Results 261-280 of 504 for speaker:Mary White

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Mary White: While I agree in principle that more transparency and regulation is what we need, I believe, coming from a business background, that having a forensic audit every 30 days would not be practical. It would put a huge onus on a vast volume of financial transactions taking place within any 30-day working period. I agree that there must be an end to light touch regulation. We now have a new...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Mary White: And physically.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Mary White: I welcome the amendment. We had sought this earlier in the process of this legislation. I also welcome amendments Nos. 18 and 59, particularly in the light of what other speakers have said about the need for scrutiny and overseeing. One of the amendments provides that the quarterly report shall include information on the number of loans outstanding, the number of legal proceedings listed,...

International Human Trafficking: Motion (Resumed) (18 Nov 2009)

Mary White: I thank Deputy O'Rourke for sharing her time. I am delighted to be able to speak on this issue, which is so important. I thank Deputy Naughten for bringing it before the House. It is apt that we are approaching the 12 days, commencing next week, which will highlight the problem of violence against women. In dealing with our constituents we all hear these sad stories about the plight of...

Bovine Disease Controls. (19 Nov 2009)

Mary White: I wish to raise this matter to find out more definitively what replacement methods are proposed for the culling of badgers with more effective and humane methods of control, as set out in the revised programme for Government. My concern is that the current method of control, a stopped-restraint, is a euphemism for an ugly snare which can have the effect of causing intense suffering to the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2009)

Mary White: Question 299: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the manner in which transferral of current wards of court into the new guardianship system will occur through the forthcoming mental capacity Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42667/09]

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (24 Nov 2009)

Mary White: Question 300: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consultation he has had with representatives of wards of court and their families in drafting the forthcoming mental capacity Bill. [42669/09]

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (24 Nov 2009)

Mary White: Question 544: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he expects to make a final decision on whether he will sanction a post-primary school managed by Educate Together. [42670/09]

Written Answers — School Patronage: School Patronage (24 Nov 2009)

Mary White: Question 545: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his view on whether the sanctioning of a post-primary school under Educate Together management would involve the creation of a new governance structure. [42671/09]

Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2009)

Mary White: I thank Deputy Brady for sharing his time. This is not just another piece of legislation; it is a most important Bill which cuts to the heart of family life and the real longing of people to become parents. Unfortunately, many people cannot become parents because of a variety of reasons, and they may long to become adoptive parents. Significantly, the most e-mails I have ever received have...

Organic Farming. (26 Nov 2009)

Mary White: I presume that due to climate change there are opportunities for organic milk producers to benefit in their pockets to a greater extent than those who practice conventional farming because they do not face the increased burden of inputs. Is the figure of an 11% increase in organic milk production the most up-to-date figure available? Do the rules make it easier for farmers to convert from...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (26 Nov 2009)

Mary White: Question 30: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of uptake there has been in view of the recent introduction of the voluntary code of practice scheme for farmers' markets; the potential contribution farmers' markets will make to improving the potential level of income for primary producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43459/09]

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (26 Nov 2009)

Mary White: Question 73: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the size of the domestic market for organic fruit and vegetables; the percentage of this produce produced domestically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43458/09]

Climate Change: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Mary White: I wish to share my time with Deputy Cuffe. This is one of the last opportunities the House will have to discuss this issue before the Irish Government takes its place among the nations at Copenhagen. The events of the past ten days have been a painful reminder of the impact climate change will have on our country and, while some people might debate whether climate change or poor planning is...

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (1 Dec 2009)

Mary White: I will share time with Deputy Cuffe, if he has not gone fishing. Perhaps I should declare my interest. I live on the side of a great river in Carlow, the Barrow. Its 119 miles rise in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and it passes through Carlow. I spent many years fishing for eels and salmon before stocks got low. I am happy to be a true conservationist now. My fyke nets are hung up in my...

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (1 Dec 2009)

Mary White: Exactly. We are in a three-year interregnum.

Inland Fisheries Bill 2009: Second Stage (1 Dec 2009)

Mary White: After many years of gestation, the Bill is before the House and I welcome the opportunity to speak on it. That there would be a new definition of how the boards are run is important. In 1990, I heard with great shock that four officers from the south western fisheries board had been killed in an accident in Ballycotton. I remember thinking what an appalling event it was. At the time, I...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Dec 2009)

Mary White: I am sharing my time with Deputy Ciarán Cuffe. This is a most important debate and I am delighted to welcome this legislation. It should have been put in place many years ago because we are now reaping the rewards - probably the wrong word - or the pain of poor planning over many years. All of us in the House have experience of bad planning, particularly those of us who came through the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Dec 2009)

Mary White: This is still going on and we must stop it, otherwise we will have the worst name in Europe for not looking after our small towns and villages and even our bigger towns. The most important aspect of this Bill is the provision for evidence-based core strategy in development plans. These development plans and the housing strategy must now be consistent with regional planning guidelines and the...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (2 Dec 2009)

Mary White: He also called it an assault on local democracy. It is certainly not the Minister's intention to have an assault on local democracy. He wants to give more powers to local authorities and reform local government to ensure we have good sustainable planning. I do not think anybody in local government should fear this legislation if planning is sound and sustainable. Ireland is a small...