Results 21-40 of 204 for speaker:Lisa McDonald

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power. Any legislation that helps to protect the most vulnerable in society must be embraced wholeheartedly and, in that regard, I welcome the broad objectives of the Bill. Organised criminal gangs make substantial profits from the exploitation of poor people, both young and old. Organised crime across Europe and the world simply uses human...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I support Senator Coffey's comments in favour of a university for the south east. I have called for such a debate before now, so I hope the Minister will attend the House to get all these issues aired. The south east is the only region in the country that does not have a university and the young people there deserve one. I welcome last week's remarks by the president of the American Chamber...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I broadly welcome the amendments as the Bill goes some way towards alleviating the horrific issue of the trafficking of women. We have not gone far enough and we must criminalise the purchase of sexual services. Until we grasp that thorn and deal with that matter fully, we will never fully eliminate the problem of human trafficking. Various arguments have been put forward with regard to the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: There seems to be cross-party support for the broad thrust of Senator Mullen's amendments. As other speakers have said, there does not seem to be anything wrong with including the proposals in the legislation. To wait for future legislation in order to enshrine the principles on which we agree appears to me to be somewhat kicking to touch or putting it back to a different issue which could...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I note the Minister of State's response but I have deep reservations, as other Senators do. I ask him to reflect on this matter before Report Stage with the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the departmental officials. The Minister of State will have an opportunity to do so over the coming week.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: There is much merit in what Senator Mullen said. I am not sure it is a matter for this Bill but if we do not criminalise the purchase of sexual services, we do a huge disservice to women. I do not want to hear what was said on Second Stage that prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and that one cannot stop people from using prostitutes. I find that abhorrent. I would say...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: It is not a career choice. It is driven by drugs and cash-rich pimps. We saw an example of that during the week with the successful conviction of Martin Morgan. I look forward to his sentencing on Friday. A life sentence would not be long enough for the man who was involved in vile and disgusting activity. We need to look at the laws on brothel keeping, advertising and websites. I could...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Committee Stage. (26 Feb 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I do not mean to be difficult but I also do not wish to be a "yes" person. The Minister of State said he would welcome a public debate on prostitution. We will not get the legislation right to stop trafficking of persons, be they non-national or national, and the abuse that surrounds prostitution unless we address the issue. The debate needs to follow immediately after this discussion in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I welcome the opportunity to comment on this generous package of measures, which represents nearly half of all additional Government spending in the budget this year and brings spending on social welfare to nearly €17 billion. That is a long way from where we were ten or 15 years ago. The Government has again underlined its commitment to improving the position of those less well off in...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2008: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: Carers are the unsung heroes. We need to implement our commitment in Towards 2016 as soon as possible because these people very much deserve our help. The discussion of pensions in recent years has helped to highlight the importance of this area. This legislation deals with a number of issues in respect of pensions in general. Part 3 and sections 26 to 31, inclusive, provide for amendments...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: On behalf of Senator Walsh I thank the Minister for taking his views into consideration and incorporating them into the amendment.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I move amendment No. 39: In page 22, line 4, to delete "not".

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: We will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I move amendment No. 55: In page 30, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: "(2) Any such order made under this section shall be for a period not to exceed five years. (3) After the expiry period for each order the Minister shall conduct a review which will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, together with a copy of any new or renewal order.". I ask the Minister to respond...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I also add my support to this amendment. It is a sensible suggestion that protects the decisions of the Press Council so that they cannot be put in the hands of vested interests. I ask the Minister to consider the amendment.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I also thank the Minister for the time he gave to the Defamation Bill in the House. As the other Senators have said, he has taken a reflective approach taking into consideration the amendments that were given much hard thought and work by the various Senators. We have struck the right balance in the Bill between the person's right to a good name and freedom of expression and speech. A...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I cannot support the amendments. However, as I said on Committee Stage, the debate as regards prosecuting people for purchasing sexual services from prostitutes requires a wider debate and should have its own legislation. It is not just that aspect of this particular realm that should be included in that legislation. We need also to look at brothel keeping and the advertising of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I did not say that.

Seanad: Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007: Report and Final Stages (11 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: I, too, thank the Minister of State for his time during Committee and Report Stages of the debate on this matter. It has been a long night. I believe that once this Bill has passed through the Lower House, the message will go out that human trafficking internationally need not bother coming to our shores. Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime and I look forward to this badly...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Lisa McDonald: On a separate issue, I want to call for a debate on sexual offences against women. There has been an enormous number of murders involving women victims, violence against women in the home etc., and this area seems to be slipping on the political agenda. During the week we had a debate on human trafficking when the issue of prostitution arose and whether the users of such sexual services...