Results 201-220 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Yes it was. As part of the memorandum of understanding between the Government and the troika, a commitment was given to introduce tax in this budget.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: That condition has been there since 2010 and we are now implementing it. It is a positive measure in that we will have a more sustainable tax base in the future. We can look back on how spending increased from 2002 to 2007 and beyond that. When the bottom fell out of the property market we were dependent entirely on revenue from VAT and income tax and we know what a vulnerable position we...

Seanad: Social Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (18 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the Minister and commend her on a number of points. First, she has succeeded in bringing her reductions to ¤390 million and she got ¤150 million savings. We should all remember that ¤150 million in her own Department and that of the Minister for Health is to be funded by taxation measures at a time when we are trying to keep taxation low to encourage consumers to spend and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I have a question but as I have to attend the Seanad soon I apologise if I am not here for the answer, although I hope I will be. The witness said she supported the proposal for a rotation of auditors. There may be a danger of a loss of expertise in some difficult technical areas if firms have developed a relationship with individual companies. Have representations been made to the IAASA...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (18 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Did the witnesses think there was an issue concerning foreign companies based here?

Seanad: Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: While the Bill is short and technical, it is important. It is essential that we have registration boards and regulation for professionals. There must be certainty for professionals working in the various disciplines and members of the public who avail of those services must have certainty and trust in standards. A certain level of educational attainment must be established prior to...

Seanad: Report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in the A, B and C v. Ireland Case: Statements (6 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: This is a very sensitive issue. I understand that individuals have personal views and experiences. Childbirth and pregnancy are wonderful experiences but they throw up some difficult and tragic situations. Each and everyone knows of incidents that have been highlighted in both Houses. I am glad that the Minister is clear on the commitment of Government to act on the recommendations of...

Seanad: Budget 2013: Statements (5 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: We should all remember we are in a programme with the EU and IMF and the situation is difficult for everybody, but today we are 85% of the way there and the end is in sight. It was interesting to note that both Ministers, Deputy Noonan and Deputy Howlin, made the point that the end is in sight. However, the situation remains difficult for people. We cannot take ¤3.5 billion from any...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I wish to again raise the issue of the sale of alcohol. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, has been in office for a number of months and I look forward to the development of his policy. I hope it is near completion at this stage because it is badly needed. Dr. Declan Bedford addressed the Irish Medical Organisation in the Royal College of Surgeons last...

Seanad: Credit Union Bill 2012: Second Stage (4 Dec 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on the Bill. I always avail of the opportunity to contribute on the operations of credit unions because, as other speakers have said, their importance is reflected in the community. I am an admirer of the credit unions in my constituency and the role they play, being rooted in the community and coming from a volunteer co-operative movement, a...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Obesity Levels (29 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive reply. As she pointed out, the Minister is working on this. I accept the point that this is about striking a balance and I certainly agree that we should avoid concentrating on body image and focus instead on the health and well-being of individuals, especially the long-term consequences of carrying weight. We must tackle this for...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Obesity Levels (29 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The issue of people who are overweight and obese is one we need to keep to the fore. Yesterday a report by Professor Ivan Perry of UCC was reported in the media. A study found the fact that people are obese or overweight is costing the country ¤1.1 billion every year. That cost is based on scientific evidence, so we should take it very seriously, and that is not to mention the effect on...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Refugee Accommodation (28 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Does Senator Ó Clochartaigh wish to ask a supplementary question?

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I congratulate Senator Quinn on producing this Bill and bringing it to the House. It is a timely discussion. I remember hearing on the radio on 31 August news of the judgment of Mr. Justice Hogan, who reversed the decision of the payment to Mr. Younis. I was shocked and wondered how it could happen in this day and age. It is appalling that somebody coming here who felt, in good faith,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Information and Communications Technology Skills: Discussion with Ministers (27 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Ministers for their contributions today. This committee is examining the area of ICT and other skills. Witnesses have told us of their experiences, particularly in industry, in assessing relevant skills. We have looked at what the Higher Education Authority is offering as well as both Departments represented here. ICT skills have been highlighted in the media and they come up...

Seanad: Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Senator Darragh O?Brien and many other Senators, including Senator O?Keeffe, Senator Mullins, Senator Colm Burke, Senator Healy Eames and Senator Walsh, raised their concerns about the recent case in Galway of Savita Halappanavar who, unfortunately, lost her life. I will bring those concerns to the Minister and to the Leader. It is imperative that we get the facts about exactly what...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The Order of Business is No. 1, Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Bill 2012, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1.30 p.m., with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the Minister to the House. We have discussed the action plan for jobs on previous occasions. The plan has set targets. Quarterly and six-monthly reports have been issued which have been effective in measuring progress. There has been an emphasis in this House on the need to support small businesses. I welcome the changes such as the establishment of the local enterprise...