Results 1,361-1,380 of 5,132 for speaker:Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The point of order is that the House was misled in the debate on this Bill. I call on the Minister of State at this stage-----

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: -----and in light of the shambolic nature of the debate last week to withdraw the Bill.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I have another point of order. The Minister of State also told us we would receive a copy of the 26 recommendations that have been included in the Bill.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: We were not given that in preparation for today's debate.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: It is shameful that it has not been forwarded to us and is another example of how the Department treats the House.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I wish to put on the record of the House that we have just received a document from the Government regarding the 26 recommendations of the working group that have been included in the Bill. I am very disappointed that we only received this document this afternoon. It is quite clear that the Minister of State had this document last Thursday. The fact it has only been given to us now, once...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: That is because nobody notified Members that it was being made available.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The Minister of State himself told Members that this would be given to them.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: It is important initially that I put on the record the statement made by the NGOs since our last debate. It was issued on 4 December and it states:Doras Luimní, the Irish Refugee Council, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and Nasc are calling for the International Protection Bill, currently before the Seanad, to be withdrawn so that it can be properly amended by the Government and full...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Absolutely. If the Minister of State would let me finish, I might be able to clarify why I feel that is so. Senator van Turnhout rightly noted that there were many criticisms of the system over the years. She outlined that she felt at that stage that there were two overarching issues. One is the issue of conditions in the centres while the other is the length of time. What we are hearing...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: If the Minister of State would not badger me, I might be able to explain the point I am trying to make.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I would like to finish my point-----

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The point being made here is about the rights of the children who are being protected in the Bill.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The point I am making based on what Senator van Turnhout said, with whom I agree, is that the Government is now trying to tell us that the biggest problem is the length of time people are in the system, etc., and that we need to fast-track that. We have all agreed on that point. However, it is now toning down what is an equally significant issue, namely, the rights of children within the...

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: The Minister of State may well be embarrassed for me but I am certainly not embarrassed.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: Excuse me, I know exactly what I am talking about.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I ask the Minister of State to retract that statement.

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: I understand that. It is important that the Minister of State has clarified that because many people were led to believe that the issue of direct provision would be dealt with in this Bill. However, the Government has chosen not do that in this legislation. Having listened to-----

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: -----the Second Stage contribution of the Minister on this issue, I believe the Government does not believe there is an issue with the system itself and, therefore, does not have a problem with incarceration-----

Seanad: International Protection Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (7 Dec 2015)

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh: -----and does not fully recognise the rights of the child, which are being violated every day on the Minister of State's watch.