Results 281-300 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018: From the Seanad (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: We really hope that Fianna Fáil Deputies will not do a U-turn on this and that they do not hide behind this wonderful contraption called confidence and supply. The public services card project is a ticking time bomb for the Government as far as we are concerned. If by chance Fianna Fáil Deputies were to do a U-turn on it, it might not look great on their record when the trouble...

Confidence in the Minister for Health: Motion (Resumed) (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: The Taoiseach and Tánaiste told us there was a gross underestimate of the cost of building the hospital. Who underestimated it? Was it BAM? The contract was awarded on foot of a competition. BAM told the Government what it would cost. If there was a scope change, then the price would obviously go up, but if the scope was not determined, why did the Government go for a fixed price...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: 58. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of direct build social houses delivered by all 31 local authorities in 2018 excluding those built by approved housing bodies and Part V; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8471/19]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites Levy (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: 34. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that the changes introduced in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018, specifically the removal of provisions in the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2018 relating to reduced rates of vacant site levy being applied in situations in which a site loan exceeds specific percentages of the market...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Development Agency (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: 35. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the fact that the Land Development Agency is not accessible under freedom of information; if information relating to the work of the agency to date on the number of staff employed, external advisers employed and fees associated with both staff and external advisors will be published; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: 41. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether legislation allowing developers to deliver 10% of social housing units required per development off site is acceptable in the housing emergency in Dublin and nationally; if the legislation relating to this exemption will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8472/19]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Development Agency (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: 61. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of staff he expects to be seconded from NAMA and the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, to the Land Development Agency; if he has had discussions with the Minister for Finance and his officials in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8473/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: I thank the witnesses for the contributions but I think I am more confused now than I was at the start. I am sure after listening to the witnesses and the other groups coming in, we will have much food for thought. It looks like it will be very difficult to make things as good as we would like them to be. The witnesses seem to agree that resources will be a big challenge and it will cost...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: Despite the existence of Article 42A, the voice of the child is still not being heard. Deputy O'Callaghan has made the point that it will be very difficult to bring it about. It is a huge challenge. Under the 2015 Act, the appointment of a child's view expert is entirely at the discretion of the court. There is no guidance in the Act on what should happen in cases in which the court...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: It is directed to all of the delegates who are all well versed in the law.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: The Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 sets the maximum fee for a child's view report at €325. Mr. Walsh has made the point that in a lot of cases this amount would not cover the cost of a report, but for many families, it is too high. Am I correct that the delegates are recommending that the State put in place a mechanism to foot the bill? If so, how would it be managed and how would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: On the inappropriateness of the setting in dealing with criminal issues, the delegates mentioned that the existing buildings were not suitable. Are there spaces within existing court buildings that could be refurbished and made good? Do we need new buildings or should we consider using different settings? For example, could a school building be modified and used part time for this purpose?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: I think Dr. Saidléar has said many cases of child sexual violence end up being dealt with in family law settings, rather than the criminal justice system. We know that conviction rates are incredibly low in cases of child sexual violence. I think I read that they are at a figure of 4%. As well as the low rates, the courts are not gathering statistics for child sexual or domestic...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: I have two final questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: Yes, I will. Dr. O'Mahony said that we do not need a constitutional amendment for the establishment of a specialised family court. What legislative changes does he envisage as being necessary? The Law Society recommends establishing it within the Circuit Court system, whereas he suggests that family law divisions should be set up within the District, Circuit and High Courts. In terms of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Reform of the Family Law System: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: I thank the witnesses.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Services Card (19 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: 51. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the final report on the Data Protection Commissioner's investigation into the public services card will be published; if a full or summary report will be published; the reason a full report would not be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8093/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Services Card (19 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: There are many regulators in Ireland, most of which, including, for example, GSOC, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, provide clear pathways to track enforcements on imports. The Data Protection Commission appears to have looked at a wide range of issues in one form or another, yet there is no clear record of reports or enforcement...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Services Card (19 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: In the interests of transparency, we hope that when the report is eventually made available, the Minister will publish it. Transparency certainly helps. It is amazing that the Department's response to the Data Protection Commissioner's inquiry, at this late stage in the history of the public services card's roll-out, requires such a protracted, extended defence. This is the largest...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Services Card (19 Feb 2019)

Mick Wallace: The Minister is saying the card is optional. Have payments been withheld from anyone who does not have it?