Results 11,121-11,140 of 11,242 for speaker:Noel Dempsey

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I did not say that the provision of the 500,000 pages was a resolution of the issue. I used it as an illustration to show that the Department had nothing to hide and wanted to make everything available to the commission that it possibly——

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: One cannot win on this issue as one either provides too much or too little. The information was provided. It was not a case of providing it and bringing it over in wheelbarrows. It was carefully copied, indexed, catalogued, put on a database and provided to the commission. All information was supplied. The commission began using discovery orders later on because it felt that, as it was using...

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I said yesterday and will say it again that I find the fixation with the statement made by the previous Minister mysterious. I have not spoken to Deputy Woods on this issue. However, I believe that, in that radio interview, Deputy Woods said what we in this House all believe, what any Member would have said when asked such a question and which is now proved in the report——

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The Deputy asked the question and I will give him the answer. What Deputy Woods said has been now proved by the third interim report and will be proved again with regard to other institutions. I surmise that Deputy Woods based his opinion that the State was liable on the information that we all had and knew through the television programmes and from various victims' groups and individuals...

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the matter of the third interim report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and related issues. Prior to commenting on the content of the report, it is necessary to remind the House that the Government is the first in the history of the State to listen to the victims of abuse, apologise to them on behalf of the State and take positive...

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I am sure a copy will be made available as soon as possible.

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The normal——

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: As the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will know, this debate was not intended to take place until 8.30 p.m. While there may be difficulties providing copies of my speech, I am sure Members will receive them as soon as possible. While I apologise to Members of the House, the Government did not request that the debate be moved to this time. It was trying to facilitate members of the Opposition. I thank...

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: It was well aware of it.

Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse: Statements. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: It did not. There were other earlier programmes.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: It is a lot more than was ever shown on the far side of the House.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: In case the Deputy did not hear, I was making the point that much more concern was shown for victims by the Government than was ever shown on the Opposition benches.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: We put it in place.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I hope the Labour spokesman will be better informed than in the past.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: On a point of order, I am not laughing about the victims of abuse and the Labour Party is telling lies in the House.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: I used the word "lies" so I will use "untruths" instead.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Officials of my Department have had a preliminary meeting with the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and other bodies under the aegis of my Department regarding decentralisation. The purpose of these meetings was to facilitate an exchange of information. The decentralisation policy decided by the Government and announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day 2003 provides for...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: The person referred to by the Deputy has not been given access to records of my Department. In considering how access is to be granted to the records and to whom, my Department has to be mindful of key priorities at this time. High on the list of priorities is the Department's obligation to provide information and records as so ordered by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Another...

Written Answers — Educational Projects: Educational Projects (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: Officials of my Department met representatives of the national congress of Catholic Secondary School Parent Associations, CPSA, last December. At that meeting it was agreed that CPSA would provide my Department with details of its vision for increasing the voice of parents at second level, the promotion of parents associations in schools and the level of support required to achieve those...

Written Answers — Schools Refurbishment: Schools Refurbishment (3 Feb 2004)

Noel Dempsey: A report has been received regarding the heating system in the school referred to by the Deputy. The project is being considered in the context of the summer works scheme, details of which will be announced shortly.