DOCSLIB.ORG

Dáil Éireann

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dáil Éireann Vol. 960 Wednesday, No. 5 18 October 2017 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 18/10/2017A00100Water Services Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 493 18/10/2017E00400Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Order for Report Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 501 18/10/2017E00700Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 501 18/10/2017F00100Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: From the Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 502 18/10/2017K00100Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 513 18/10/2017O00600Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 523 18/10/2017S00950Departmental Communications � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 535 18/10/2017T01150Cabinet Committee Meetings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 539 18/10/2017V00650EU Summits � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 543 18/10/2017GG00200Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 567 18/10/2017GG00400Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 568 18/10/2017GG00500Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 568 18/10/2017GG00550Air Corps � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 568 18/10/2017HH00150Defence Forces Investigations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 571 18/10/2017JJ00900Defence Forces Representative Organisations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 573 18/10/2017KK00450Defence Forces Strength � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 577 18/10/2017LL00100EU Bodies� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 579 18/10/2017LL00850Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 581 18/10/2017LL00900Defence Forces Operations� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 581 18/10/2017NN00450Defence Forces Personnel � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 585 18/10/2017OO00250Defence Forces Representative Organisations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 587 18/10/2017OO01000Military Neutrality � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 589 18/10/2017QQ00300Personal Explanation by Member � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 592 18/10/2017QQ00500Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 592 18/10/2017QQ00600Garda Resources � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 592 18/10/2017RR00300Garda Deployment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 595 18/10/2017SS00450Flood Risk Management � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 599 18/10/2017UU00150Coastal Protection� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 602 18/10/2017ZZ00100Correcting Pension Inequities: Motion [Private Members]� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 606 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 18 Deireadh Fómhair 2017 Wednesday, 18 October 2017 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 18/10/2017A00100Water Services Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) Question again proposed: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time�” 18/10/2017A00200Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice: Obstacles are being put in front of Irish Water such as in Lough Talt in Sligo where it is willing to put in a new system to upgrade the water quality because of the danger of trihalomethanes, THMs� Water has been extracted here for 30 or 40 years by Sligo County Council but now, because of new regulations and even though the same water is coming out today, the council will not give Irish Water an extraction licence, which is absolutely crazy� Water pipes remained safe but if anything was learned from the storm in the last few days it was that there was a problem with electricity not being restored quickly� Obviously, reservoirs would not be big enough to keep many parts of the country going for a few days, especially in large urban areas� We were caught out in a few places� This should have been done years ago� It is not just about Irish Water in that the councils should have backup generators to ensure we were able to keep the flow of water going. This is one lesson that needs to be learned from the storm in certain areas� In fairness, however, people have been on the ball and things are up and running again in most regions� I believe it was an oversight� Maintenance of the lines is also an issue� Down through the years it is the one thing that has not been done� Anybody who understands the water system will know that one must scour the lines� This is the cleaning of the lines from A to B to C right to the end of the pipe� Unfor- tunately, in Ireland we do not seem to have a proper programme for doing this� Many places appear to be understaffed; they are busy doing connections or making sure other problems are sorted� Line maintenance, however, does not seem to be done� This is why Deputies get calls from people telling us about dirty water or little molecules in their water� The lack of line main- tenance is the reason for this� If it was done on a three-monthly basis, four times per year, we would have absolutely no problem in many cases� It has not been done down through the years; it is not only now� A proper programme needs to be set up� 493 Dáil Éireann I have worked in the water sector for many years and Ervia gives the impression that the paperwork seems to have multiplied by a thousand� From my understanding of the Bord Gáis Energy side of Ervia, they love paperwork also� The Department should make sure we address this situation� There are many smaller contractors in the State who, because of the recession, would