Garret Kelleher
Industrial and Commercial Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“These services include a day care programme led by nurses and healthcare assistants, community catering with meals-on-wheels, social activities and transport. The work done by the team at Westgate Foundation enables older people in our community to stay at home and live independently while maintaining a vital social connection.”
“The fact she is in Westgate and able to participate and volunteer at local level speaks volumes about the independence it affords to people. There is an ongoing conversation in Cork on the development of light rail, the Luas line, with Ballincollig being on the western side of that.”
“Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, is fíorthábhachtach an rud é cinnteacht a thabhairt do Westgate Foundation faoi thodhchaí na heagraíochta agus seans a thabhairt don fhoireann bainistíochta na seirbhísí a fhorbairt i gcomhréir leis na riachtanais atá ag dul i méid i measc daoine aosta inár bpobal i mBaile an Chollaigh agus sna ceantair mórthimp…”
“I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge the behind-the-scenes work going on between the HSE management in the south-west region and the management team at Westgate, which is crucial. I neglected to mention one thing in my initial contribution, of which the Minister of State will be well aware.”
“As the Minister of State is aware, one of the primary reasons for the increased costs being borne by Westgate Foundation is related to the fact that the organisation had been heavily dependent on the community employment scheme, which is an unsustainable position given that the economy is effectively operating at full employment.”
“As the Minister of State is aware, Westgate Foundation is reliant on section 39 State funding, administered through the HSE South West, to provide services to senior citizens.”
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“The fact she is in Westgate and able to participate and volunteer at local level speaks volumes about the independence it affords to people. There is an ongoing conversation in Cork on the development of light rail, the Luas line, with Ballincollig being on the western side of that. A lot of people contacting me locally were lobbying for the extension of the Luas line further west and one of the key reasons was to include Westgate. It is recognised Westgate is at the heart of the community. I emphasise again the urgency with which this must be dealt with. It is a matter of immediate concern to the management team in Westgate and it is causing stress. We need to deliver certainty and predictability so the future of the organisation can be guaranteed.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge the behind-the-scenes work going on between the HSE management in the south-west region and the management team at Westgate, which is crucial. I neglected to mention one thing in my initial contribution, of which the Minister of State will be well aware. It was opportune he came down and visited, given he is also a Minister of State in the Department of housing. It is the fact that Westgate provides housing and sheltered housing. I mentioned in my opening remarks that there is a strong voluntary and community spirit. One service user and resident in Westgate is in her 90s and is an active member of Ballincollig Tidy Towns. She is somebody of whom we as a community are very proud.”
“That lends further emphasis to the fact that needs are growing and there is increasing demand in the community. Financial certainty is required on a long-term basis to ensure the viability of the organisation. I thank the Minister of State for the support he has given thus far in relation to these challenges.”
“As the Minister of State is aware, one of the primary reasons for the increased costs being borne by Westgate Foundation is related to the fact that the organisation had been heavily dependent on the community employment scheme, which is an unsustainable position given that the economy is effectively operating at full employment. It is of a crucial importance that Westgate is given the financial support and certainty from the State that it needs to ensure its future and long-term viability at the heart of the Ballincollig community. The Minister of State will be aware from his recent visit that there are long waiting lists for services. These waiting lists are primarily administered through HSE referrals and public health nurses locally.”
“As the Minister of State is aware, Westgate Foundation is reliant on section 39 State funding, administered through the HSE South West, to provide services to senior citizens. It has become increasingly apparent over the past number of years that the funding provided through the service level agreement is no longer sufficient to maintain services at their current levels. This issue has been dealt with at irregular intervals and on an ad hoc basis by the HSE in recent years when it has been recognised that the core funding provided is inadequate and top-up payments of various amounts have been made in an effort to ensure the continuity the services.”
“These services include a day care programme led by nurses and healthcare assistants, community catering with meals-on-wheels, social activities and transport. The work done by the team at Westgate Foundation enables older people in our community to stay at home and live independently while maintaining a vital social connection. The services provided give Westgate clients the support they need to maintain and enjoy this independence. Without the provision of these community-based services, there is no doubt that the likelihood of elderly service users requiring home care packages and nursing home support would increase significantly. A majority of service users have considerable health challenges associated with growing old, including dementia, declining mobility, and the adverse impacts of social isolation.”
“Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, is fíorthábhachtach an rud é cinnteacht a thabhairt do Westgate Foundation faoi thodhchaí na heagraíochta agus seans a thabhairt don fhoireann bainistíochta na seirbhísí a fhorbairt i gcomhréir leis na riachtanais atá ag dul i méid i measc daoine aosta inár bpobal i mBaile an Chollaigh agus sna ceantair mórthimpeall orainn. Ballincollig is a very special place. It is a thriving and progressive town with a fantastic community spirit, a culture of volunteerism and a strong sense of togetherness and inclusion. At the heart of our community, quietly catering for the needs of our senior citizens, is the Westgate Foundation. Westgate provides invaluable services to our senior citizens and the areas surrounding Ballincollig.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Donnell, as ucht teacht isteach maidin inniu chun déileáil leis an ní seo, a bhaineann le Westgate Foundation i mBaile an Chollaigh i gCorcaigh. Tá sé riachtanach go ndéanfar gach aon iarracht na seirbhísí iontacha atá á soláthar ag Westgate Foundation a chosaint. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an obair ar fad atá déanta aige ar son Westgate Foundation agus as an gcuairt a thug sé air i mí an Mhárta chun na seirbhísí ar fad a fheiscint agus chun bualadh leis an bhfoireann bainistíochta, chomh maith le lucht bainistíochta HSE.”
“It is my understanding that up until now, the DPP would via An Garda Síochána contact the victim to request the person's permission for counselling notes to be disclosed and consent would be given. In subsequent conversations I have had, there seems to be a question mark over whether that consent will continue to be requested and necessary. I ask the Minister to reference that point in his concluding remarks. In the event of the legislation passing, I ask the Minister to make reference to the intended review of the legislation and the likely possible timeline for revisiting the legislation in the event that it proves to be not as legally robust as intended, with specific reference to the presumption of non-disclosure.”
“Senator McCarthy made the valid point that counselling notes are not legal documents, nor are they written by legal professionals. They are an account of the intimate and personal conversations between victims of horrendous crimes and the professionals to whom they have turned in an effort to rebuild their lives. If it were possible and legally sound to completely ban the use of counselling notes in criminal trials, I would favour that. However, with respect to what has been said on previous Stages of this legislation, that unfortunately is not the case. It is our job to make the legislation as robust as possible to ensure it is victim-centred. A number of the concerns raised with me relate to how permission is obtained for counselling notes to be disclosed.”
“Like others, I would be delighted if we could accept that counselling notes are a matter between an individual and the counsellor to whom they turn for help but as was referenced on previous Stages of this Bill, there is a fear there will be a legal challenge on the constitutionality. I accept that. It has also been accepted by the Labour Party and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. I will reference another case. I will not mention the person by name because I do not have her permission to do so. She is a victim of rape who appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. She said, and I am paraphrasing, that counselling saved her life but if she had been aware that the notes from her counselling sessions would be used against her in court, she would not have gone at all.”
“We must make sure not just that the laws are about punishing those who have committed horrendous crimes, largely against women and girls, but also that the women and girls who have been subjected to these horrendous crimes receive the support they deserve. We must ensure our criminal justice system is compassionate in that regard. I have discussed this with the Minister on a number of occasions. I have a concern about the specific reference to the presumption of non-disclosure. It is not implicit in the legislation before us. It is referenced in some of the amendments. I would like it to be given the consideration it deserves.”
“Those 56 instances were still referenced by the legal team in defence of the man who was subsequently convicted of her rape. The character assassination and discrediting of rape victims through the use of counselling notes has been referenced. It is very important we do everything in our power to make that a thing of the past and to be as victim-centred in our approach as possible. Another thing put to Ms Doyle during what she described as her horrendous cross-examination was that she said she was no longer the woman her partner fell in love with. That again was used in an effort to discredit Ms Doyle and it was a horrendous experience for her to have to go through. That is something we have to make sure is in the past with the passing of the legislation today in how we deal with victims of sexual violence.”
“It is important to point out that Paula is a phenomenally courageous campaigner who seeks to improve the law, as we are all trying to do here today, so that what happened to her will not happen to victims in future years. Our job is to try to make the legislation as robust as possible in that regard. Senators McCormack and Stephenson made reference to the case of Ms Doyle. I will not go over what Senator McCormack said in detail but it was expressed articulately by Ms Doyle in her email to us all. In relation to that case, on 56 occasions during the course of counselling, Ms Doyle made reference that what happened to her was her fault. She now realises, having gone through the whole process of dealing with the trauma that resulted from her rape, that it was not her fault.”
