Results 301-320 of 501 for speaker:Maurice Hayes

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I strongly argue against a dual role for the Garda ombudsman. I thought the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, had actually resiled from that. Perhaps he has not.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I missed my cue on the last occasion but I thoroughly agree with the Minister. These are matters of office management and good practice and they are better left at that level.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I too find the amendment somewhat tautologous in that I wonder what is the difference between a former member and a retired member. I take issue with Senator Minihan on the question of applicants. They should have somewhere to go.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: Very well. Several complaints arise out of that process. I would be uneasy too about the inclusion of a civil servant in that section because civil servants come under the remit of the Ombudsman and it should be left that way. Otherwise an ambiguity arises as to where the civil servant addresses complaints. The last thing one wants is a form of ombudsman shopping. It would be better to be...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I strongly support this amendment as it would strengthen the office and assist the ombudsman to do what is required. In the Lower House, the Minister spoke about patterns of behaviour and changes in culture that cried out for this. In my experience when I worked in an ombudsman's office without this power, it was desperate. I came up against issues that I knew needed to be investigated but...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I defer to Senator Minihan's knowledge of the Army and I am grateful to him for his intervention. These are closed, hierarchical societies. The experience I have had of doctors, policemen and soldiers is that they have all told me their areas are so private and so important that nobody outside can understand them and that they will deal with matters themselves. They should deal with most...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: In passing, I support Senator Ó Murchú's request for a debate on Northern Ireland. It would be timely and helpful. I raise an issue in which I have only a general cultural interest, but it touches on an important part of our national heritage. Before it is too late, will the Leader arrange a debate on the siting of a road in County Meath? There must be a way out of this. It is causing great...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I support the calls for the speedy enactment of the legislation dealing with the Garda ombudsman. It is in the public interest that it is introduced as quickly as possible. I have a certain pride of authorship in that I drew up the blueprint for the Northern Ireland office. That legislation has worked. It is important to note that it gave confidence to the police there that it too would get a...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I wish to share my time with Senator Lydon.

Seanad: Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002: Second Stage (Resumed). (6 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I, too, would like to congratulate the Minister on his promotion and wish him well in the important Department of which he is now the political head. When the office of ombudsman was first established in Sweden in 1806, there were two ombudsmen — the military ombudsman and the justice ombudsman. It was, therefore, regarded as very important that there should be an ombudsman for military...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: Last Sunday, 30 school children from Drogheda got into severe distress in the Mourne Mountains. Luckily, nobody died. While I am not here to assign blame, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to explain why there appear to be no guidelines in this area. Very strict guidelines exist in this area in Northern Ireland about the ratio of teachers...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Maurice Hayes: It may be a good thing but, then again, it may not. We should be aware of the poverty trap whereby people who go marginally over thresholds suffer great losses. Perhaps we could ask the Minister to address the matter on some occasion in the House as part of a discussion of a broader issue than that of medical cards.

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (30 Sep 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I could shorten my contribution by saying I agree with almost everything Senator Moylan has said. His suggestions all seem to be eminently practical and sensible and would help the working of the Seanad. It has been an honour and a pleasure for me to be a Member of the Seanad and to have been the Taoiseach's nominee on two occasions. That could be taken as an argument for continuing the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Maurice Hayes: No, the Leader is far too young.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Maurice Hayes: It is appropriate that I too should join in welcoming the visit of my friends and neighbours in the DUP to Dublin. These are people I have met and with whom I have done business over the years. They are formidable people and represent a formidable body of opinion. I thoroughly concur with Senator Mansergh about the importance of inclusiveness. I am encouraged by the atmosphere in which the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Maurice Hayes: While Senator O'Meara encourages me, I was slightly irritated to hear even her refer to the downgrading of hospitals.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Sep 2004)

Maurice Hayes: It is a pity that we use that sort of shorthand. It is appropriate for hospitals to give up some surgical interventions so they are better able to look after chronic diseases and diseases of the aged — a subject which interests me more every morning when I look in the mirror. I wish to reassure any members of the farming community who might be surprised or concerned about having a woman...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I support Senator Ormonde's request for a debate on Northern Ireland. It would be timely. Much has happened over the summer. It looks like events are moving in a reasonable direction and I hope we can have a debate and be brought up to date before too long. I note the case of the social welfare applicant who is required to refund money paid in error. I had some experience of such cases as an...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Jun 2004)

Maurice Hayes: The Minister of State will get a fair wind for this legislation and everybody in the House supports what she is trying to achieve. I congratulate her on it. It is a considerable advance on the version that preceded it. I have had a deep interest in this subject for many years as I was engaged in that policy field for some time. It is important to ensure that as many children as possible can...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (30 Jun 2004)

Maurice Hayes: I welcome the Minister. I join those who have paid tribute to the work of the Civil Service Commissioners and local appointments commissioners over the years. They have done sterling service for this country in establishing probity and integrity of procedures, and in ensuring the quality and the independence of the Civil Service. Like Senator Leyden, I also remember the rich literature and...