Results 1,781-1,800 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The purpose of amendment No. 39 is to clarify the application of the power under section 13(2) of the Bill regarding searches of persons where that power is used by a customs officer. The purpose of amendment No. 40 is to deal with cases where a psychoactive substance is being imported or exported by post or a courier service. In such a case the powers under sections 12 and 13 cannot apply...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: This is just to clarify the provisions regarding the analysis of samples by the forensic science laboratory or other designated laboratories.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Senators for facilitating the quick passage of this Bill and I did likewise in the Dáil. I hope it will be signed into law very quickly and that the Garda Síochána will begin implementing its provisions immediately thereafter.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009 is among the most progressive legislation to come to this House in its long history. It enjoys the support of all parties - although there are individuals who have issues in respect of it - which is significant in that it shows that the measures it contains have the broad support of the people. The level of...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: -----and not across the airwaves.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Second Stage (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: We are here to examine this legislation. The Government has spent a considerable amount of time on it and my Department and my officials have spent a considerable amount of time adapting the balance that is required in it. It is similar to some other legislation I have had to bring in where there has been a complete misunderstanding and, in some instances, a complete purposeful...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I have said many times since the Bill began in this House and the other House that the Government and the Oireachtas are constrained in how far we can go because of the Constitution. I said many times that there are detailed and distinct differences between what is being proposed in this Bill, namely, civil partnership, and marriage, as Senator Mullen said. While I cannot recall his exact...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Yes. It relates to the Equality Act.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I saw that and that is why I asked the question.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Absolutely, although I accept what the Senator says, that he is merely trying to emphasise that there is a distinction between civil status and marriage.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is necessary for the Senator to say this publicly because it could be construed from what is being suggested in the amendments that there is an effort to restrict-----

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I cannot put it any more succinctly than what is stated in the Bill, namely, that civil status means being single, married, separated, divorced, widowed, in a civil partnership, etc. In my opinion, this does not in any way downgrade the institution of marriage.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I do not wish to be antagonistic. However, I am disappointed that the people who tabled this amendment do not appear to accept my bona fides when I state that the legal advice the Government received from the Attorney General is such that it cannot cross the line in respect of the distinction between marriage and civil partnership. This is either a debate about semantics or it is about...

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: That is why I put a question to Senator Mullen on whether an effort is being made to in some way exclude those who may at present be included under the Bill and in respect of whom provision is made in the equal status and employment Acts.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: There appears to be a suggestion that these people will be excluded or will be deemed to be separate from what is already recognised in existing legislation.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: There also appears to be a suggestion that a distinction is being made in respect of persons who are civil partners as opposed to those who are single, separate, married or divorced.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: It is important to re-emphasise that an overarching phrase which contains two words is being provided to try to deal holistically with different types of status. If the legislation is passed, those in civil partnerships will be contemplated within those different types of status.

Seanad: Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: I can outline the position in very blunt terms. The advice is that there are no implications whatsoever in that regard.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: Go home so.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Dermot Ahern: That was 1994 to 1997 - does Deputy Howlin remember that?