Results 7,621-7,640 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: Does the Minister agree there is a strong possibility that an asylum seeker would not have valid travel documents? Do we want to prevent genuine asylum seekers coming to this country?

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: What we are seeking to do is to allow asylum seekers to reach this State. The Bill, as drafted, could prevent asylum seekers coming to this country. Is that what we want? The Minister referred to people who are not genuine asylum seekers but who are economic migrants. If there was proper immigration legislation which allowed for a green card system, this issue would not be as big a feature of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support Senator Brian Hayes's point regarding the Order of Business. It is unsatisfactory that two important Bills are being dealt with in this manner. I welcome the Government's introduction of the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002 which addresses the issues raised by the Supreme Court. It is important that this timely legislation should not be rushed through the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I am opposed to its abolition.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I know, but the issue has been raised.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: It is a smokescreen for lack of investment in local government where the real vesting of power lies.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I thank the Minister of State for coming here for the debate. I welcome the Bill, subject to the amendments I have tabled and on which I will expand further on Committee Stage. I am pleased the Bill has come before the House so quickly because the limbo created by the result of the Supreme Court judgment needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. I reiterate that it is inappropriate to take...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, line 22, to delete "of" and substitute "or". I thank the Minister of State for accepting the amendment.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 4:

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 6: In page 4, line 4, after "(d)" to insert "as it applies to the proceedings in question". The purpose of this amendment is to ensure clarity in the order and that it explains paragraph (d) in terms of the date that applies to the particular case in question.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 4, line 8, after "1997)." to insert the following: "(g) If the interim barring order is made ex parte, the court may, if it thinks fit, require the applicant to give an undertaking as to damages in favour of the respondent in the event that the court subsequently determines that the order was wrongly applied for.".

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (17 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I wish to thank the Minister and the Senators who contributed to the debate. I recognise the Government's speedy response to this matter. I welcome the Minister's commitment to review some of the issues raised by the Opposition.

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption by Young People: Statements. (11 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I agree with speakers that we need a multifaceted approach to the problem. I also agree with the Minister of State that it is a case of the individual's attitude combined with a growing tide of public intolerance for a practice that should not be considered a social norm. I would go further and say that we should not become reactionary as a result of the information being made available about...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support previous calls on the need for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science on the cutbacks in education affecting second and primary levels. However, I would also like debated, as a matter of urgency, the cutbacks affecting the third level sector. There have been cuts in grants for buildings and capital projects. The postponement of research programmes and the cutbacks in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I am nearly finished. I find it amazing that anyone could argue that access to third level education could be increased by making people pay for it and by making it a privilege and a commodity people must buy. I reiterate that this will impact badly on low and middle income PAYE workers—

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: To my knowledge, the first Irish politician to call for free third level education was James Connolly. Let no one fool themselves that bringing back fees is a progressive measure.

Seanad: Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (10 Dec 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: The Minister, Deputy Cullen, said the Government is committed to making Part V of the legislation work and that his aim is to remove obstacles and eliminate rigidities that are slowing down supply. I do not accept that. This Bill is a backward step. The Government should have held its ground with regard to the social housing provisions of the Principal Act. It is sending the wrong signals to...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I support Senator Minihan's call for the relevant Minister to attend the House to discuss flood alleviation measures. In November 2000, severe flooding occurred in Lucan and in response the local county council carried out substantial flood alleviation work. Further work is to be undertaken in January 2003. This year the Lucan area seems largely to have escaped the deluge.

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: That demonstrates that investment in local infrastructure pays off in the long term.

Seanad: National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (27 Nov 2002)

Joanna Tuffy: I wish to raise a few concerns about the Bill. Section 11 allows the authority to delegate certain of its functions, but that may have an impact on staff who may find that their functions have been delegated to Tourism Ireland, for example. Bord Fáilte has an environmental role and in certain cases it can object to planning applications, yet this is not referred to in the Bill. In addition,...