“It is very important to point out, and is obvious from the contributions thus far, that there is still a feeling among victims and groups representing victims and survivors that our criminal justice system - the very system that is intended to protect and support our citizens - is failing survivors because of the retraumatisation and additional suffering felt by victims due to the potential availability of personal sensitive information disclosed during counselling sessions to those accused of horrendous crimes against them and the legal defence teams representing them. The case of Paula Doyle has been mentioned on a number of occasions by various contributors to the debate so far.”
“The proposed section 22 seeks to rectify a flaw in the existing legislation under which a waiver relating to a restriction around the use of counselling notes has been used more extensively than had been initially envisaged. I thank the Minister for the time he has taken to discuss this matter with other Senators and me, in relation to the legislation we are discussing today.”
“Ó thaobh Cuid 8 den Bhille, agus go háirithe alt 22 atá os ár gcomhair, agus níos leithne fós mar gheall ar an mBille ar fad, níl aon amhras orm ach go bhfuil na Seanadóirí ar fad atá anseo agus an tAire atá ag labhairt faoi na leasuithe ag iarraidh dlí níos fearr a bhaint amach, agus a thuilleadh cosaintí agus tacaíochtaí a thabhairt d’íospartaigh éignithe agus ionsaithe gnéis, ach go háirithe mná agus cailíní. I have no doubt but that everybody contributing to this afternoon's debate, and in particular this discussion about the use of counselling notes in criminal trials, does so in an effort to improve the law in a way that will better support survivors of horrendous crimes, and in particular of sexual violence and rape.”
“Ba mhaith liom ar dtús mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire, an Teachta O'Callaghan, as ucht teacht isteach go dtí an Seanad tráthnóna chun an mBille a phlé agus chun éisteacht agus labhairt linn mar gheall air agus mar gheall ar na leasuithe éagsúla atá os ár gcomhair. Cuirim fáilte roimh Paula Doyle agus na feisirí feachtas eile atá inár measc, atá tar éis an-chuid oibre a dhéanamh chun an dlí a athrú. Cuirim fáilte rompu go léir.”
“This is exactly what we are doing by reviewing and renewing the provisions of the Offences against the State Act, sending a message to paramilitary groups that they have no place in our democracy or in the brighter future we are looking to build for our children and generations to come. As the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, has outlined, we also need to be vigilant and wary of modern threats of violence, extremism and terrorism at an international level. We must continue to co-operate and work with our EU and international partners to counter the possibilities of chemical, biological, nuclear or cyberattacks and threats to our energy security. In this regard, I welcome the Minister of State’s comments on evolving international terrorism threats and extremism. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I am very happy to support the motions.”
“This is in line with recent independent reviews carried out in 2023 and 2025, the latter of which stated that coercive control and threats linked to paramilitary groups "persist and remain a real concern". We will forever be indebted to those who worked so hard and courageously to bring the violent and bitter conflict in the North to an end, and to bring the people of violence to the negotiating table and the path to peace. However, we cannot take peace for granted. We must look to build a better, brighter and more inclusive future for all, regardless of what flag we fly or what anthem we sing. In doing so, we cannot take the peace that has been achieved for granted. We must protect it and do everything in our power to counteract the threats that continue to exist.”
“The Offences Against the State Acts have been crucial pieces of legislation protecting the State against threats of terrorism from paramilitary groups and other organisations and individuals for almost 90 years. The fact that terrorist threats continue to exist today means that the provisions of the Acts, which protect our State and our people, remain every bit as relevant today as they were when initially introduced. I welcome the detailed opening statement by the Minister of State, Deputy Ardagh, which emphasises the continued importance of these provisions. Almost 30 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, it is considered that there remains a real and persistent threat from terrorist activity, as articulated by Senator Gallagher in his comments.”
“Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Ardagh, chuig an Seanad chun páirt a ghlacadh i ndíospóireacht an lae inniu. Is riachtanach iad na hAchtanna um Chionta in aghaidh an Stáit a chosnaíonn an Stát ar bhagairtí sceimhlitheoireachta ó ghrúpaí paraimíleata, eagraíochtaí, agus daoine aonair le beagnach 90 bliain anuas. Ós rud é go bhfuil bagairtí sceimhlitheoireachta fós ann, ciallaionn sé go bhfuil forálacha na ngníomhartha a chosnaíonn an Stát agus ár ndaoine gach pioc chomh tábhachtach inniu is a bhí siad nuair a tugadh isteach ar dtús iad. Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an ráiteas tosaigh ón Aire Stáit, an Teachta Ardagh, a leagann béim ar thábhacht leanúnach na bhforálacha sin.”
