Results 1,561-1,580 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Since May 2022, babies are being screened for nine conditions, up from eight previously. Last year, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, approved recommendations from the national screening advisory committee to add a further two new conditions to the programme. This would bring to 11 the number of conditions screened for as part of what is commonly known the heel-prick test in Ireland, which is...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The advances in technology and the treatments for many of these conditions are continually emerging. This is very welcome and it is why the expansion of the newborn blood spot screening is a priority for this Government. Significant progress has been made over the past two years. We have gone from eight up to 11, but we acknowledge there is more to do. Les Martin and others have been...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The top priority of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, is supporting stronger, safer communities. That includes an ongoing focus on increasing the strength of An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy knows, only recently there was a further campaign to get more reserve gardaí on board. I met one of these individuals in recent days. They have been making a huge contribution...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I will raise this matter directly with the Minister. I do not have details on it. I will get him to send the Deputy a response.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with Deputy Cahill. A lot of grass is growing out over signs and some could do with a good wash as well. I love to see local authorities trying to make more efforts to ensure that people can see these signs. The latter is very important, especially for those who are not familiar with the roads on which they are travelling. There are many tourists on the roads at this time of the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It is concerning when people with disabilities do not have access to facilities such as the hydrotherapy pool he mentioned. I will raise this issue with the relevant Minister of State and ask her to reply to Deputy Kenny directly.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There were six hours of debate at the committee in respect of the EU pact on migration and asylum.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Yes, there were.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Believe it or not, the Deputy must have known about this because I understand that the committee ran out of speakers. Speaking time was given here. Extra speaking time was allocated last week. If I remember correctly, we had a vote on allocating extra time. Deputy Mattie McGrath voted against that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I think so.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There was an open-ended debate yesterday, so there has been ample time to discuss this.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As I said to the Deputy earlier, when the legislation is ready to go through the Houses, there will be more than sufficient time at that point too because he will be able to attend the pre-legislative scrutiny hearings.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Then there will be Second Stage, Committee Stage, Report Stage and Fifth Stage. When we are finished all that, the Deputy can go the Seanad.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: Well, the Deputy cannot go to the Seanad. However, there will be an opportunity for the Seanad to debate it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There is a lot of time there for the Deputy, so I do not know.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy knows, the industrial relations machinery of the State is the Labour Court, which has a long history of resolving disputes. I urge both parties to use the Labour Court to find a resolution to this issue.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I agree with the Deputy that people should absolutely pay the fines that are imposed on them. If they do not pay, there should be some way of deducting it. The Deputy is right. If they do not pay the fines, they could be brought back into court again, because if they do not comply with the ruling of the court, that is an offence. I have to say that they do have certain rights. Repeat...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy McGrath for raising this matter. The EU pact on migration and asylum will be a game-changer for Ireland. It will speed up the processing of asylum seekers so that we have a firmer and fairer system. It will make it easier to return those who are found not to be entitled to protection. It will introduce greater security checking of applicants. Ireland cannot do this on its...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy mentioned it earlier. We benefit every day from people who come to work in this country. Migration plays an essential role in our society and economy. We have a rules-based immigration system that is both firm and fair. It is vital to ensure the integrity of that system and that it is robust enough to cope with complex and fast-changing migratory patterns. That pact will do...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (26 Jun 2024)

Heather Humphreys: There was debate.