Results 7,401-7,420 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I agree with Senator White on the need for an ongoing debate on Iraq. I welcomed yesterday's debate on humanitarian aid but it is important to debate the war itself and the need to end it as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: In relation to the anti-war protest, I was not there and I do not really know what happened. I sympathise with the Garda Síochána's dilemma and I also sympathise with the peaceful protesters. This highlights the need for a Garda ombudsman to deal with grievances in an open and transparent way.

Seanad: Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2002 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ] : Report and Final Stages. (3 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the main purposes of the Bill and the amendments before us. The Labour Party greatly welcomes this legislation and has a responsibility in relation to the same, having secured the inclusion in the 1994 programme for Government that the provisions of the Data Protection Act be extended. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that there is a need for consolidation of the legislation and...

Seanad: Local Government (No. 2) Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages. (3 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Minister and thank him for introducing this legislation. Having spoken to my Labour Party colleagues who represent the area and listened to the Minister I realise the importance of this infrastructure. The Labour Party realises the importance and urgency of this legislation and will facilitate its timely passage through the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I wish to share my time with Senator White. I welcome the Minister to the House. I agree with Senators who stated that the increased crime figures are worrying. Crime is an issue I have been fortunate enough to come across only as a politician generally, but for the first time ever the house of a member of my family was burgled recently, and a friend of mine was recently mugged and badly...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section: 2.–In so far as additional payments are made to the Local Government Fund by virtue of this Act which, but for this Act, would not be made, such payments shall be applied to the construction, repair and maintenance of tertiary roads.". This amendment proposes that a special fund be made available by...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: In reply to Senator Kitt and the Minister of State, the Labour Party tabled this amendment because there is a particular problem regarding tertiary roads. The funding that is being made available is additional. Where additional funds are available, it would be good for motorists to see that they are being put to good use. However, that is not evident from what the Minister of State said or...

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I second the amendment. It would be better to keep the increases in line with inflation. As Senator Bannon said, these types of increases will only add to inflation and affect everybody unfairly.

Seanad: Humanitarian Crisis in Iraq: Statements. (2 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I welcome the Minister of State and his efforts regarding aid which he outlined. The Government and some Fine Gael Senators seem ambiguous about or at least resigned to the war. The war may be taking place but it is still wrong and unacceptable. It is still illegal and Ireland must make a stand in that regard. We need further debate on this aspect of the war, which is also relevant to the...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I disagree with Senator Leyden's points and his proposal. I welcomed this Bill on Second Stage when I said it should go further rather than have a safety clause in section 3, subsections (3) and (4), which I will seek to delete on Report Stage. The Senator's suggestions are absurd. There will not be a flood of people into Ireland from accession countries in 2004. He is contradicting...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, subsection (3), lines 13 to 16, to delete paragraph (b). The purpose of the amendment is to delete the penalty on indictment in relation to the offence of employing a non-national without a work permit. We discussed this issue in the context of the Immigration Bill. This provision is heavy-handed. I do not agree with the imposition of a penalty. It is...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Yes.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: This is a new offence. Are we saying that someone who employed a person without a permit before now was guilty of a serious offence? I do not necessarily think they were and I am surprised that the Government believes they were. I have no problem with this new offence being created, I am merely pointing out that the penalty is heavy-handed. There is no contradiction in me, as a Labour Party...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: Employers have hired people without permits, but they did not necessarily set out to exploit them. I would have thought the Government knew that.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I will withdraw it at this stage and resubmit it. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Government amendment No. 5: In page 4, subsection (3)(b), line 13, to delete "the offence is" and substitute "the offence is an offence consisting of". Amendment agreed to. Government amendment No. 6: In page 4, subsection (3)(b), line 14, to delete "or to" and substitute "or". Amendment agreed to. Government...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 10: In page 6, subsection (1)(b), line 10, to delete "Treaty" and substitute "Act". We believe that the proper terminology is "Act of accession" not "Treaty of accession". I would like to hear the Minister of State's comments on that point.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 11: In page 6, subsection (2), line 14, after "Slovak Republic" to insert "and any other state which, after the passing of this Act, becomes party to an instrument whereby it accedes to membership of the European Union". The purpose of this amendment is to allow any state to enjoy the advantages of the provisions of this Bill, which, after the passing of this Act, becomes...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: The Minister of State and the Government are being overly cautious in rejecting my amendment. Our concern should be that people from the accession countries may not come here to work. This problem could face employers in the future. The Government should listen more intently to what employers say on the issue of work permits. I intend to table an amendment on Report Stage which will propose...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 12: In page 6, subsection (3), line 16, after "a" to insert "significant". My colleagues and I believe there should be some limit to the parameters under which the Minister can impose permit requirements. I would be interested to hear the Minister of State's comments on this amendment.