Results 41-60 of 204 for speaker:Lisa McDonald

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I oppose the amendment. I am not sure whether it will be pressed. I welcome the announcement that the community welfare officers will be transferred to the Department of Social Protection. That represents an holistic move. It is far better to have the staff within the one Department. We may need to examine the relationship between the RAS and local councils. I support the Minister's idea...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: It is noteworthy that, in respect of the PRTB, council houses are exempt. If they were brought within-----

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I know but private people are living in them. From my experience as a constituency politician trying to get councils to make improvements to houses, I believe it would be far more helpful to have them brought under the auspices of the PRTB.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I thank the Minister and the officials at the Department for giving of their time on the Bill. It is clear they have put a lot of work into the Bill which makes radical procedural changes to our criminal law. The rule against double jeopardy, as Senator Bacik stated, has been in place for a very long time. The exceptions provided for in the Bill give teeth to the Director of Public...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I have often raised this issue, which is open to abuse. Although the amendment warrants serious redrafting, the issue of significant maintenance payments being made under the table and not declared remains. A good way to address this would be to attach the earnings of the non-custodial parent to the claim or have the Courts Service notify the Department of maintenance orders. That would...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: A debate on this issue would be welcome. While the amendment might not be relevant to the legislation, it warrants consideration.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I echo much of what has been said on this amendment which Senator McCarthy has indicated he will withdraw. This is a very significant area. Senator Walsh has given an example and there are many examples in ordinary life where fathers are really not that interested in knowing their child even though they are living down the road. Being a parent brings responsibility and for a long time in...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I welcome the Minister's amendment to the definition of "compelling evidence". The opportunity of a re-trial in the criminal code, as advanced in the Bill, will strengthen our criminal law. The definition makes clear what is required in order for there to be a retrial, which will protect all concerned. The term "probative value of the evidence being adduced" will ensure the State's time is...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (13 Jul 2010)

Lisa McDonald: I welcome the refinement of this section. As the Minister said, the protection of the right to jury trial is paramount to all accused and acquitted. The clarification in respect of the Supreme Court's decision when dealing with prejudice appeals and evidential rulings is welcome. I believe this section strengthens the Bill.

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

Lisa McDonald: I oppose the amendment, too. The inclusion of the word "partnership" is fine, but the inclusion of the term "non-marital relationships" could cover many forms of relationship not of an intimate variety. There can be partnerships in business, etc. This change would water down the Title of the Bill and make it so broad that it would cover almost every form of relationship in society. Each...

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

Lisa McDonald: The amendments, as drafted, have some merit, as does Senator Mullen's contribution. For too long, we have swept under the carpet issues related to children and their welfare. I do not want to say there is blood on many people's hands on that issue, but we do not have a proud history in the manner in which we have dealt with children's rights. As a matter of urgency we need to bring forward...

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

Lisa McDonald: I welcome the Minister to the House to debate the ground breaking legislation before us, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009. I am honoured to make the first contribution on behalf of my party in the Seanad. As a young law student in UCD in 1992, I recall reading about the Norris case and being astounded at the inequality in our society. I was...

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

Lisa McDonald: In 18 years time, I would not be upset to find out that one of my two young children was gay because that is the way a person is born. However, I would be upset about the prejudice and intolerance my child would face in society. Today we are taking a step towards stamping out that hatred. As leaders, we cannot tolerate racism or inequity in our society. For too long, our laws have been...

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

Lisa McDonald: A couple of red herrings have been thrown into this debate. One of them concerns the opt-out clause for conscientious objectors or a register of people who do not wish to officiate at ceremonies for two gay people. It has also been suggested that if a gay couple want to hold their wedding breakfast in a parish hall, the local church leaders should be able to refuse them. This would be a...

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

Lisa McDonald: I accept the Minister's bona fides when he states he will move quickly on this issue. While the part of the Bill dealing with cohabitees may be smaller than that dealing with same-sex couples, as I have stated frequently, cohabitees also need protection. We must realise that an estimated 10% of the population are gay, although it is possible that many more people are living in denial or...

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

Lisa McDonald: I am glad Senator Walsh went into more detail, despite the late hour, because he gave us a broader understanding of where he is coming from. I fundamentally disagree with him in much of what he said. I still believe what the Minister is saying is correct. There is absolutely no need for the amendments because as a society we have come to the position of civil status. To suggest that there...

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

Lisa McDonald: The Senator did suggest it.

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

Lisa McDonald: Senator Walsh stated that if there is no procreation in a marriage, it is like any other relationship.

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

Lisa McDonald: We must be honest.

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

Lisa McDonald: That was my understanding of what Senator Walsh said.