“As stated on Second Stage on Thursday of last week, we welcome the provisions of the Bill. The Bill has the wholehearted support of our group. There were some very interesting discussions in the Chamber last week. I again commend the Minister on his continued co-operation and engagement.”
“I move: That, in accordance with Standing Order 201(2), in relation to the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, it be an instruction to the Committee of the whole Seanad that the Committee has the power to make amendments to the Bill which are not relevant to the subject matter of the Bill, for the purpose of: (i) amending the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 to ensure that the general prohibition on the possession of wireless telegraphy apparatus without a licence from the Commission for Communications Regulation does not apply to a radio frequency jammer kept by An Garda Síochána for the purpose of working or using it to interfere with an unmanned aircraft system where it is reasonably believed to be necessary to carry out its policing and security function under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024; (ii) further amending the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 to oblige An Garda Síochána and the Commission for Communications Regulation to agree a memorandum of understanding to support the sharing of information on the use of radio frequency jammers for counter- unmanned aircraft systems purposes; (iii) further amending the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 to ensure that offences included in the Act to prohibit interference with wireless telegraphy apparatus do not apply to the use of a radio frequency jammer kept by An Garda Síochána for the purpose of working or using it to interfere with an unmanned aircraft system where it is reasonably believed to be necessary to carry out its policing and security function under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024; and to change the long title to reflect the content of the Bill; and to make other consequential amendments required to take account of such amendments.”
“This is another example of international co-operation in line with EU directives to strengthen the laws and protections that apply in Ireland. On behalf of the Fine Gael Group, I welcome the Bill.”
“Thar ceann Fhine Gael, cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille um Cheartas Coiriúil (Comhar Idirnáisiúnta maidir le Fianaise Leictreonach agus Nithe Eile), 2026. Mar atá léirithe ag an Aire, is céim dhualgais í seo chun Treoir 2023/1544 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa a chur i bhfeidhm. As has been referenced by both the Minister and Senator Gallagher, the enactment of this Bill will fulfil the commitment made in the programme for Government to implement the e-evidence package in line with Directive 2023/1544. One of the most important provisions of the Bill as outlined by the Minister is the establishment of the office of the director of criminal justice international co-operation and the appointment of the director of criminal justice international co-operation.”
“On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I commend the Minister, the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and all involved in the drafting of this legislation, which has our full support.”
“It is right the conviction of a person in our courts for the murder of their partner, their fellow parent or the guardian of their children should automatically preclude that person from full guardianship rights of the surviving children. The safeguarding and protection of surviving children must always supersede all other considerations. We welcome the promotion and safeguarding of the best interests of the child through the statutory scheme, which requires the expertise of Tusla - the Child and Family Agency in child protection and welfare, as the Minister outlined. The passage of this legislation will ensure future cases of this nature will be regarded as child protection and welfare issues and not as matters of private law.”
“Kilroy still retains all guardianship rights over his and Valerie's three children. Like the Minister and other Senators, I welcome David and his sister Veronica to the Visitors Gallery. I acknowledge the huge amount of work David and his family have done over the past seven years in campaigning for the law to be changed to improve safeguards and protections for Irish children and families. I welcome the Bill for the reasons outlined in detail by the Minister. It is an important step forward in the area of child protection and is the legislative follow-up to the commitment made in the programme for Government.”
“I dtosach báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta O’Callaghan, as ucht teacht isteach arís chun déileáil leis an mBille. Is céim thábhachtach í an Bille seo chun ár ndlíthe a bhaineann le cosaint leanaí a neartú, go háirithe i gcásanna foréigean baile nó foréigean teaghlaigh ina ndúnmharaíonn tuismitheoir amháin an tuismitheoir eile agus na himpleachtaí atá aige seo ar chearta an tuismitheora sin a mhaireann maidir le caomhnóireacht na leanaí a mhaireann. They had an argument, she went out to buy groceries while he said he had a few drinks. When she came home later he murdered her and then abandoned the children. These are the words spoken by David French in relation to the brutal murder of his sister, Valerie, by her husband, James Kilroy, in 2019. As the Minister stated, Mr.”