not have had a big turnover in recent years� The money was not being spent� They then had to reach certain thresholds to tender for contracts� In so doing, we were cutting it down to just a few contractors� I believe this is by design� The small contractors covered all the group water schemes and the public schemes right around the State� There may have been ten in each county� These smaller contractors are now being sidelined and are being made into sub- contractors, because one big crowd has taken it over� This costs more money because everyone has to have a slice of the loaf� We should make sure that everybody is given an opportunity� We must remember the amount of work that has to be done and that it will give employment to areas� There are water pipes everywhere around the country and it will give employment to people in all regions but the culture of paperwork is an issue� When I worked in the water sector, I remember bringing pipes right around Ireland and I saw some of the biggest pipelines being laid� Nowadays, the volume of paperwork required to be completed before even a bucket is put in the ground is so unbelievable people are tearing their hair out over it� We need to look at how our processes can be simplified. Another issue is the delay in the granting of permission to order equipment such as pumps and so on� While most small operations would have at least one spare pump and larger ones would often have two often by the time permission is granted to order a new one the spare one is also out of action and panic ensues� This is pure stupidity in terms of how the process operates� I would like the Department, and in particular the Minister, to address a situation in the west� Decisions on group water schemes by Galway County Council have slowed down dramati- cally� I am not blaming the council for this� I understand that owing to absences due to illness and staff transferring to other areas of work within the council there is only a skeleton staff in Galway County Council� In one case involving an upgrade of a group water scheme, all of the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Brochure: Ireland's Meps 2019-2024 (EN) (Pdf 2341KB)
    Clare Daly Deirdre Clune Luke Ming Flanagan Frances Fitzgerald Chris MacManus Seán Kelly Mick Wallace Colm Markey NON-ALIGNED Maria Walsh 27MEPs 40MEPs 18MEPs7 62MEPs 70MEPs5 76MEPs 14MEPs8 67MEPs 97MEPs Ciarán Cuffe Barry Andrews Grace O’Sullivan Billy Kelleher HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Printed in November 2020 in November Printed MIDLANDS-NORTH-WEST DUBLIN SOUTH Luke Ming Flanagan Chris MacManus Colm Markey Group of the European United Left - Group of the European United Left - Group of the European People’s Nordic Green Left Nordic Green Left Party (Christian Democrats) National party: Sinn Féin National party: Independent Nat ional party: Fine Gael COMMITTEES: COMMITTEES: COMMITTEES: • Budgetary Control • Agriculture and Rural Development • Agriculture and Rural Development • Agriculture and Rural Development • Economic and Monetary Affairs (substitute member) • Transport and Tourism Midlands - North - West West Midlands - North - • International Trade (substitute member) • Fisheries (substitute member) Barry Andrews Ciarán Cuffe Clare Daly Renew Europe Group Group of the Greens / Group of the European United Left - National party: Fianna Fáil European Free Alliance Nordic Green Left National party: Green Party National party: Independents Dublin COMMITTEES: COMMITTEES: COMMITTEES: for change • International Trade • Industry, Research and Energy • Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs • Development (substitute member) • Transport and Tourism • International Trade (substitute member) • Foreign Interference in all Democratic •
    [Show full text]
  • Hon. Mr President of the European Parliament, Dear David Sassoli
    Hon. Mr President of the European Parliament, Dear David Sassoli, Since March, when the outbreak of COVID-19 intensified in Europe, the functioning of the European Parliament (EP) has changed dramatically, due to the sanitary measures applied. We understand the inevitability of the contingency plan, taking into account the need to prevent infection and the spread of the virus and to protect the health and lives of people. Six months later, the functioning of the EP is gradually returning to normal. However, there are services whose unavailability seriously impairs parliamentary work, namely the interpretation service. The European Union (EU) has 24 official languages and all deserve the same respect and treatment. We recognize that the number of languages available in committee meeting rooms has been increasing, but even so, more than half of the languages still have no interpretation. Multilingualism is a right enshrined in the Treaties that allows Members to express themselves in their own language. Now, that is not happening and we are concerned that the situation will continue, even taking into account the expected workflow in the commissions after these atypical six months. In this sense, we appeal, once again, to you, the President of the EP for the application of the letter and the spirit of the principle of multilingualism, finding solutions that respect this principle and that allow the use of any of the 24 official languages of the EU. The expression of each deputy in her/his own language is a priority so that there can be conditions to fully exercise the mandate for which she/he was elected and a condition of respect for the citizens who elected her/him.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eurozone Banking Crisis
