Results 941-960 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Public Transport in the Greater Dublin Area: Statements. (9 Nov 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well. I worked with him when he was Minister of State with responsibility for the elderly and he will fulfil his new role well. The introduction of the national development plan has resulted in significant investment to revitalise transport in the greater Dublin area. The two Luas lines have been a great success. The journey from...

Seanad: Report of National Advisory Committee on Drugs: Statements (Resumed). (3 Nov 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and wish him well in his brief. I have listened to him debating this matter. He has great empathy for the subject. Today we are holding a timely mid-term review of how the strategy is working. The survey on the prevalence of different types of drugs is useful as it is important to have the facts. We may have to revamp our strategy based on the kinds of drugs...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share my time with Senator Kitt.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister. I did not intend to speak on the motion but I am glad that it was brought forward because it gives us the opportunity to discuss whether peace can be achieved and whether there is any way to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict and the awful mess in Iraq. I have given some thought to the matter and I believe there is a way to achieve these things. Senator Lydon...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Ann Ormonde: We were not shocked.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to highlight a dispute between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the new framework for qualifications for craft persons. While FÁS qualifications are the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, there is confusion and many people have asked me at what level the bachelor...

Seanad: Report on Seanad Reform: Statements (Resumed). (30 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well for the next two years in office. I agree with Senator Bradford that too drastic changes would be dangerous. This Chamber has served the public very well. This is my third term in the Seanad and my father and brother also served here. Over the years my family has made a significant contribution to this House and we acknowledge its...

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate the efforts of Deputy Mary Wallace when she dealt with this matter and brought it so far although for some reason it went no further. I also compliment the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, for launching the national disability strategy last week. Having listened to the previous speakers, I...

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: Why table an amendment? Everyone will be pushing for this money to be allocated.

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: We do not need the Senator to tell us that.

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am trying to do that.

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: Why was the amendment tabled, particularly if it is stated that the Opposition agrees with everything in the Bill?

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: The legislation is already in place. The equality framework relating to equal employment has been in existence since 1998, while people also have access to the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Equality Act 2004. A couple of months ago we put in place the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. We are carrying out the preparation and it took a great deal of time to progress...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome Jody Blake and Senator Kate Walsh back to this Chamber. I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, on their efforts to try to secure the release of the hostage, Mr. Bigley, in light of the fact that his mother comes from Dublin. It is very important that every effort be made and I congratulate our Government on its exertions to that end. Since...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister and thank him for his broad outline of the policies and objectives of the Bill and also for clarifying some of the problems that have emerged in recent days that have been a cause for concern to many, including me. In his reply, I urge the Minister to reinforce his comments on those issues to counteract the spin-doctoring that may have gone on in recent days. In recent...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Ann Ormonde: The Senators opposite are engaging in political point-scoring. What is the difference between introducing the Bill now and doing so in six months? I ask the Minister to pursue this concept because it is good and to ensure the business plan will be a success. The right business people, who know what they are talking about, should be put in place. If the right people are doing the right jobs,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Jul 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I share the views expressed by all Senators on the North of Ireland and the traumatic situation in the Middle East. We have discussed the number of road deaths in recent weeks, but I would like to emphasise particularly the age profile of those who have died. We need to ask a fundamental question — why is it happening? The rules, regulations, directives and principles which are laid down...

Seanad: EU Presidency: Motion. (7 Jul 2004)

Ann Ormonde: Ours was a great Presidency which reflected very well on the country. As the Minister of State said, we are a small nation but we wear the green jersey very well. When the going gets tough, we get going. We have a superb Civil Service, which reflects our educational system, as we saw with the superb brains behind the scenes that delivered on each programme stage by stage. Many contributors...

Seanad: EU Presidency: Motion. (7 Jul 2004)

Ann Ormonde: It did not arise, even at a time when Ireland was on the international stage. We have risen to the challenge and no longer suffer from an inferiority complex or low self-esteem. We have made our role in Europe work. The new constitution has evolved from positive thinking. I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, well and I hope his portfolio will not be changed, although there may be good...

Seanad: EU Presidency: Motion. (7 Jul 2004)

Ann Ormonde: Due to the Minister of State's understanding of European affairs, he should be the key person to push this positive thinking forward. The media is now beginning to come round, but I ask them to adopt a positive role in the next six months because we are in a make or break situation. Citizens want us to work for them and we must make them understand that the EU constitution is for the good of...