Results 16,641-16,660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Ó Caoláin will remember that one of the key issues of equality with which the committee was concerned - of which I reminded myself - was that the present constitutional framework in certain cases creates a difference in treatment between children of marital and non-marital families, for example. Deputy Ó Caoláin will accept that it is clear in the amendment that...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Throughout the provisions we refer to "all children" and "any children". I previously indicated why we had moved from the phrase "cherish all of the children" and chosen a particular formulation. The phrase "cherish" does not have as strong a legal meaning as the wording I have chosen, on which I was advised, which is "recognises and affirms the natural and imprescriptible rights of all...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Joan Collins referred to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The State has signed and ratified the convention, as have all but two countries in the world. We ratified it some time ago. That has been an influence in terms of the best approach to understanding children’s rights. It has been that way internationally. In the provisions we are making we are not...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputies. I wish to make a few general comments regarding the amendments. It is widely acknowledged that what we are doing in asking the people to vote on a constitutional amendment relating to children is long overdue, much needed and historic. It represents a hugely symbolic and enduring practical measure centred on the welfare of children, to be entrusted by this generation...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank colleagues for their contributions and fulsome support for the Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill which we have been debating over the past couple of days. Deputy Connaughton is correct that the issue is now about communicating it properly to the public. This is extremely important. It has been interesting to see the cross-party support for the amendment and...

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Logan.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Adoption Legislation (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The proposed legislation deals specifically with adoption issues that will arise should the 31st Amendment to the Constitution be passed. Neither the proposed constitutional amendment or subsequent legislation seek to change current definitions or provisions relating to the family.

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Foreign Adoptions (27 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I last met with the Irish Adoption Rights Alliance on 19th October 2011. I have not received any proposals regarding an inquiry.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Guardianship is the best route.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The amendment was put in.

An Bille um an Aonú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Leanaí) 2012: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: No, the amendment on adoption.

Other Questions: National Play and Recreation Policies (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is worth noting that in 2004, there were 168 public playgrounds in the country and now there are 900 spread throughout the country. There is now a much greater awareness of the benefits of such facilities on the part of local authorities. As Deputy Buttimer said, there is a need for joined up thinking on this matter. There is a need to focus on this area and all Deputies can play a part...

Other Questions: National Play and Recreation Policies (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer to Senator Eamonn Coghlan's points for life initiative. This is a pilot project for assessing and improving physical fitness among Irish primary school students and also the Department of Education and Skills' active school flag programme, which is the promotion of physical fitness in Irish primary and secondary schools. I have seen in schools in my local area the value of that...

Other Questions: Child Care Services (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The inter-jurisdictional protocol for the transfer of child care cases between Northern Ireland and the Republic was launched on 2 February 2012. This protocol is designed to formalise cross-border information-sharing practice when agencies learn that families of children at risk are moving, or have moved, across the Border, thereby ensuring that children and families moving between the two...

Other Questions: Child Care Services (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Other Questions: Child Care Services (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: This protocol is in place. It relates to thresholds for the sharing of information and taking agreed action - when such information is shared - in the context of protecting children. The relevant front-line staff are aware of its existence and when families are moving between the two jurisdictions, information sharing is actually taking place. The Deputy's point in respect of the...

Other Questions: National Play and Recreation Policies (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The development of the play and recreation policy is an important objective for my Department in view of the positive social and developmental impact of play in the lives of children and young people and its significance in promoting healthy lifestyles. In that regard, research indicates that some 25% of three year olds are either obese or overweight. National play and recreation policies...

Other Questions: United Nations Conventions (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy for the question. It is on our agenda. We intend to ratify the second protocol as quickly as we can and move to the third one. I would think we will be in a position to do this in the coming months. On the second protocol, I am waiting for some legislation on which the Department of Justice and Equality is working. I will bring a memorandum to the Government on it with...

Other Questions: United Nations Conventions (26 Sep 2012)

Frances Fitzgerald: The legislation is being actively worked on by the Department of Justice and Equality. I have had a discussion with the Minister about the protocol and it is something I would be very keen to do. It complements the work we are doing at a constitutional level, yet it is a practical measure that we need to sign. We await the legislation the Minister will bring forward. I do not have a...