    THE EUROZONE BANKING CRISIS DID THE ECB AND THE BANKS COLLUDE TO HIDE LOSSES, THUS DISTORTING THEIR OWN BALANCE SHEETS? By CORMAC BUTLER and ED HEAPHY Commissioned by Luke Ming Flanagan MEP 1 Table of Contents 2 FOREWORD by Luke Ming Flanagan MEP ................................................................... 1 2.1 New currency launched – already holed below the water-line..............................................1 2.2 The ECB ...................................................................................................................................1 2.3 Heaphy and Butler – posing pertinent questions ...................................................................1 2.4 EXTRACT FROM PAUL DE GRAUWE FINANCIAL TIMES ARTICLE – 20/02/1998:.....................2 3 BIOGRAPHIES ............................................................................................................ 3 3.1 Cormac Butler .........................................................................................................................3 3.2 Ed Heaphy ...............................................................................................................................4 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................... 5 4.1 IAS 39 makes its appearance ..................................................................................................6 4.2 Cause and Consequence .........................................................................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Activity Report 2020 European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland Europe House 12-14 Lower Mount Street Dublin D02 W710 Tel
    The European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland Annual activity report 2020 European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland Europe House 12-14 Lower Mount Street Dublin D02 W710 Tel. +353 (0)1 6057900 Website: www.europarl.ie Facebook: @EPinIreland Twitter: @EPinIreland and @EPIreland_Edu Instagram: @ep_ireland © European Union/EP, 2021 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Contents Contents 3 Top Posts and Tweets in 2020 34 Top Content Highlighting MEPs’ Work 36 Introduction 5 Top Content on Cooperation with other Members of the Organisations and MEPs 39 European Parliament for Ireland 6 Top Content Produced by EPLO Dublin 40 Remote Plenary Sessions 7 Strategy 41 Social Media Data Overview 41 Outreach Activities 10 Cross-border activities 13 Activities for young people 42 Regular newsletter 17 European Parliament Ambassador School Campaigns 18 Programme (EPAS) 42 International Women’s Day 18 Euroscola 44 Charlemagne Youth Prize 19 Information visits to Europe House Europeans Against COVID-19 19 in Dublin 45 European Citizen’s Prize 21 Blue Star Programme 45 Lux Audience Award 21 Other youth activities 46 Sakharov Prize 21 Back to school 47 Bridge the Pond initiative 48 Other information activities 22 Annexes 43 EP grant programme Annex I - Ambassador Schools for information activities 24 Academic Year 2019-2020 49 Media 25 Annex II - Ambassador Schools Journalism students and the EP 25 Academic Year 2020-2021 50 Europeans Against COVID-19 26 Annex III - Schools representing Ireland at Commission hearings and
    [Show full text]
  • Brussels, 24 February 2021
    Brussels, 24 February 2021 Declaration from Members of the European Parliament to urge the Commission and Member States not to block the TRIPS waiver at the WTO and to support global access to COVID-19 vaccines We, Members of the European Parliament, urge the European Commission and the European Council to review their opposition to the TRIPS waiver proposal at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which serves to enable greater access to affordable COVID-19 health technologies, including vaccines, in particular for developing and middle income countries. This call comes in view of the European Council meeting of 25 February 2021 and the crucial decision to be made by all Member States at the WTO General Council on 1-2 March 2021. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the need to ensure global open access to COVID-19 health technologies and to rapidly scale up their manufacturing and supply has been widely acknowledged. However, despite efforts and statements made by the European Commission and several heads of state in support of treating COVID-19 medical products as global public goods, this has not yet translated into actionable realities. In this context, the EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments and vaccines. The WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity, as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale.
    [Show full text]
  • Oireachtas Monitor 246 Published
    Oireachtas Monitor 246 Published: 6 June 2017 1. Coming up this week in the Houses of the Oireachtas (6 June 2017 – 9 June 2017) Dáil Éireann Adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday 13 June 2017 Seanad Éireann Adjourned until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 13 June 2017. Parliamentary Committees will meet this week. 2. Last week's Oireachtas Questions and Debates (29 May 2017 – 2 June 2017) a. Asylum and Immigration b. Education (incl ECCE and Child Care) c. Child Protection/ Child and Youth Services/ Children in Care d. Family e. Health and Wellbeing f. Disability and Special Educational Needs g. Child Benefit / Social Welfare/ Poverty / Housing a. Asylum and Immigration Parliamentary Questions- Written Answers Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Refugee Resettlement Programme, Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Human Trafficking, Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) Immigration Policy, Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) Refugee Resettlement Programme, Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) Debates Dáil debates, Topical Issue Debate, Supreme Court Rulings b. Education (incl ECCE and Child Care) Parliamentary Questions- Written Answers Department of Children and Youth Affairs Capitation Grants, Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) Child Care Services Funding, Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) Child Care Services Funding, Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) Child Care Services Provision, Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) Child Care