“Sula dtabharfaimid seans don Aire Stáit freagra a thabhairt, ba chóir dom a rá go bhfuil curaidh dhomhanda inár measc. Before we go any further, I welcome some distinguished visitors to our Gallery. These are the members of the Cabe Academy of Irish Dance, who are world champions, from Castleknock in County Dublin. I see that they are after bringing in the world championship trophy with them. They are very welcome to the Seanad. Tá fáilte romhaibh ar fad. I call the Minister of State.”
“Mar atá ráite ag an Aire Stáit, cruthaíonn an treoir trí choir nua i ndlí na hÉireann, is iad sin, traenáil a fháil don sceimhlitheoireacht, taisteal chun críocha na sceimhlitheoireachta agus taisteal a eagrú nó a éascú chun críocha na sceimhlitheoireachta. Tá na forálacha seo tábhachtach chun tuilleadh cumhachta a thabhairt don Garda Síochána a chuid oibre a dhéanamh níos éifeachtaí i gcoinne na sceimhlitheoireachta agus chun ár ndlíthe a neartú agus iad a thabhairt i gcomhréir le ballstáit eile de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs Treoir Uimh. 2017/541 ó Pharlaimint na hEorpa a chur i bhfeidhm. Mar sin de, tá muid thar a bheith sásta ár gcuid tacaíochta a thabhairt don Bhille seo tráthnóna.”
“Is mian liom, thar ceann Sheanadóirí Fhine Gael, ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach tráthnóna chun éisteacht agus labhairt linn mar gheall ar an mBille. Mar atá léirithe ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Brophy, ina ráiteas ag tús na díospóireachta, leasaíonn an Bille seo an tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cionta Sceimhlitheoireachta), 2005, a bhí leasaithe cheana ag an Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cionta Sceimhlitheoireachta) (Leasú), 2025. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an mBille lánéifeacht a thabhairt do Threoir Pharlaimint na hEorpa Uimh. 2017/541 maidir le sceimhlitheoireacht a chomhrac trí na forálacha sin nach bhfuil tar éis teacht isteach cheana i ndlí na hÉireann, i gcomhréir le hAirteagal 5 do Phrótacal 21 maidir le feidhmiú an Aontais Eorpaigh.”
“On the whole, I would like to commend and compliment the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and all those with whom he worked in putting together this wide-ranging and progressive Bill, which has the full support of the Fine Gael group.”
“The result of the collaborative work in introducing two new offences in the exploitative practice of sex for rent is an important progressive step and is an excellent example of the co-operation that exists, particularly when suggested progressive steps of this nature come from the Opposition. That is very important. As has been alluded to and referenced by a number of contributors today, I also welcome Part 15 of the Bill, which provides for the disregarding of historical convictions relating to the consensual sexual activity of gay men which, again, is a belated acknowledgement of the wrongs of previous legislation. It is an important step.”
“This is something we discussed yesterday afternoon in relation to opting in and the importance of international co-operation in our laws to strengthen law enforcement at a national level. Part 5, which amends the Extradition Act 1965, is an important step in increasing the powers of An Garda Síochána to provisionally arrest, without a warrant, persons named in Schengen Information System, while part Part 7 relates to improved co-operation with the International Criminal Court. Both are important steps. Briefly, I will make reference to part 13 in particular to use it as an opportunity to commend the collaborative work by our colleague Senator Harmon and, indeed, Senator Stephenson with the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan.”
“Given that this morning the Irish Prison Service is operating with total numbers exceeding capacity by 24%, including the highest rates of overcrowding in the prisons for women, in Mountjoy and Limerick, with Limerick Women's Prison operating at 164% of capacity or, in other words, 92 women in custody with a bed capacity of 56, the proposal to increase the scope and applicability of community service orders will help in this regard where appropriate. Section 71 relates to an amendment to the Prisons Act and to a proposed increase in the time threshold for the possible deportation or removal of a prisoner. Parts 5 and 11 are related to international co-operation.”
“Thar cheann Fhine Gael, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Bille um an Dlí Coiriúil, an Dlí Sibhialta agus Cosaint (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha), 2026. On behalf of the Fine Gael Group, I welcome all 75 sections of the Bill before us today and the consequential amendments that will be made to existing Acts in the areas of criminal law, civil law and defence. Parts 2 and 6 and section 71 all relate directly or indirectly to the Prison Service. Part 2 seeks to provide an exemption for prison officers to use incapacitant sprays in the course of their duties, amending the Firearms Act 1925 and the Prisons Act 2007, which was referred to by both the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and Senator Gallagher in their remarks. Part 6 relates to the increased scope and applicability of community service orders in lieu of imprisonment.”
