Results 1,801-1,820 of 1,827 for speaker:Jillian van Turnhout

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (27 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: Yes, unless someone wishes to speak, in which case I will intervene appropriately.

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2011: Motion to Recommit (20 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: The Minister's determination and commitment to the issues dealt with in the Bill are evident. I hope she knows that Members of the Seanad are anxious to support her in her role and to inform the policies she will bring forward in the future. Now that the new Department has been established we wish to make it a success. What the Minister has done in the Bill today is very important. The...

Seanad: SPHE Curriculum: Motion (20 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and the Minister, Deputy Quinn, for attending the debate. I also thank my fellow Senators for contributing to the debate. We have had a very rich discussion and have shown the reason and basis for the motion. A statistic I would like to add to the evidence put before us this evening is that half of lifetime cases of mental health...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I am pleased this Bill strengthens the powers of the newly-established Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Last week, the Minister referred to the unsatisfactory situation in 2010 when an independent review group on child deaths, established by the then Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, Barry Andrews, was furnished with preliminary information by the...

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: This is the appropriate time to comment on special care orders. This element of the Bill, which relates to special care orders, is highly positive and pertinent. It also relates to one of most serious of all State powers, namely, the power to detain a child in a centre such as Ballydowd. This power must always be used with the utmost care and in absolute deference to the rights of each...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I too take the opportunity to congratulate Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh on his new addition. Here is another child whose rights we must fight for and I assure the Senator we will continue to do so. I echo what Senator Darragh O'Brien said in regard to the European leaders' summit. I am extremely concerned, as are many citizens, at the way in which Europe has dragged its feet and has not...

Seanad: Residential Institutions (Redress) Bill 2011: Second Stage (19 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I thank the Minister for his presentation. I also thank Senator Jim D'Arcy for his early support of our motion tomorrow evening. This debate is extremely timely given that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is, as we speak, launching the second progress report on the recommendations arising from the Ryan report. In considering the legislation before us,...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I join with the leaders of other groups in thanking the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the Leader for bringing forward motions Nos. 1 and 2. These will give life to the motion which, though put forward by the Independent group, was worked on by Senators from all sides together. It is great to see this expression of our joint work. I hope we can reap the riches of this in the...

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament (12 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I welcome President Buzek to Seanad Éireann. It is an honour for me to speak to somebody who is such a great defender of human rights and European values. I have heard him say that: "There is no 'us' and 'you'. We can say loud and clear that ... Europe belongs to us all". In this time of recession, however, that feeling of "us" is fast diminishing. I am a committed European and believe...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I support Senator Bacik's calls for a discussion on a children's rights referendum but we must discuss the supporting legislation that is needed, in particular, the heads of Bills and the policy intent of such a referendum. I refer to the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the European Union in 2013. Today is the first working day of the Polish Presidency which started on 1 July. It is the...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive overview. I take this opportunity to welcome the citizenship ceremony held last week in Dublin Castle. This was a very important ceremony and several people noted it as a very welcome initiative by the Minister. When reading the Bill last weekend I wondered whether the title should be changed to the lost and found Bill because it was certainly an...

Seanad: Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (30 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I have paid particular attention to this proposal which I welcome. It is important to discuss and encourage good samaritans and volunteerism. This section will be a welcome addition to any discussion on community life. I read the Law Reform Commission report on civil liability of good samaritans and volunteers and I note that many of the recommendations in that report are encompassed here....

Seanad: Whistleblower Legislation: Motion (29 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I, too, welcome the opportunity to discuss whistleblowing legislation. I welcome the work done by Senator Mullen in tabling this motion. I also acknowledge the work of Transparency International in this area. It provided an excellent briefing for us which assisted us in our preparations. In preparing for the debate on this motion, I talked to many NGOs because they are often left to deal...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (28 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I thank the Minister of State for sharing his decision with Members today. I have yet to hear of a person who is opposed to the school transport system. While I realise the predicament we are in, I equally recognise the unprecedented financial times in which we find ourselves and that we have not been obliged to face such decisions heretofore. Moreover, I agree with the need to rein in...

Seanad: European Affairs: Statements (22 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I am pleased the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs is present for this discussion on enterprise, innovation and job creation. She referred to reputation. Colleagues in other member states have told me how impressed they are with our new Minister of State following her visits to the Continent. I am delighted she is helping to rebuild our reputation. I echo the...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: My first question is on special needs assistants because the lack of clarity is deeply worrying. We know the important role special needs assistants play. If we looked at it in a purely fiscal way we would see that we save money in the long term by supporting children in the early years to mainstream education. Special needs assistance was an indication of a major move from an old Ireland...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: On the question raised by Senator David Norris, the Independent Group requests clarification from the Leader of the House that the amendment tabled is to facilitate implementation of the motion without delay. With this understanding, I can confirm that the Independent group will accept the amendment.

Seanad: Death of Former Minister: Expressions of Sympathy (15 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: On behalf of the Independent group, I, too, pass on my deepest sympathy to the late Deputy Brian Lenihan's family, to his wife Patricia, to his children, Tom and Clare, and to all his friends and colleagues. I want to focus on his work as Minister of State with responsibility for children from 2002 to 2007, because that is where I knew him best. He was a true children's champion. He was the...

Seanad: Order of Business (14 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: I add my voice to the expressions of condolence to Brian Lenihan's wife, Patricia; his children, Claire and Tom; his mother, Ann; his aunt, Mary; and his brothers and sister. I had the privilege of working with him when he served as Minister of State with responsibility for children. I welcome the opportunity to record his achievements in that office during tomorrow's tributes.

Seanad: Progress on the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language: Statements (9 Jun 2011)

Jillian van Turnhout: Thank you very much. I apologise. Three weeks ago I did not know I would be standing here and I have another pressing commitment. I trust the House will understand. I welcome the strategy and its ambitions. I hope I can be one of its successes by building on the Irish I learned at school and, in a future debate, I may be able to contribute as Gaeilge. That is a challenge I have set...