Results 921-940 of 1,057 for speaker:Tom Clonan

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I have two questions. One is specific and one is more general. In relation to health, Dr. Connolly's presentation was really interesting. Regarding disability, the Republic differs from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England in that we do not have any legal obligation on the State to provide therapies for people with disabilities. Neither do we have any legal obligation in the...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I thank everyone for their contributions. I am very reassured to hear Professor John Doyle say this is something we must talk about because, in my experience as a journalist and lately as a politician, there are so many people who push back in the Republic and who will say, “Now is not the time to talk about this because you are going to frighten people.” To me, that is like...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: A lot of people do not vote.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: Hear, hear.

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I thank everybody who contributed to the discussion. I mentioned earlier that at least 1 million people on this island are frightened, by which I did not mean the unionist community. I count myself among those who are frightened because I do not necessarily see people doing their utmost in terms of what is going to happen next on the island. I have witnessed conflict here, in the Middle...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: Constitutional Future of the Island of Ireland - Public Policy, Economic Opportunities and Challenges: Discussion (7 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I thank Mr. Carlile.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion (6 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I thank the witnesses for coming in. It is very much appreciated. I am delighted to see the speech and language therapists here. My son has benefited hugely from interactions with speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in the Central Remedial Clinic and in Temple Street hospital over the years. I know how hard they work on the front line and how...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion (6 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I agree completely but it is because we find ourselves in this extreme situation that I have to ask that awful question. Of course it should not be a medical model, but we are in an absolute extreme. We have been without a meaningful intervention for in excess of ten years. The only interventions we get are those that measure deterioration. It would be an interesting clinical study....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion (6 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I am sorry; I do not mean to put Professor MacLachlan on the spot.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion (6 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: That is fine. Again, I meant that purely in the very narrow context of the extreme situation we find ourselves in. I am learning as I go along. I could come in here and complain but I have a responsibility to try to listen and find out things. Professor MacLachlan has been very helpful in guiding me towards better models. I have taken lots of notes on what he has said and I might reach...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessibility and Assistive Technology: Discussion (6 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I very much appreciate Professor MacLachlan's patience with me because obviously he is immersed in this setting and has a much better perspective on it from the other side. In anything I have said, I have not meant it to be personal towards anybody here. I appreciate the collaborative nature of the interdisciplinary team and the research that Professor MacLachlan highlighted earlier which...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: We had interesting statements last night on the high-level action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. I will make a couple of points about that. Before I do, I welcome Senator O’Loughlin’s mum. I lived in Kildare for eight years and have happy memories of it. I was made to feel welcome and at home there....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I thank the Minister for coming in. I want to emphasise at the outset that the Commission on the Defence Forces and the high level action plan report reflect the Minister's authenticity and sincerity as Minister for Defence. I refer to the gender issue in particular and I know the Minister is personally invested in trying to encourage the recruitment of women into Óglaigh na...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: No, but there is an arrangement. The fact of the matter is that the RAF does enter our controlled airspace to follow, intercept and escort Russian aircraft out of the area. It is not a criticism; it is just an observation of the facts. We must do a little bit better to vindicate our sovereignty. The head of transformation and the head of strategic HR are going to report to the Chief of...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: Could you just wait a moment, Acting Chairperson, so that I can clarify a matter because the Minister did interrupt me?

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: The Annapolis US Naval Academy is a fully accredited independent university. The Colorado Springs Air Force Academy where the air force is trained is a fully accredited independent university. It is the same with West Point. It is also the same with the French and the Germans. We need to have that intellectual tradition established in order that we can formulate proper defence planning...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I think that flows from much of the toxic culture I have alluded to. Most importantly, we need to pay our soldiers, sailors and the Air Corps in order to maintain them.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: Most of all, I acknowledge the Minister's absolute sincerity and his utmost good faith in all of these matters. I witnessed it and I know it personally from the interaction we have had. I welcome the report. I wish the Minister the best of luck with all of the issues.

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Tom Clonan: I thank the Minister.