Results 2,461-2,480 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I would like to follow up on what Senator Paschal Mooney has said and our Second Stage discussion on this issue. The Minister is establishing a special reform commission to examine the fairness of the social welfare system and the effectiveness of social protection. Perhaps, on or before September 2012, she might submit to the House an impact report on the effectiveness of the PRSI changes...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for her comments. I was particularly interested in her reference to the French experience where the effects of VAT rate reductions were quantified and made known. It would be useful, in these times of austerity, to show that we are seeking accountability from those on whom benefits are conferred. It would be worthwhile for the Minister to make such a call on...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Like Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, I, too, was concerned that those who would be affected by this provision would also be affected by JLC reviews. I put this point to a number of the hoteliers who appeared before us and was encouraged to hear them say they would only apply the measure to new, not existing employees. As the Minister said, having carried out her own research following what...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: On hearing about the raising of the pension age from 65 to 68, my first reaction was that we will be working forever. However, when I learned that currently, there are six workers for every one person on a pension and that if the current trend continues, there will be two workers for every one person on a pension by 2050, I just knew we must do something about it. From that point of view, I...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (28 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That is not true.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011: Motion for Earlier Signature (28 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2o of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am delighted that two top semi-State executives - Mr. Gabriel D'Arcy of Bord na Móna and Mr. John Mullins of Bord Gáis - have shown leadership by waiving their bonus payments. We need to see this type of leadership at this juncture. We should not have to introduce legislation to require people to forego their bonus payments. We said as a House yesterday that the bonus culture must go....

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The rioting and flames in Greece broadcast on our television screens are a salutary warning to us of what we just averted by having a general election at the time we did. Are the Greek people being unreasonable in rioting? The answer is no. They are rioting because they were left in the dark as a result of bad government. The only policy now has to be truth and honesty. What we are...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In the light of this-----

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In the light of this and to be helpful to Members on all sides of the House, I ask the Deputy Leader to invite the Minister for Finance who I do not believe has been here since the start of this Seanad term to talk to us about the implications of the instability in the European Union for Ireland. While things are changing on a daily basis, I would like to see a roadmap, if possible. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: As did Senator Henry, I found it deplorable to learn that a 14 year old child lost an opportunity to have a life-saving operation over the weekend.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have one question only. Why was the Government jet not accepted by the Health Service Executive?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a major issue. Every parent is outraged that this-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Why was the Government jet not accepted by the HSE to bring this child for a transplant?

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Why does the HSE continue to operate as if it is an independent republic, even in the case of Roscommon County Hospital? We have learned that the Minister for Health was doing his best behind the scenes to ensure that Roscommon County Hospital was safe, but the HSE officials are talking about the redeployment of staff. There are totally mixed messages and that is not good enough for our people.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is not unusual to learn that a black market thrives during a recession. However, I heard about two cases last weekend that absolutely horrified me, where consultants in a midland hospital and a Dublin hospital are seeking cash payments from their patients. Will the Leader bring this to the attention of the Minister for Health and ask him to issue a directive in this regard? Obviously,...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State with responsibility for housing to the House. He must engage in joined-up thinking and involve organisations such as Threshold, which has produced these figures, the local authorities which have lists of people waiting for homes-----

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Jul 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: -----and the landlords. In Galway city, for example, there are 7,000 on council waiting lists.