Results 8,481-8,500 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: May I belatedly congratulate Deputy Aylward on his re-election? I served with him on the agriculture committee under a previous mandate and warmly welcome him back. I am taking this issue on behalf of the Minister for Health and I thank the Deputy for raising it. Improving waiting times for scheduled care for patients is, of course, a key priority for the Government. Under Future...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I am taking the debate on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. I thank Senator Reilly for raising the issue as it provides us with the opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to the major capital project for Holy Family Special School, Cootehill, County Cavan. The Senator will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the coming years....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I acknowledge the request and will speak to the Minister about the points Senator Reilly has raised. It has been acknowledged that enrolments have increased by 24% over the past five years, which has necessitated an additional request for accommodation. It is fair to acknowledge that the Department is in contact with the board of management and I will raise the matter in person with the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Site Acquisitions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: No, I am a Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Site Acquisitions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I was.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Site Acquisitions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Again, I am taking the matter on behalf of Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, the Minister for Education and Skills. At the outset, I acknowledge that this issue was raised by the Senator a year ago and I acknowledge the frustration of the school community, which has high expectations of delivery.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Site Acquisitions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I will continue to deliver, if that is okay? The Senator might want to check against delivery, but the school is currently located on a temporary basis on a site owned by the patron. In the context of increased constraints on the school's temporary site, the Department recognised the need for the acquisition of a suitable alternative site to provide a permanent location for the school. A...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Site Acquisitions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: While the Senator has not said anything unreasonable, to be fair, the Department is in discussions with Meath County Council and recognises the need to acquire a suitable alternative site. A process is under way. The Senator stated that the potential alternative sites may not be available.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Site Acquisitions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: The process under way for the acquisition of sites, which involves the Department liaising with the relevant local authority, is a process that has delivered sites and new builds, and we must have some confidence in it. The Senator's point about the inordinate length of time it is taking is well made, and I will convey it to the Minister.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Acting Chairman for his good wishes, which are greatly appreciated. I speak to the motions on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. I thank the House for making time available today to discuss the motions concerning Ireland opting in to two European Council decisions that provide for the relocation from Italy and Greece of...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Not true. We did more than that which I shall explain later to the Senator.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: It is not just about the number of people we are taking, and I would like to state that for the record.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I am glad to hear that.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: What does the Senator mean by saying that the UN has not done enough?

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: The Senator should clarify the point.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank the Senators for what has been an extensive interaction about this issue. If I was to read the room, so to speak, I imagine that the Seanad in the main supports the opt-in or the protocol that is to be provided in terms of the Council decisions. I acknowledge those messages of support from individual Members of the Seanad. So many...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I did not hear what the Senator said.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: We are engaging with the UNHCR. With regard to the in-country response on the ground, there is daily engagement with the NGOs. This is a republic and I am the Minister of State responsible for North–South co-operation. The Senator represents a party represented on both sides of the Border. We have to think of this in terms of the all-island response also. The Senator's party is...

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I would love to see a greater degree of visibility in regard to the Northern Ireland Executive's response to this very issue.

Seanad: European Council Decisions: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Seán Sherlock: We are doing our best to ensure we have a stakeholder group that will ensure consultation that includes the city and county council managers so that, at county and city council levels, there will be co-ordination. At the first meeting of the task force on the Irish refugee protection programme, chaired by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and held on 16...