Results 121-140 of 1,117,001 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:George Lee OR speaker:Roderic O'Gorman OR speaker:Martin Kenny OR speaker:Brendan Griffin OR speaker:Colm Burke OR speaker:Peadar Tóibín OR speaker:Mary Lou McDonald OR speaker:Jim O'Callaghan OR speaker:Paul Donnelly OR speaker:Patricia Ryan OR speaker:Michael Healy-Rae OR speaker:Michael Ring OR speaker:Paul Murphy OR speaker:Matt Carthy OR speaker:Seán Haughey OR speaker:Colm Brophy OR speaker:Michael Creed OR speaker:Jackie Cahill OR speaker:Patrick Costello OR speaker:Mairead Farrell OR speaker:Peter Burke OR speaker:Anne Rabbitte OR speaker:David Stanton OR speaker:Neale Richmond OR speaker:Brendan Smith OR speaker:Mick Barry OR speaker:Gary Gannon OR speaker:Dara Calleary OR speaker:Cian O'Callaghan OR speaker:Willie O'Dea OR speaker:Danny Healy-Rae OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh26 OR speaker:Michael Fitzmaurice OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh28 OR speaker:Carol Nolan OR speaker:Aengus Ó Snodaigh06 OR speaker:Mattie McGrath OR speaker:Ivana Bacik OR speaker:Simon Harris OR speaker:Brendan Howlin)

Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 Oct 2024)

Catherine Connolly: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Fáiltím roimh an deis cúpla focal a rá faoin ábhar seo. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach. Aontaím leis an mBille agus aontaím go bhfuil gá práinneach leis an mBille a chur tríd an Dáil. I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this. The Minister has...

Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 Oct 2024)

Jennifer Whitmore: I also welcome this legislation and commend the Minister on bringing it to this point. I hope we will get it through all the processes. It seems the Minister is determined to do so and that is welcome. This is a very important Bill to close all the gaps we have seen in legislation relating to maternity leave in recent years. The provision on illness is particularly important. The...

Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 Oct 2024)

Roderic O'Gorman: It is built in.

Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 Oct 2024)

Jennifer Whitmore: I am delighted to hear that because it is really important. With regard to maternity leave for Oireachtas Members that is also very welcome and something we have been waiting a long time for. To date we have expected women either not to serve as politicians or to hide when they get pregnant and not go back to work. We made it very difficult for them. Enabling this is something I hope...

Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 Oct 2024)

Claire Kerrane: Deputy Sherlock is most welcome. I thank the Minister and welcome this important legislation. It is clear the Minister was very adamant this was done and passed and that we would move swiftly to do so. I commend him in this regard. This legislation has important elements. I welcome them and acknowledge all the Minister's work in this regard. Allowing the postponement of maternity leave...

Maternity Protection Bill 2024 [Seanad]: Second Stage (17 Oct 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I commend the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, on bringing forward this legislation into these sittings of the Oireachtas. It may be recalled that on 20 March this year, I introduced the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024. It sought, in effect, to do exactly the same as the Minister is seeking to do in this legislation. Obviously, I am...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: A delegation from the Czech Republic has been unable to join us. We wish its members all the best on their journey home tomorrow morning. Next on the agenda is the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting. The minutes were deferred so we are okay. I will read some formal notices before going any further. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: Citizens abroad are interested in this. We spoke about this earlier in a private meeting.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: Brazilians in their thousands voted here a couple of months ago. At the minute, Americans are voting in their election.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: The opening statement mentions that the Irish diaspora stay connected to their homeland through their parents and family. Some of them have property. Do our guests think granting this voting right would increase that interest and connection with Ireland overall?

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: If they are making decisions, that will have an impact.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes, they can vote by proxy now.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: People can nominate someone else to vote in their place. It is called a proxy vote.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: Before the petitioners go any further, I wish to let them know about the permanent postal or proxy vote. To apply for a permanent postal or proxy vote, one must have a valid reason. It includes the following: illness or disability, being away from home for education reasons, and being away from home for reasons of work or employment. That is the system in Northern Ireland for nominating a...

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: In Northern Ireland, the proxy vote applies to the general public even. I could nominate a family member or somebody in the community-----

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: Yes.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: That is the postal vote for Defence Forces personnel who are out of the country.

Committee on Public Petitions: Consideration of Public Petition on Voting for Irish-born Citizens Abroad: Discussion (17 Oct 2024)

Martin Browne: It is crazy in that if Martha and I were outside the country at the same time, and I were on holidays and she on business, she could vote while I would not be able to do so. It makes no sense. If you can vote when out of the country for work, why should you not be able to vote if you are out of the country on holiday. There is no difference.