    [Show full text]
  • Dáil Éireann
    DÁIL ÉIREANN AN COMHCHOISTE UM GHNÓTHAÍ AN AONTAIS EORPAIGH JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN UNION AFFAIRS Dé Máirt, 24 Meán Fómhair 2019 Tuesday, 24 September 2019 The Joint Committee met at 12.30 p.m. Comhaltaí a bhí i láthair / Members present: Seán Crowe, Paul Coghlan, Bernard J. Durkan, Gerard P. Craughwell, Seán Haughey, Terry Leyden. Mattie McGrath, Frank O’Rourke. I láthair / In attendance: Martina Anderson, MEP; Matt Carthy, MEP; Ciarán Cuffe, MEP; Frances Fitzgerald, MEP; Billy Kelleher, MEP; Seán Kelly, MEP; Naomi Long, MEP; Grace O’Sullivan, MEP; and Mick Wallace, MEP. Teachta / Deputy Michael Healy-Rae sa Chathaoir / in the Chair. 1 JEUA Engagement with MEPs elected from Constituencies in Ireland Chairman: I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. This is im- portant as they cause serious problems for the broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. We will have an engagement via video conference with MEPs elected from constituencies in Ireland. I am delighted to welcome the new and returning MEPs from constituencies in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. I congratulate each and every one of them on his or her recent election to the European Parliament and wish him or her the very best of luck in his or her new term. The European Parliament plays a vital role in representing citizens. The committee has a strong appreciation of the role played by MEPs. We very much value their insight into and expertise in dealing with European issues. This opportunity to engage with them is very impor- tant. I am delighted to pilot this way of engaging with them.
    [Show full text]
  • Question for Written Answer
    Question for written answer E-005517/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), Niklas Nienaß (Verts/ALE), Michael Bloss (Verts/ALE), Henrike Hahn (Verts/ALE), Özlem Demirel (GUE/NGL), Barry Andrews (Renew), Malin Björk (GUE/NGL), Sven Giegold (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Pernando Barrena Arza (GUE/NGL), Clare Daly (GUE/NGL), Mick Wallace (GUE/NGL), Dietmar Köster (S&D), Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL), Martina Michels (GUE/NGL), Tanja Fajon (S&D), Irena Joveva (Renew), Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE), Abir Al-Sahlani (Renew), Miguel Urbán Crespo (GUE/NGL), Margrete Auken (Verts/ALE), Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (Verts/ALE), Bettina Vollath (S&D), Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE), Grace O'Sullivan (Verts/ALE), Patrick Breyer (Verts/ALE), Daniel Freund (Verts/ALE), Brando Benifei (S&D), Katrin Langensiepen (Verts/ALE), Damian Boeselager (Verts/ALE), Andreas Schieder (S&D), Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE), Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE), Martin Sonneborn (NI), Viktor Uspaskich (Renew), Manon Aubry (GUE/NGL), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Eugenia Rodríguez Palop (GUE/NGL), Anna Cavazzini (Verts/ALE), Leila Chaibi (GUE/NGL), Sarah Wiener (Verts/ALE), Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL), José Gusmão (GUE/NGL), Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE), Isabel Santos (S&D), Rosa D'Amato (NI), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Hannah Neumann (Verts/ALE), Sara Cerdas (S&D), Martin Häusling (Verts/ALE), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE), Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana (Verts/ALE), Delara Burkhardt (S&D), Ville Niinistö (Verts/ALE), Karen Melchior (Renew), Philippe Lamberts (Verts/ALE) Subject: Prosecution of NGOs in Greece Greek authorities are prosecuting 35 persons working for NGOs for the facilitation of trafficking in human beings.
    [Show full text]
  • 15 February 2019 Mr. Mick Wallace TD Dail Eireann Leinster House Dublin PQ Ref 5992/19 to Ask the Minister for Health the Number
    Social Care South East Community Healthcare c/o Community Care Headquarters James’ Green Kilkenny Telephone 353 56 7784600 Fax 353 56 7764172 15th February 2019 Mr. Mick Wallace TD Dail Eireann Leinster House Dublin PQ ref 5992/19 To ask the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in County Wexford in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form PQ ref 5993/19 To ask the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for children and adolescents with an intellectual disability in County Wexford in each of the years 2010 to 2018, in tabular form PQ ref 5994/19 To ask the Minister for Health if there is a limit to or a maximum amount of respite hours for adults with an intellectual disability available by year for each person that is eligible; and the criteria for eligibility for these respite hours PQ ref 5970/19 To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for residential care for adults with an intellectual disability in County Wexford in each of the years 2012 to 2018, by county in tabular form PQ ref 5971/19 To ask the Minister for Health the criteria for determining priority and highest need when allocating residential care places for adults with a disability Dear Deputy Wallace The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the above Parliamentary Questions, which were submitted to the Minister for Health for response.
