Results 1,661-1,680 of 2,414 for speaker:Fintan Warfield

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I was contacted recently by an Irish woman whose British wife gave birth to their son. When the Irish mother, who is the non-biological mother, wished to apply for an Irish passport for her child, she was told that she was not recognised as a mother under law and, therefore, was not entitled to apply for an Irish passport. I do not know what the legal interpretation is from the Department...

Seanad: Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I support the amendment to ensure that where natural heritage areas are revoked it does not inadvertently allow for the expansion of commercial turf cutting rights. The intention of the legislation was to create an avenue in which turf cutting could be facilitated and maintained, largely for personal use, and done so with regard to the ability of turf cutters to be custodians of the plots...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: LGBTI+ Youth Strategy: Discussion (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister and her officials to the committee. This is a really ambitious project that should be commended. It will, I hope, enhance the lives of young LGBT people. Homelessness figures have reached 10,000 people. Youth homelessness is an issue with which this committee will deal in the coming weeks. An LGBT shelter has been launched in London and we know that LGBT...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: LGBTI+ Youth Strategy: Discussion (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I refer to objective 8(b) in the strategy which relates to the prohibition of conversion therapy. Our Private Members' Bill prohibiting conversion therapy has passed Second Stage in the Seanad. It would be the most comprehensive ban in the world. Some would argue it is a reach into religious freedom but we are talking about vulnerable people. In many parts of the world, its use has been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: LGBTI+ Youth Strategy: Discussion (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I see a shortcoming in the commitment in 8(b) of the strategy, which is confirmed by the findings of the British survey, which showed that only 5% of people who have undergone conversion therapy do so in a professional, regulated space. In other words, 95% of those who experience conversion therapy do so through faith-based organisations. The outright ban which we propose is the only way...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: LGBTI+ Youth Strategy: Discussion (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: The Minister referred to the mapping out of provisions for youth services and youth support. When I speak to organisations such as Teach Solais in Galway, Gay Project and LINC in Cork, or phonelines such as Gay Switchboard and the LGBT helpline all seem to apply to different funding streams. Sometimes that is welcome because when the austerity junkies are around and things are cut back,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: LGBTI+ Youth Strategy: Discussion (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I commend the sticker being worn. I spoke to Ms Úna Mulally about the commitment in that regard and she was very excited by it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: LGBTI+ Youth Strategy: Discussion (15 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: As I have stated previously, there was a one-way system around my school and every day I passed a BeLonG To poster which read "It's OK to be gay". Although I did not come out while I was in school, it was nice to know someone had put up the poster there. It is very important that such posters be put up In GAA clubs and other spaces. Taking part in sport can be frustrating for members of...

Seanad: Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018: Second Stage (14 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: Sinn Féin welcomes the Bill and will be supporting it. I am disappointed, as ever, when we have to submit amendments quite rapidly or before Second Stage is finished, but I will not dwell on that tonight. There is much more that needs to be done, both within and beyond this Bill. We saw from yesterday's daft.ie report that the average rent in Dublin hit over €2,000 for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Rights Alliance Report Card 2019: Discussion (8 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I was at the launch and it is a really important indicator and really important for our work to see where the State is at. Did the Department engage with the Children's Rights Alliance before and after and what did that engagement look like? Did it contest anything?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Children's Rights Alliance Report Card 2019: Discussion (8 May 2019)

Fintan Warfield: We have the Minister, Deputy Zappone, in next week for an update on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, LGBTI, strategy. It is only a two year strategy so we are about a year in. I have not seen many actions completed but that said, they could be teeing everything up for the second the year. Relationships, sexuality, education, bullying in schools, gender recognition and the...

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: That is rich.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: Yes.

Seanad: Statement by the Taoiseach (18 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: Four months ago the report of the Seanad reform implementation group landed on the Taoiseach's desk. It had been sent by its chairperson, Senator McDowell. The legislation would result in a radical change in elections to this House, leading to a more democratic Chamber. Will the Taoiseach run with the report? Rather than highlight its flaws - there are some - he should remember that he...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2019: Second Stage (18 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I welcome the Minister to the House. Obviously Sinn Féin will support the Bill. While it is technical, it represents a series of steps on a very long road for equal parental rights for LGBTQI couples. The failure to commence key parts of the Children and Family Relationships Act is probably the issue I have discussed most in my short time in this House, mainly because it is one of the...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2019: Second Stage (18 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I thought he was going to go for the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2019: Second Stage (18 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: We need advocates at Cabinet and I thank the Minister for her work.

Seanad: Property Services (Advertisement of Unfit Lettings) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." We have all seen it in the news: a profile of a makeshift studio apartment skilfully crafted out of an upstairs hallway or granny flat in which the bed is conveniently located a few feet away from the kitchen or toilet, all to be had for €800 per month. Every few weeks, we see these stories in the media. They are often posted by...

Seanad: Property Services (Advertisement of Unfit Lettings) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: I do not know of any Opposition Bill that has been enhanced by a six-month delay. Such a delay is not a democratic proposal. I call on Fine Gael not to stifle the efforts of this legislation but, rather, to work with me and other Members to ensure effective legislation is developed. The Bill is not a finished product. There are multiple Stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas to make it...

Seanad: Property Services (Advertisement of Unfit Lettings) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (10 Apr 2019)

Fintan Warfield: Or not.