Results 61-80 of 1,441 for speaker:Ann Phelan

1916 Quarter Development Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (16 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the House for the opportunity to reply to some of the contributions made on this Private Members' Bill. I have listened carefully to the proponents of the Bill and have noted that the main concerns appear to be the importance of the Rising to the history of our State, together with the importance of commemorating it appropriately, as well as extending the preservation and...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 564 to 569, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: The LEADER element of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 will provide €250 million in financial resources to support the development of sustainable rural communities. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is conducting a two stage process for the selection of local development strategies to support the delivery of the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme Projects (15 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development, there are 35 Local Action Groups contracted on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP) are the Local Action Group for the North EastMayo area and, as such, are the principal decision-makers in relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Rural Development Programme Funding (15 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced a €30m investment to support Town and Village regeneration. The new scheme will support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages with the aim of improving the living and working environment in rural communities and enhancing their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. The new scheme is proposed as part...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Departmental Funding (15 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Funding for the type of measure referred to may be available under the Dormant Accounts legislation whereby balances on dormant accounts with banks, building societies and An Post are paid into the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency. The primary purpose of the legislation is to reunite the original account holders with their moneys, including...

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 12, after line 23, to insert the following: “PART 5 MISCELLANEOUS Taking of certain persons from prison for the purposes of deportation or removal from the State 24.(1) Where a person who is serving a sentence of imprisonment is subject to— (a) a deportation order under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 or an order made under...

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 2: In page 12, after line 23, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 41 of Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 25.Section 41 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 is amended by adding the following: “For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the reference in this section to the executing of any warrants does not include a reference...

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, line 7, after “enactments;” to insert the following: “to make provision, in respect of certain persons who are serving sentences of imprisonment, for the purposes of deportation or removal from the State;”.

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, line 7, after “enactments;” to insert “to amend the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851;”.

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to the debate. Their contributions have been very good and interesting. While they all may not have spoken specifically to the Bill, we have been given much food for thought. The Prisons Bill finally delivers on the calls to close St. Patrick's Institution which, as we know, go back over 30 years. Achievement of the goal set out in the programme...

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present the Prisons Bill 2015 to the House on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality who has been unavoidably detained on other important business. The main purpose of the Bill is to facilitate the complete closing of St. Patrick's Institution. The Bill will repeal statutory provisions that enable the courts to...

Prisons Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Instruction to Committee (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move:That, pursuant to Standing Order 177, Standing Order 131 is modified to permit an instruction to the Committee on the Prisons Bill 2015 empowering it to make provision in the Bill in relation to:(a) certain persons who are serving sentences of imprisonment, for the purposes of deportation or removal from the State; and (b) amendment of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851;and to...

Courts Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. It is clear that the House recognises the importance of ensuring that the High Court and all other courts have the resources necessary to ensure the efficient processing of proceedings and actions. This is vital to the proper functioning of our justice system. Deputies Niall Collins and Ross raised the issue of the reform of the judicial...

Courts Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (14 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am delighted, on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, to have the opportunity to introduce the Courts Bill 2015 to the House and look forward to engaging with Members as we progress the Bill through the various Stages. The Bill is a single provision measure, having just one purpose, an increase in the maximum number of High...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I am glad to have the opportunity today to outline for the Members the provisions in the ninth Bill in the electoral area brought forward by this Government. This Short Bill contains four measures. Each is separate and distinct. The Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015 provides, as the name suggests, for amendments to existing electoral law. The need for these amendments has become...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I thank all the Senators for their positive remarks and their support for the Bill. We do not claim the Bill is the be-all and end-all to electoral ills but, nonetheless, the measures contained in it are very important. Senator Ó Domhnaill mentioned wider political reform. The Government has a fine record on political reform. In the area of political funding, we effectively banned...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I signalled the amendments on Second Stage. They provide for the inclusion of the Local Authority Members Association in the register of nominating bodies for Seanad panel member elections in the same way as the Bill for provides for the Association of Irish Local Government to be included. The amendments will give equal recognition to the two local government representative bodies for the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: I signalled this amendment on Second Stage and it provides for the amendment of section 4 of the Electoral Act 1997. The Act provides for the disclosure of donations by Members of the Oireachtas, MEPs, political parties and accounting units, election candidates and third parties. It also provides for the regulation of expenditure at Dáil, European and presidential elections by...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2015)

Ann Phelan: Nice try, Senator.