Results 921-940 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment which is also in my name and reiterate Senator Finucane's comments. While the Bill deals with the necessity to protect Irish cultural heritage, an issue about which we spoke at length on Committee Stage, it is important we include another dimension which could be useful to it. We often pay lip service to Ireland's role in the global community. In reality, Irish culture...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I commend the Minister on his open approach to this amendment. It was a sensible idea to begin with, and it is very well worth inserting into the legislation.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I would also like to commend the Minister and his officials for the work they have done on this legislation. I look forward to the time when the fund will be up and running, so that I can see it in practice. I would like to pick up on the comments made by Senator Henry. I would support the establishment of a television channel to continually broadcast the proceedings of the Oireachtas in...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (13 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: We asked for a debate in the House on the advertising code for children. If the Minister has a spare few minutes in the next few weeks, perhaps he will come to the House to listen to Senators' views on this issue, which is being examined in detail by the BCI.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I seek clarification on a procedural matter from either the Cathaoirleach or the Leader. While I would like to table a matter on the Adjournment on the future of Nenagh hospital, I am not sure if I should put it to the Minister for Health and Children or the Minister for Defence.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am not clear on this.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Cathaoirleach knows that I always play by the rules. I would like to know from the Minister for Defence where he was and what he did at Cabinet when the Hanly report came before him. Only when he saw 1,000 people in a packed hall in Nenagh did he suddenly realise he had a problem regarding the operation of the health services, not only in north Tipperary but across the country—

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: Perhaps Senator Leyden and the Minister, Deputy Walsh would take note of this.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is based on legislation passed by this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: Which Minister for health?

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: No, it is Government policy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: There is no clarity about it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is Government policy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Leader.

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I reiterate the points made by Senator Finucane. My amendment No. 5 proposes that a specified percentage of funding be allocated to community broadcasters. It is a pity the Bill does not go further in this regard. We made this point extensively on Second Stage. It has come up in the discussions between certain groups and the Minister's officials. The Bill is deficient in this regard....

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Minister referred to a generalised approach. While such an approach might be designed to mean everything, it usually means very little. Unless something is stated specifically in legislation, there is no guarantee that it will happen. In fact, there is every likelihood that it will not happen. We have enough experience to know this is the case. Therefore, I am disappointed with the...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, subsection (1)(a), lines 15 and 16, to delete "on Irish culture, heritage and experience" and substitute "the diversity of culture, heritage and experience on the island of Ireland". The Minister stated that the aim of this legislation is to provide additional high quality programmes for the audience and not for the programme makers. That is an important and...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I neglected to mention the global issue, which the Minister dealt with in his reply to Senator Quinn. An opportunity will be lost if this issue is not examined. I will put down an amendment to that effect on Report Stage. I would like to respond to Senator Quinn's proposal in respect of current affairs. His amendment suggests that current affairs be included in this fund. I fundamentally...

Seanad: Broadcasting (Funding) Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (11 Nov 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, subsection (2), between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following new paragraph: "(c) the start-up costs of community broadcasters,". Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.