Results 221-240 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am concerned that I would get confused if I kept listening to the Senator.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: That is one thing that cannot be said about me; I am as clear as a bell. Let us look at the benefits we will get from the implementation of these guidelines. We will identify again with a parish, our grassroots and our schools. Many rural schools are unviable because of the declining rural population.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: If the situation continued as it is, we would only have older people in rural Ireland, which would be an enormous burden on the health service. The benefits are enormous. This is great news and long may the Minister last to deliver on it. What I liked about these guidelines is that the Minister said there would be a shared view. He received submissions from the General Council of County...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I too was saddened to hear that some of the 1 May accession celebrations may be cancelled. This is a pity. Will the Leader give us an update on the position when she has further information? Where matters stand on the Lisbon strategy is an issue which arose at the spring Council meeting. We are at the half way point of the strategy which covers the period 2000 to 2010. I understand that...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (6 Apr 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State. I congratulate him on his work in all areas relating to Ireland's Presidency and on his role in bringing the EU closer to the citizen. It is worthwhile this morning to discuss the Irish Presidency and where we are at. A review of the spring European Council is necessary because we need to relate to the public at large again. It is natural that the debate so...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (6 Apr 2004)

Ann Ormonde: Yes, and it holds true for everything in life. I wish the Presidency well in that aspect of the Lisbon Agenda. If we do not provide more and better jobs, achieve greater competitiveness and work towards harmonisation of our qualifications we will not be able to help those who need to be helped. Unless there is competitiveness we will not have the money to work on our social model. An...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator should withdraw that remark.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: As spokesperson on European affairs, I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Government on how they conducted the ceremonies to celebrate European Union enlargement on 1 May. It was a great day to be Irish and for the Government. I am proud of how the Taoiseach and the Government conducted the ceremonies with superb panache. I ask that the House convey these congratulations to the Taoiseach, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I too would like to raise the issue of the horrific picture of the beheading of Mr. Berg, which was broadcast on international channels. Can our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, or the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, raise this matter at EU level and draw attention to the sensitivity of the pictures and their impact on the public in...

Seanad: Development Co-operation Objectives of Irish Presidency: Statements. (12 May 2004)

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

Seanad: Development Co-operation Objectives of Irish Presidency: Statements. (12 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his grasp of this brief for which he has a natural aptitude. That is clear from his speech, which is one I will read again because I am not well informed as to the amount of work on overseas development aid being done on our behalf by the Minister of State. Perhaps we should become more aware of the contribution Ireland is making towards...

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I too welcome the Minister and congratulate the Department on its efforts so far. I am not saying that matters are ideal by any means, but progress is being made. I have read the statistics on funding for residential placements and respite and day places over the past few years. From psychiatric hospitals, we have moved towards community-based houses, which is to be welcomed. Some measures...

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: One would have the parents, the home-school liaison officer, the guidance counsellor and the public health nurse around one. At the end of the process, I never got a report back or knew what was happening to the child in question. We never seemed to be able to get to the grand finale and say that the child would enter a certain arrangement with a specific plan and programme. I ask the...

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: It is not cloud cuckoo land. I know what I am talking about.

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: All I want is that people who enter college can get into occupational therapy through the backdoor system if they are good at their jobs, in terms of dealing with people. They should be——

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I know that when people apply for occupational therapy, they have to get so many points to do the course. That is wrong and the system should change. That is all I am saying. There is nothing wrong with making such a statement.

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: It is not avoiding the issue. It is part of the issue. We need professionals to deal with these young people. Occupational therapists are needed as are speech and language therapists. How do we get them?

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: We have to get them through training in our own colleges. If not, we must go on a recruitment drive outside the country to get them. I am glad the Department is taking that on board, but more needs to be done. I am not saying it is all rosy. I work in the system, as does Senator Burke, even though he is smiling to himself as if he knows it all.

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am glad to see we are doing our best. I am asking the Minister of State to ensure, when this new Bill is enacted, that all these structures are put in place and to try to provide a service. Anyone looking at the programme on television the other night would have such sympathy for parents who are trying to handle these cases and are not able to get the backup they need from the Department....

Seanad: Middle East Conflict: Statements. (26 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I will be brief because we are running out of time. I wish to share my time with Senator Kitt and Senator Leyden. When the invasion of Iraq began, I was one of those who advocated it. At dinner tables I spoke at length to many people who were against the invasion of Iraq, but I have come full circle in my thinking on it. I am so disappointed with the United States Administration. It has lost...