“Having spent time many years ago working on a task force in the European Commission, which involved liaising closely with all of the then member states to ensure that channels of co-operation were in place to deal with possible external security and public health risks, I am very aware of the importance of co-ordination and co-operation among member states when it comes to security and justice. The concerns and threats that exist in the area of firearms trafficking are far better combated in conjunction with our international partners than on our own. The proposed amendment, COM/2026(102), to the existing Directive 2024/1260 is an important step in this regard and we in the Fine Gael Group fully support the proposal to opt in.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Mar atá ráite aige, is riachtanach an rud é a bheith ag obair lenár gcomhghleacaithe san Aontas Eorpach i réimse na coireachta idirnáisiúnta. Tá sé tábhachtach go n-úsáidfí na téarmaí céanna i ndlíthe na hÉireann is atá á húsáid ag baill stáit eile an Aontais Eorpaigh. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the proposal to opt in to the directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms related offences. This is a progressive and important step that will enable us to achieve the four specific objectives outlined by the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and Senator Gallagher.”
“In this context and in relation to strengthening the Bill through the later legislative Stages, I recommend further consultation with groups such as Rape Crisis Ireland, Women's Aid and campaigners such as Jason, Joe, David and their families as well as Cuan, to which the Minister referred in his opening statement, to ensure we arrive at a robust final Bill which when enacted will protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
“This is something that we need to bear in mind on the remaining Stages of the legislative process. The Minister may wish to comment on that at the end of the debate. I welcome that the register will be implemented in a broader context of preventative and protective measures, such as Operation Devise, and the information will be presented in a way that is linked insofar as possible with domestic violence services to ensure anyone consulting the register will be directed towards appropriate supports for themselves or another person about whom they are concerned.”
“I am conscious the provision to which I just referred would not have applied to either Jason's or David's sisters, Jennifer Poole and Valerie French, both of whom lost their lives as a result of domestic violence. I also wish to take the opportunity to thank Jason, David and their families for their ongoing and tireless campaigning. One of the expressed aims of the Bill is to assist people in a relationship, or considering entering into a relationship, with a person to ascertain whether that person has a history of serious domestic violence convictions. A possible unintended consequence of the register is that by its nature it can never be complete and may give the impression that persons not listed on the register can be considered safe as prospective partners, which is not necessarily the case.”
“As I stated in this Chamber last month during the Fianna Fáil group's Private Members' Bill on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, it is essential that supports for victims are at the heart of what we do when legislating. In this regard, this Bill has a victim-centred approach and its core. I welcome the requirement for a victim to give his or her consent before the person convicted of a crime against them is added to the public register. This mitigates against the possibility of justice being delivered in a way that goes against the wishes of victims and therefore reduces the possibility of victims being retraumatised after the offence against them has taken place. Like the Minister and other contributors, I also welcome Jason Poole, Joe Poole and David French to the Seanad Chamber.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta O'Callaghan, agus ba mhaith liom ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leis as ucht teacht inár measc anocht agus páirt lárnach a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht. Thar ceann Fhine Gael, fáiltím roimh an mBille atá os ár gcomhair anocht. Is céim thar a bheith tábhachtach agus fhorásach í an Bille seo i dtreo feabhas a chur ar na cosaintí atá againne inár gcóras ceartais choiriúil dóibh siúd atá i mbaol foréigean teaghlaigh nó foréigean baile. On behalf of the Fine Gael group, I welcome the Bill before us as a progressive and necessary step, which I believe will provide additional safeguards for persons at risk of domestic violence.”
“Caithfimid a bheith ag obair leis an údarás chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh leis sin chun tuilleadh tithíochta a sholáthar sna Gaeltachtaí ar fud na tíre. Tá sé sin riachtanach do thodhchaí na teanga taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh de na Gaeltachtaí. Is mian liom, thar ceann Fhine Gael, fáilte a chur roimh an mBille agus an dul chun cinn atá déanta. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire as ucht na hoibre atá déanta aige ina thréimhse mar Aire. Tá mé ag súil go mór le bheith ag obair leis sa chuid eile den téarma atá le teacht chun rudaí den saghas seo a dhéanamh le tithíocht a sholáthar, go háirithe sna Gaeltachtaí, seans a thabhairt don teanga forbairt, agus tacú le hathbheochan na teanga ar fud na tíre. Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an Aire.”
