Results 181-200 of 273 for long speaker:Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: UN Conventions Ratification (1 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...but it is a meaningless statement. Ireland signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and is one of three EU member states yet to ratify. I agree it has taken too long and have no difficulty in accepting that, but different countries take different approaches. We take our international obligations very seriously and we do not ratify until we can...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (1 Dec 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...of Health allocated additional funding to Tallaght Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force in 2013 to support community safety fora in the Task Force area. This funding has helped to secure the long term sustainability of community safety initiatives developed by the estate management groups in Killinarden and Fettercairn in Tallaght. Every effort has been made to protect the budgets of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Child Care Costs (18 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...birth or adoption of a child. The leave may be taken until the child has reached the age of eight years with certain extensions permitted beyond that for adoptees and children with a disability or long-term illness. Parental leave is unpaid and unlike maternity leave does not attract a social welfare payment. The current legislation meets the requirements of the EU Directive giving...

Travellers' Rights: Motion [Private Members] (3 Nov 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...is no more reviled a community in our history, from the settled perspective, than the Traveller community. Is it any wonder that they feel isolated and disconnected? All they are asking for at this point in time is a new platform of interaction with their common citizens in this republic. Michael McDonagh, who is a long term advocate for Traveller rights, has spoken about how young...

European Council: Statements (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: This crisis will not be solved today, tomorrow, next week or next month. It will be with us for quite a long time. I thank Deputies for their comments and questions. I am pleased to have the opportunity to wrap up the debate on the outcome of the October European Council and touch on some of the issues on the agenda, including some that the Taoiseach did not have time to cover. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Culture Ireland: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ..., with artists’ fees usually covered by income generated at the international venues' box office. Culture Ireland has delivered high-profile events and special initiatives such as Imagine Ireland, a year-long programme in the US in 2011, the Culture Programme for Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013 and the Centenary International Culture Programme for 2016 which will be...

Choice of Court (Hague Convention) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (8 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: .... As Deputies may not be very familiar with the work of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, perhaps I could say a few words about that body. The Hague Conference is a body of long standing. It held its first meeting in 1893 and became a permanent intergovernmental organisation in 1955. Its 80 members are representative of all continents. In addition to the 28 member...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (1 Oct 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...; and the Office of Public Works. Significant progress towards ratification continues to be made and much has been accomplished. The requirement to enact suitable capacity legislation has long been one of the core obstacles to ratification of the Convention and the progress made in this area is a testament to the Government’s commitment to meeting the obligations of the CRPD...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...birth or adoption of a child. Such leave may be taken until the child has reached the age of eight years with certain extensions allowed in the case of adoptees and children with a disability or long-term illness. The Government has approved the drafting of a new Family Leave Bill to consolidate with amendments all existing family leave legislation such as carer’s leave,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...birth or adoption of a child. Such leave may be taken until the child has reached the age of eight years with certain extensions allowed in the case of adoptees and children with a disability or long-term illness.The leave may be taken as a continuous block of 18 weeks, or, if the employer agrees, broken up over a period of time. For example, the employee can take the leave as individual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Income Inequality (22 Sep 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...was 14.4% in 2012, below the EU average of 16.4%. This is the most recent data available on the gender pay gap in Ireland. The gender pay gap is of concern because it impacts on women’s life long earnings, economic independence, private pension provisions and risk of poverty in older years. There are many complex causes of the gap, including women’s increased likelihood...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...the definition risks leaving it unclear who can apply for the review. This sort of uncertainty has to be avoided, particularly given the urgency of making the review available to borrowers in long-term arrears who urgently need solutions. Second, the definition of "relevant debt" in subsection 18 targets the review at those who are most in need - people who are in mortgage arrears on...

Seanad: Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (16 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...an informal arrangement with their lenders, or who enter bankruptcy. That is why effective and early access to a PIA, where feasible, is an option of central importance for people struggling with long-term mortgage arrears. The new court review is a key reform, designed to ensure that fair and sustainable debt restructuring proposals are upheld for borrowers who want to work their way...

Social Services and Support: Motion [Private Members] (14 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: .... The Government is strongly committed to protecting and advancing the policies and services necessary to promote all aspects of growing older. Maintaining good health is the key to living well for longer. Older people are now staying healthy for longer than was previously the case. It is important society supports us all as we age, as well as providing access to high quality health...

Topical Issue Debate: National Monuments (9 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...and fitting tribute to the 1916 leaders who held their final war council meeting there. This decision by the Government was made to bring the national monument into public ownership, secure its long-term future and complete the development of the proposed 1916 commemorative centre as quickly as possible. The Government's decision will not in any way be affected, delayed or otherwise...

Topical Issue Debate: National Monuments (9 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...possible demonstration of the Government's commitment to acknowledge and mark the historical importance of the site in a positive and substantive way and to guarantee, secure and safeguard the long-term future of this historical landmark. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is actively engaged with the monument owners and other relevant parties to conclude the transfer of...

Topical Issue Debate: Cancer Screening Programmes (9 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ..., represent a significant step forward in dealing with prostate cancer in Ireland. Survival from cancer has improved markedly in recent years and is expected to increase further when the long-term effects of the reforms in cancer care under the current cancer strategy, including screening programmes, impact more fully. However, it is predicted that the total number of cancer cases...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ...procedure, to ensure we can have a full discussion on each and every aspect of the Bill and the amendments I am recommending be made to it. Given the additions I am proposing to the Bill, the Long Title has been amended to reflect these changes, including references to the relevant EU directives, the Pensions Acts 1990 to 2014, the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2012, the Employment Equality...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: I am going to miss section 37 when it has been enacted. It has been a part of my life for the last three years. This was a long and tortuous process and many of us worked hard on a cross-party basis to bring the Bill to this stage. We are now at the heart of the Bill and, while I am conscious that it has not been possible to have a real debate on the text and options previously because the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: National Drugs Strategy: Minister of State at the Department of Health (9 Jul 2015)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: How long do I have to respond?