Results 1,141-1,160 of 2,772 for speaker:Pat Buckley

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I agree with that recommendation, but the Defence Forces is not all about heading out with a gun or tank. There are possibilities. I have encountered people who are fully qualified engineers, mechanics and the like but who, because of their age, have not been allowed to join the Defence Forces. This matter should be looked into and I would like to revisit it. In cases where people have...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: That is where we are.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I agree with you, Chair, and echo what you said. It is an absolute disgrace. Our case workers have enough work to do. To be waiting nearly three months for a reply is not good enough. The committee, by which I mean the secretariat, the researchers and everybody else, has a responsibility to assist those people who depend on us. To be waiting three months for a reply is ludicrous.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I again thank everybody, including all the members and the secretariat. Today was very interesting - again. You learn something new here every day, but I do not think people realise how busy this committee can be and what happens in the background.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Good morning to everyone and well done on the testimonies. We need the truth to be put on the table and the witnesses did that. Listening to the speakers, the first thing that struck me and that has been mentioned a number of times concerns mental health and disabilities. Supports seem to be practically non-existent for people, especially in the disabilities service, who need extra...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Employment and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Discussion (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: That is excellent. It is daunting to have something like that hanging over anybody’s head. the possibility of losing one’s payments for two years because of trying to better oneself and contribute to society is very worrying. We must look at this situation and look at it fast.

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (12 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: Agreed.

Living Wage Bill 2022: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I too welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill and acknowledge the fact that the Labour Party has put it forward. This issue is not something new. A recent article titled "Sinn Féin TD says 'living wage' is needed to address cost of living crisis" stated: Speaking in the Dáil on a Sinn Féin proposal to introduce a 'living wage' of €12.90, local TD Brian Stanley...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (4 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The devil may be in the detail or perhaps there is a hidden message in it. I welcome the fact that Irish Water has given a date of May or June for the completion of the works in respect of the silt or, as it calls it, the turbidity. However, many people will not be too happy and will be stocking up on water for the next couple of years if the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Quality (4 May 2022)

Pat Buckley: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. I suppose the question is again in the heading. It is about the boil water notice that has been in place since November 2019. There was a little bit of a break of a week or two. On 25 December, Christmas Day, another boil water notice was issued. We are now into May. As far back as March, Irish Water put out a statement that "Irish...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: The Minister met with families of the Owenacurra health facility in Midleton, County Cork, and he is aware of that situation. The needs of some 400 people have not been met in the past two years because of two short-term respite beds. The Committee on Health and the Sub-Committee on Mental Health have called for the reversal of the HSE's decision to close the centre. I ask the Minister to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí agus ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy and Legislation (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: It is very simple. Just ask them to reverse it and provide the services the HSE has failed to provide.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: This is greenwashing.

Committee on Public Petitions: Engagement with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: I echo what Senator Buttimer just said and welcome the witnesses. I listened to Mr. Justice MacCabe and one thing that struck me as a red flag was on protected disclosures and how they are dealt with. Obviously, the commission is dealing with protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána. However, would the commission also deal with protected disclosures from the public that...

Committee on Public Petitions: Engagement with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: Does GSOC have the power to investigate the courts or the courts system? I will give a hypothetical scenario. Let us say an individual was arrested, was brought before the court, was sentenced and was sent to prison and had underlying problems, such as mental health problems, ADHD or illiteracy, and did not get the proper care, treatment or even legal representation while in prison awaiting...

Committee on Public Petitions: Engagement with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: These are not trick questions. Many people watch these committee meetings and it is just for general information for the people who would not be aware. The one thing I like about this is that we, as elected representatives, are learning every day as well. It is wonderful to be able to engage with the witnesses today. I look forward to following up on this in private after this meeting. I...

Committee on Public Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (28 Apr 2022)

Pat Buckley: No. I agree with the recommendation.