Results 7,981-8,000 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: This section deals with the determination by the HSE that a child requires special care. Amendment No. 12, in my name, relates to a similar issue of consultation in the context of a different section, which deals with the functions of the HSE when providing special care. I am proposing that consultation should be provided for in such circumstances. I have listened to the comments of...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I would say there is probably some comfort to be gained, for the purposes of this debate, from the fact that the section we are discussing provides that there must be consultation, before setting out that there are circumstances in which it may be determined that consultation would not be appropriate.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: It sets out the parameters within which that consultation should not take place. It is very much framed as an exception, rather than a rule. In those circumstances, I have some sympathy with the argument that this subsection should remain in the Bill

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I move amendment No.12: In page 44, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following subsections: "(2) Regard shall be had to the views of the child, having regard to the child's age and understanding, prior to taking steps under this section. (3) Regard shall be had to the views of any parent of the child prior to taking steps under this section, and save where such steps are urgent, the...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I am grateful to the Minister of State for taking on board that proposal. I have no difficulty with him considering the language involved. He did not mention the second part of the amendment which states that "Regard shall be had to the views of any parent of the child prior to taking steps under this section". Was the Minister of State including that in his comments on the information...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I am pleased with what the Minister of State has said he will do. I am grateful for that and acknowledge it. I will not be pursuing that part of the amendment. As regards the second part of the amendment, I will see what comes out in respect of the Minister of State's work on this. I might reserve my position on the second part of the amendment, but I will certainly not press it now....

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: They have been now.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: It is because someone might want to speak on a section.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I move amendment No. 25: In page 66, before section 22, to insert the following new section: "22.—Section 45 (as amended by the Act of 2004) of the Principal Act is amended by substituting the following section for section 45— "45.—(1)(a) Where a child leaves the care of the Health Service Executive, the Executive shall, in accordance with subsection (2), assist him for so long as the...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: What the Minister of State said was extremely helpful. I warmly welcome his comments. As demonstrated previously, he has taken an extremely responsible approach to this matter. On the basis of what he said, I do not intend to press the amendment in my name. I hope it will prompt a further evaluation of what might be the future possibilities and options in this important area. I thank the...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: Yes, we should agree to extend the proceedings.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: On a point of order, an amendment was missed.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I will not detain the House on this matter. I presume I will have an opportunity to oppose it on Report Stage.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: Very good.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage. (31 Mar 2010)

Alex White: On a point of order, Committee Stage has been completed and Report State will be taken on another day.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Mar 2010)

Alex White: The Senator should check the voting record.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Alex White: I congratulate the Minister on her new appointment. Leaving politics aside, I do not agree with those who regard her appointment to the Department as a demotion.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Alex White: As the Minister is here, it is important that it be said-----

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Alex White: -----not just for the reasons articulated by the Minister. The arts, sport and tourism sectors are hugely important, not just to the economy but also to our sense of well-being and the future of the country. It is wrong for ill-informed commentators to regard the Department as a departure lounge. It diminishes and demeans the position and the office. With regard to the recommendation-----

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Alex White: Thank you. With regard to the recommendation, I would prefer if the report could be prepared within one month rather than three but it is welcome that the Minister has seen fit to accept the amendment which was proposed by Deputy Burton in the Dáil and is willing to produce such a report. It is interesting to note that the preparation of a report by the Government does not of itself...