. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments Nos. 24 and 25 not moved. Question proposed: "That section 6, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 27: In page 9, line 8, to delete "(other than the last 3 classes in such a set)". On the one hand, the Minister of State claims that what these amendments will rectify does not need to be provided for because the class is normally held during the one pre-confinement month, when maternity leave has commenced. However, logically, there can be no objection to providing a...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: If the Minister is prepared to reconsider this, I will withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: To be fair to our male colleagues, Senators Terry, Henry and I are spokespersons on justice so it is appropriate that we are debating the Bill. It is not necessarily a comment on the issue that only women are present.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: It would be useful if employers had to provide facilities. The Bill, as drafted, does not oblige employers to provide breastfeeding facilities. The wording in section 8 is unnecessary. Why does the Bill provide that an employer shall not be required to make provisions? If he or she is not required to make the provision anyway, why not leave the section out? Perhaps the section is included to...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I ask the Minister of State to consider my proposal to delete lines 6 to 10 on page 10.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Regarding Senator Henry's comments, what is the Minister of State's view on deleting subsection (2), as proposed in my amendment?

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Amendment No. 36.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Why leave it in? As we said, it has a somewhat negative tone; it is as if it is saying the opposite. Why bother leaving it in?

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Even if it is not provided for in legislation, employers should try to make arrangements within their businesses. Senator Terry raised an interesting point. Leinster House is not great for providing for families.

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (2 Dec 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: It is not a man's club either as it is not family friendly for fathers. I do not have children but I know that it will not be easy for me when I do. It would be similar if I was a male parliamentarian and the same is true for staff of the Houses. Facilities are not provided to promote this area. The lifestyle people must live here involves them working very late hours. The Oireachtas is not...