Results 101-120 of 198 for like to work speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (15 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Bill is well overdue and I welcome its publication. This chaotic Government tried to kick this issue to touch for as long as it could in asking the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to look at the issue. Both committees were emphatic that we had to move to one-year bankruptcy but still months were allowed...

Ramming of Garda Vehicles Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I apologise for not being present when it was my turn to be called. We support the motivations behind the Bill. In Donegal, we lost two fine officers, Gary McLoughlin and Robbie McCallion, in 2009. Killed in the line of duty, they were the victims of reckless drivers. It was devastating for our communities and, most of all, their families. It was a sad time in Donegal, so I sympathise...

International Protection Bill 2015: Second Stage (10 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: This Bill promised to ensure asylum seekers were treated with respect and humanity within a framework of more efficient immigration procedures and safeguards. While Sinn Féin welcomes these attempts, the Bill fails to achieve those aims. It fails to embed the principle of the best interests of the child and the attendant weaknesses which will potentially expose children to harm. It...

Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: From the Seanad (9 Dec 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am pleased to have another opportunity, by way of these amendments from the Seanad, to outline my perspective on the progress of this Bill since its introduction. I read with some intrigue the news reports in recent weeks, most of which entirely miss the point of what the legislation is about. Sometimes in these Houses we operate in something of a bubble and get caught up in policy and...

Travellers' Rights: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (4 Nov 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I also listened to Deputy Barry's speech and his appeal that we respect free speech. I point out to him that hundreds of Irish citizens felt it was acceptable to log on to thejournal.iewebsite and give a thumbs-down to expressions of sympathy, including a simple "rest in peace" and "my heart goes out to the families" from decent Irish citizens about the fact that ten human beings - ten Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Community Alert Programme: Muintir na Tíre (4 Nov 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ..., is more resources for community alert and text alert programmes. I am a big supporter of these programmes, having seen waves of crime and criminal gangs so many times in Donegal. The only way to truly defeat them is with the community working hand in hand with An Garda Síochána. I love the idea of whole swathes of townlands looking out for suspicious behaviour and, in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: White Paper on Defence: Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (4 Nov 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am delighted to hear it. Deputy Stanton is passionate about it, and he is a champion of the RDF and the wider Defence Forces. It has not always been the case through this five-year term and I am pleased it is the case now. Regarding unemployed reservists, we support the concept of a defence contribution to employment support schemes for 18 to 24 year olds. The RDFRA is enthusiastic...

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013: Report Stage (21 Oct 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...must comply with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. That is the key concern they have and, obviously, it is an important one. I ask that the Minister of State continues to engage with these civil society partners who work at the frontline. In fairness to the Minister of State, I acknowledge that she very much respects that. It is notable that on Committee and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (20 Oct 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...officers, county managers and a range of key stakeholders. I met senior gardaí and PSNI officers in my role as justice spokesperson and strongly believe that we need a joint task force. We need to join up the capacity on the island to tackle the problem. I do not need to remind the Minister that the problem has cost us hundreds of millions of euro over the years, which money could...

EU Council Decisions on Measures in the Area of International Protection: Motions (1 Oct 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Sinn Féin, of course, will support the motion. However, I would like to make a number of comments and outline our ten-point plan, which we offer to the Minister and her senior officials for consideration as part of their deliberations, towards the end of my contribution. This crisis is not a new one. A few years ago, I visited Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, which have been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Reports: Mr. Peter Tyndall (30 Sep 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Obviously, the Ombudsman and his team will work diplomatically to find solutions. Where they feel this poses a problem, we encourage them to report to this committee. We are more than happy to follow up on cases. We see it as a core part of our responsibility. With regard to some of the issues the Ombudsman has raised today, I propose that we write to the Minister for Public Expenditure...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Reports: Mr. Peter Tyndall (30 Sep 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We are on the same wavelength because that was the next point I was going to make. With the agreement of members, we will write to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on resources for the Ombudsman's office, as has arisen today. Second, we will write about clinical judgments and, third, about direct provision. Considering that our committee and the judicial working group have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Office of the Ombudsman Reports: Mr. Peter Tyndall (30 Sep 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...your guidance on that. What we will do regarding the first clarification point is state we are aware that discussions are ongoing and that we encourage a positive approach. Second, we will refer to our committee's findings and obviously those of Mr. Justice McMahon and the working group. When the Ombudsman for Children appeared before us, we dealt with professional legal privilege....

Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (23 Sep 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...many years. They changed lives that day when they campaigned and marched for rights. Those people faced discrimination and intimidation and were labelled second-class citizens. Those people stood tall when others tried to bring them down on their knees. They knocked on doors, wore badges, spoke to their friends and built the movement for change and the movement for equality. These are...

Appointment of Chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission: Motion (16 Jul 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: ...Síochána Act 2005 and considering ways of strengthening GSOC, having a policing authority, ensuring the accountability of the Garda and setting up new structures. One of our recommendations was to replace the current three-person commission with one ombudsman, as is the case in the North and other jurisdictions. We need to move to such a structure where the buck would stop with...

Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (14 Jul 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Amendment No. 13 is the most important aspect as it deals with the infamous bank veto. After the Opposition repeatedly raised its concerns, we finally got a promise that the banks' veto would be scrapped. Is the veto gone? In some cases, it is subject to the courts, while in other cases it is not clear at all, from our interpretation. If someone falls into arrears after 2 January this...

White Paper on Defence: Statements (30 Jun 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I take this opportunity to welcome the news tonight of the appointment of Rear Admiral Mark Mellett as chief of staff of the Defence Forces. It was my pleasure to join the Oireachtas justice committee when we were hosted at Haulbowline. We viewed the facilities and learned about the exciting plans for the Naval Service. We also had the opportunity to look at the Irish maritime energy...

Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) (Amendment) Bill 2014 [Seanad]: Second Stage (24 Jun 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. First, like Deputies on all sides of the House, I understand the growing international aspect of crime. It is obvious that crime does not confine itself behind borders. As legislators, it is our job to be aware of such dynamics and play our part in making sure that such crime is combatted so that our communities are safe. Sinn Féin...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Global Resettlement Needs and Related Matters: UNHCR (24 Jun 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Earlier this year, I read that Ireland was the only country in the world that had a population smaller today than it had in the early 1800s. Ms Magennis will know this. Another statistic is that, according to a book written by Mr. Raymond Crotty, entitled Ireland in Crisis: A Study in Capitalist Colonial Undevelopment, half of those who survived childhood during the 65-year period between...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (17 Jun 2015)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: At the same time every year, these motions come before the House and are opposed by Sinn Féin. Every year, we request that proper time be allocated to a debate on the motions but our requests are always denied and the motions are passed. This happens even though the legislation fundamentally undermines human rights, civil liberties and democratic life in this State. There is...