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Book Unrevised.Indd
    DÁIL ÉIREANN AN ROGHCHOISTE UM DHLÍ AGUS CEarT AGUS COMHIONANNAS SELECT COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND EQUALITY Dé Céadaoin, 24 Bealtaine 2017 Wednesday, 24 May 2017 Tháinig an Romhchoiste le chéile ag 9 a.m. The Select Committee met at 9 a.m. Comhaltaí a bhí i láthair / Members present: Teachtaí Dála / Deputies Colm Brophy, Clare Daly, Alan Farrell, Frances Fitzgerald (Minister for Justice and Equality), Jim O’Callaghan, Mick Wallace. I láthair / In attendance: Deputy Jonathan O’Brien. Teachta / Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin sa Chathaoir / in the Chair. 1 SJE Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage Chairman: Apologies have been received from Deputy Jack Chambers. All mobile phones should be switched off as they cause interference with the broadcasting and recording of the proceedings, even when left in silent mode. That applies to everyone, including me. The meeting has been convened to consider Committee Stage of the Parole Bill 2016 which was introduced by Deputy Jim O’Callaghan. I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and her officials. On behalf of the select committee, I also welcome Mr. John Costello, chairperson of the parole board, and those of his colleagues who may be in attendance. Before dealing with the Bill section by section, would Deputy Jim O’Callaghan like to speak? It is an important opportunity as this is this first time we are taking Committee Stage of a Private Members’ Bill in this committee’s term. A small bit of history is being made and, as such, I offer the floor to the Deputy.
    [Show full text]
  • An Exploration of Parliamentary Speeches in the Irish Parliament Using Topic Modeling
    Technological University Dublin ARROW@TU Dublin Dissertations School of Computer Sciences 2018 An Exploration of Parliamentary Speeches in the Irish Parliament Using Topic Modeling Fiona Leheny Technological University Dublin Follow this and additional works at: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/scschcomdis Part of the Computer Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Leheny, Fiona (2018). An exploration of parliamentary speeches in the Irish parliament using topic modeling. Masters dissertation, DIT, 2018. This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Computer Sciences at ARROW@TU Dublin. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ARROW@TU Dublin. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License An Exploration of Parliamentary Speeches in the Irish Parliament using Topic Modeling Fiona Leheny A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Dublin Institute of Technology for the degree of M.Sc. in Computing (Data Analytics) September 2017 Declaration I certify that this dissertation which I now submit for examination for the award of MSc in Computing (Data Analytics), is entirely my own work and has not been taken from the work of others save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within the text of my work. This dissertation was prepared according to the regulations for postgraduate study of the Dublin Institute of Technology and has not been submitted in whole or part for an award in any other Institute or University.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Developments, 2019
    01 Political Developments.qxp_Admin 68-1 26/02/2020 13:07 Page 1 Administration, vol. 68, no. 1 (2020), pp. 1–13 doi: 10.2478/admin-2020-0001 Political developments, 2019 David Hugh Moore Department of Political Science, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland European Parliament election On 24 May 2019 Ireland voted in the ninth European Parliament elections. As a result of Brexit, the European Parliament was reorganised and the number of MEPs was reduced from 751 to 705. The twenty-seven remaining UK seats were reallocated to other member states. Ireland received an additional two seats, bringing the country’s total number of seats up to thirteen. The same constituencies as in 2014 were used with only minor border changes. Two constituencies received an additional MEP. Dublin moved from a three-seat to a four-seat constituency while Ireland South went from a four- to a five-seat constituency. The Midlands North-West constituency stayed the same with four seats. Given that the UK had not actually left the EU when the elections were held, the two additional MEPs were ineligible to take their seats until the UK had officially left the EU. In order to be eligible to compete in European elections, a prospective candidate must fulfil one of the following criteria: be nominated by a registered political party; have declarations from sixty people willing to support their candidacy; or pay a deposit of €1,800. These requirements are deemed relatively simple to meet and as such helped contribute towards a record number of candidates running for MEP in the state.
    [Show full text]