“Bhíos sa seomra AV níos luaithe ag éisteacht le tuairisc atá á cur amach ag Jim Power Economics. De réir taighde atá déanta ag UNESCO, tá an teanga i mbaol don chéad bhliain atá díreach os ár gcomhair, nó “endangered” mar a deir lucht an Bhéarla. Caithfimid déileáil leis sin taobh amuigh agus taobh istigh de na Gaeltachtaí, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs an Ghaeloideachais taobh amuigh de na Gaeltachtaí. Ní mór tuilleadh Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí a chur ar fáil chun seans a thabhairt do dhaoine oideachas a bheith acu trí mheán na Gaeilge. Is ar na Gaeltachtaí atá ár n-aird leis an mBille seo, áfach, ach tá an pointe sin chomh tábhachtach céanna sna Gaeltachtaí. Caithfimid an deis sin a thabhairt do pháistí na Gaeltachta todhchaí a bheith acu agus tithe a thógáil.”
“B’fhéidir go ndéarfadh an tAire cúpla rud mar gheall air sin agus an chaoi ar féidir linn déileáil leis an gceist sin chun an fhadhb sin a réiteach, más fadhb é. Bhí mé i nGaillimh Thiar don fhothoghchán agus bhí mé ag canbhasáil i gConamara go háirithe. Labhair mé le daoine agus le teaghlaigh a bhí buartha mar gheall ar an todhchaí atá i ndán dá gcuid clann. Tá siad ag iarraidh todhchaí níos fearr a bheith acu, go háirithe ó thaobh tithíochta de. Caithfimid a bheith ag obair leis an údarás agus cumhacht a thabhairt d’Údarás na Gaeltachta le déileáil níos láidre le fadhb na tithíochta. Is é sin an príomhrud chun tithíocht a sholáthar. Ní mór dúinn oibriú le heagraíochtaí éagsúla ar fud na tíre, cosúil le BÁNÚ i gConamara, Tinteán, a bhíonn ag obair sna Gaeltachtaí ar fad, agus leithéidí Chonradh na Gaeilge.”
“Caithfimid gach rud gur féidir a dhéanamh chun cabhrú le bord Údarás na Gaeltachta agus le muintir na Gaeltachta ar fud na tíre. Tá sé luaite ag na Seanadóirí Curley agus Conway roimh ré, agus gan amhras, cuirim fáilte roimh an méid a bhí á rá ag an Aire féin ag tús na díospóireachta, faoi thithíocht sa Ghaeltacht. Is é sin an rud is deacra a bhfuilimid ag déileáil leis i láthair na huaire. Tá sé sin fíor taobh amuigh de na Gaeltachtaí chomh maith, mar is eol dúinn. Tá sé níos tábhachtaí fós, mar a dúirt an Seanadóir Curley, déileáil le daonra agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do theaghlaigh sna Gaeltachtaí, go háirithe don chéad ghlúin eile atá le teacht, chun a bheith ag obair. Chomh fada is a thuigim, tá deacrachtaí ag an údarás faoi láthair maidir le talamh a cheannach seachas talamh a dhíol.”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus gabhaim buíochas leis as teacht isteach. Gan amhras, fáiltím roimh an mBille atá os ár gcomhair inniu. Is tábhachtach an rud é guth níos láidre a thabhairt d'Údarás na Gaeltachta agus do mhuintir na nGaeltachtaí ar fud na tíre, go háirithe mar is iad na daoine atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht agus na daoine atá ag déileáil leis na scoileanna sa Ghaeltacht, ag tacú leo, ag cruthú post agus ag forbairt gnóthaí sa Ghaeltacht. Is iad seo na daoine is tábhachtaí. Tá siad ag obair i measc phobal na Gaeltachta atá ag úsáid seirbhísí. Ó thaobh daonlathais de, níl aon amhras agam ach gur céim chun tosaigh í seo do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Beidh guth níos láidre acu ar an mbord. Is é príomhfheidhm Údarás na Gaeltachta ná an Ghaelainn a chaomhnú agus na Gaeltachtaí ar fud na tíre a fhorbairt.”