Results 401-420 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Is the process so long and complicated that it would stop a decision being made before the enactment of this Bill? Would it not be preferable to have everybody starting from the same position, that is, in modernised, updated legislation? Would it be possible to stop applications by people under the 1932 Act being taken in the light of this new Bill being drafted? Is it open to abuse in...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I share some of the concerns of Senator Cannon. I fear the legislation is in danger of being damaged by the continuation of section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act. We should be trying to prepare legislation that is adaptable and flexible and which allows people to compete on an even keel. When the Minister spoke in the House two weeks ago, he assured us he was trying to achieve...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: To nobody's surprise, my instincts are the same as those of Senator Cannon in this area. Listening to the Minister of State's response, it screams of protectionism, which is not really what we want. I am worried about that. I have listened to the Minister of State's laudable aims and provisions within the legislation but he is asking us to forget the experience we have had. Nobody, and...

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Committee Stage (6 Oct 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I agree with what Senator Quinn stated; one cannot include an amendment which gives preferential treatment to one group over another. One should expect that all will be treated equally and that is what we expect to happen under the Bill. It would be incorrect to include a provision to express that one group of operators would be given preference over others; we should leave out this type of...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Senator Buttimer is intoxicated by the exuberance of his own verbosity. He noted that the Government is failing to do nothing. Within this double negative lies a positive, therefore the Government is highly active. He would be better to choose his words more carefully.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I seek a discussion on education. A number of the industrialists who spoke at last week's forum in Farmleigh noted out that our reputation for education is no longer as high as we believe it to be. Now would be an opportune time to invite the Minister for Education and Science to discuss education policy in a broad sense. It is a matter to which I have given considerable thought over the...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (24 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Did the Senator eat humble pie?

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (24 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I wish to share time with Senator O'Donovan.

Seanad: Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (24 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I envy the Minister his job as he will go down in history as the man who finally brought the Irish transport service up to date. To have finally dispensed with the 1930s legislation will be as significant as the introduction of the smoking ban by the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin. I am delighted this Bill is finally being produced. Residents of Dublin in...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (23 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I am glad to have this opportunity to speak on the economy because much has happened over the summer, both good and bad. Some of the signs are a little better. However, I will talk first about NAMA which is a necessary evil in that we needed some mechanism to provide liquidity in the banks. It was a case of having to call a price at a certain time in order to lance a boil, in a sense....

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (23 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: It was demonstrated extremely carefully in his approach how the putative next Taoiseach reacted to that position. We can imagine what signal that sent to the markets abroad. A man in his position needs to be extremely careful how he reacts here. Confidence is a fragile flower and confidence is what we need. Everyone is talking about the beneficial impact of the conference in Farmleigh...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (23 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I have regretted saying those words.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (23 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Why is Senator Doherty calling it a bailout of the banks?

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (23 Sep 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Helping the banking sector will be good for the economy.

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (15 Jul 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I disagree with Senator Fitzgerald when she says this legislation is watering down prohibition. To my mind it strengthens prohibition. She made the point that the law will not be as strong on retailers. The measures remain in place but it is at the discretion of the judge. That is not watering down prohibition. Section 6 in particular is an...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: It will come as a surprise to Senator Mullen when I agree with him on the issue of-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: No, not the House of Lords, I speak of the three women who are taking a case to the European Court of Human Rights on the matter of abortion. It is high time we in this country decided our laws for ourselves. As a mature democracy, we should do so. I ask the Leader to ask the Taoiseach to introduce legislation to deal with this issue at home so that nobody can accuse any other body,...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jul 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: Comments like that are not helpful.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Fiona O'Malley: The Cathaoirleach wants to make a ruling.