Results 221-228 of 228 for speaker:Déirdre de Búrca

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2009)

Déirdre de Búrca: I wish to make one final point because this is important. When we raised this issue over a year ago, many who contributed said they did not know enough and wanted to defer to mental health experts, psychiatrists and so on. That was over a year ago. We have had an opportunity here——

Seanad: Mental Health (Involuntary Procedures) (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2009)

Déirdre de Búrca: We have had an opportunity for hearings and to invite in experts but have not done so. We are still at the point we were at last year. No reforms or changes have been made to the Mental Health Act. Senators have made very good suggestions today about the need for people with serious mental health difficulties to have advocates, for advanced directives, considering approaches that have...

Seanad: Farming and Agrifood Sector: Statements (9 Dec 2009)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and the opportunity to make a statement on the agriculture and agrifood sectors. Like many others, I acknowledge the range of challenges facing both sectors. Senators referred to climate change, trade agreements, the pressure of large multiples pushing down the prices farmers get for their produce, the CAP reform proposals that have leaked...

Seanad: Climate Change: Statements (10 Dec 2009)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak about this important issue, particularly at a time when an international summit on climate change is taking place in Copenhagen. When I listened to the contributions of Senators, I was encouraged to hear they are convinced about the issue of climate change. I suggest that most of us should take...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin to the Seanad Chamber and congratulate him on his successful election yesterday. I believe he will make a very valuable contribution to the debate that occurs in this House. It is a good day for the Green Party because we have increased our representation in the Seanad by 50% overnight. I have no doubt Senator Ó Brolcháin will provide very effective...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister and I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate on the timely Communications Regulation (Premium Rate Services and Electronic Communications Infrastructure) Bill 2009. Senator Quinn mentioned some of the changes in the field. It is important for legislation to keep pace with the changes that are happening. The premium rate industry is one of growing...

Seanad: Standing Committee on Operational Cooperation on Internal Security: Motion (21 Jan 2010)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State and the opportunity to discuss this motion on a new Council standing committee on internal security, COSI. The shift within the provisions of the Lisbon treaty to a much more genuinely European or Community approach to justice and home affairs, as opposed to the more traditional inter-governmental approach, was supported and welcomed by the Green Party. Under...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (26 Jan 2010)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the opportunity to engage in the Second Stage debate on the Bill. As Senator Glynn said, the legislation is very welcome because it is long overdue, as most of us would accept. Both of the Minister's immediate predecessors in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government had spoken about their intent to introduce...