Results 1,141-1,160 of 7,652 for speaker:Joanna Tuffy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Jobless Households: NESC, ICTU and INOU (14 Jan 2015)

Joanna Tuffy: While Senator O'Donnell is correct, the role played by geography, which also occurred to me, was accidental as the issue was related to the lack of social housing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Jobless Households: NESC, ICTU and INOU (14 Jan 2015)

Joanna Tuffy: People have differing points of view.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Jobless Households: NESC, ICTU and INOU (14 Jan 2015)

Joanna Tuffy: I would like to wrap up soon but there are two members remaining who wish to put questions to the delegates.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Jobless Households: NESC, ICTU and INOU (14 Jan 2015)

Joanna Tuffy: On that point, one good development is that for people who did not have the leaving certificate, FETAC gives them the equivalent. I was out looking at community employment schemes in my area recently and local community groups put a big emphasis on getting people to get the FETAC certificate. It means that they have a qualification, they do not need to worry any more about not having the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: Jobless Households: NESC, ICTU and INOU (14 Jan 2015)

Joanna Tuffy: The committee will examine the issue of short-term unemployment in several weeks time. The meeting has been very helpful and informative in that regard. I thank the delegations and committee members for their contributions.

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: On direct democracy, I believe there is a need for an audit in this regard. While direct democracy exists to a certain extent I do not believe the convention considered that issue in enough detail either. We should have an audit in relation to direct democracy, which was evident in respect of the Bill voted through the Dáil last night in relation to any proposal to privatise Irish...

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: The main question the convention was obliged to decide in respect of our electoral system was whether to keep our system, that is, proportional representation by single transferable vote, PRSTV, or to replace it. The answer was a decisive "No" to replacing it and as the report states, "At the conclusion of the plenary meeting in June the result of the ballot was decisively in favour of...

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: I believe it is a very democratic system that is serving us well. It gives voters a huge say at the ballot and does not mean they will keep the status quoas there was a decisive change in the last election, where something like 79 new Deputies were elected. Voters have huge power at the ballot box and they use it. Moreover, they use it according to national considerations. They of course...

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: It is not democratic. Moreover, all the evidence that was put to the convention members was that if one had single-seat constituencies, the smaller parties and the Independents would lose out. They would not be represented. While Deputy Griffin might think this is a good thing, I do not. Even though I might oppose them in many respects, one would not have had People Before Profit, the...

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: ----- and that would greatly favour Fine Gael. Consequently, I understand where the Deputy is coming from in this regard. I am aware that Sinn Féin is in favour of PRSTV but the-----

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: Yes, but it is not always like that. Sinn Féin's fortunes go up and down, just like those of the Labour Party.

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: Only one constitutional issue really was at stake and that concerned the electoral system. All the other stuff is a survey of opinion and if one considers the recommendations about the modification of the constituencies to the effect that we should have larger-----

Fourth Report of the Constitutional Convention on the Dáil Electoral System: Statements (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: If one considers whether we should have larger constituencies, which was one of the recommendations, that is not necessarily something that must be done by changing the Constitution. It could be done by legislation. I would be in favour of that, as it of course would favour smaller parties much more, but it is much more democratic as well. Changing the order of candidates on the ballot...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: National Internship Scheme Eligibility (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: 37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on categories of social welfare recipients and persons who are signing on and are eligible to apply for JobBridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48911/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Income Data (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: 79. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the publishing of data on income distribution from tax data (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48914/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Programme for Government Implementation (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: 465. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the steps being taken to carry out the commitment in the programme for Government regarding use of Irish airspace and the need to ensure Irish airspace and related facilities are not used for any purposes not in line with international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49219/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (18 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: 466. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the steps taken regarding a person (details supplied) held by the authorities in Egypt; if reassurances have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49220/14]

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: I join with others in welcoming amendment No. 3 from the Minister. As has been pointed out by Deputy Penrose, the amendment changes the word "may" to "shall" and makes clear that it obliges and that it is a legal imperative. This was raised with me over the weekend by a member of the public. I will now able to go back to that person and tell them that the wording has been changed and,...

Water Services Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2014)

Joanna Tuffy: Well there is no proposal in front of me.