Results 281-300 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements (Resumed) (24 Oct 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: That concludes the statements on social protection. When it is proposed to sit again?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020: Discussion with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (6 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I will try to be brief given the time constraints. There have been various queries about the timeframe. I know the Department officials have a range of experience as many have been involved in the negotiations on CAP in previous occasions. From the briefings I have had from officials it seems that the negotiations on the CAP have been awfully slow. It seems to be slow to the point of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020: Discussion with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (6 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: The Chairman means Senator Michael Comiskey.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Harvest 2020: Discussion with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (6 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: The same county but a different person.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the result of the election in the United States. It was a great achievement for President Obama to gain re-election in such difficult circumstances. I know we all wish him the best for the next four years. I trust that this will not be the final occasion on which the Seanad will be in a position to welcome the election or re-election of an...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: One of the best examples of the Seanad in practice was the Private Members' debate on the national dementia plan held just prior to half term. I wish to raise again the matter of mental health. In October, the Irish Association of Suicidology referred specifically to the lack of regulation for those people offering counselling to those with depression or in need of assistance. There is no...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received: P00036/12 and P00043/12 (7 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh. This is a good example of many of the petitions we will receive. They are genuine concerns and are what most of us would want enforced, encouraged or supported, but the committee is not the right vehicle to pursue them, unless the person concerned can indicate that he or she has exhausted many more avenues than this person has.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received: P00036/12 and P00043/12 (7 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: When writing to the Minister, could we ask whether there are any plans to change the requirements in the near future, and whether a person who has already applied can reapply if the rules are changed? I suggest that point be made; otherwise, from now on anyone who has previously been rejected will be rejected for good.

Seanad: Measures to Address Bullying: Motion (14 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister for being generous and giving of his time. I recently opened a seminar with the Sligo Education Centre on the Minister's behalf on bullying and cyberbullying. It took place after the untimely death of Ciara Pugsley and I would like to acknowledge her father's brave and dignified response and willingness to be part of what must be an extremely difficult debate for him....

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I add my voice and extend my sympathy and respect to the family of Savita Halappanavar, her husband, Praveen, her family and friends. Like Senator Healy Eames, I agree that a public inquiry should be arranged. The HSE and the hospital must carry out their inquiries. Sometimes, and it is not due to a lack of trust, difficult matters need a third eye or an additional opportunity involving...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank Mr. McKenna for the presentation. Is there a timeline by which this must be completed in terms of having the block of harvesting rights ready for sale? Terms of 50 and 80 years have been knocked around but I am unsure whether they are for 50 years or 80 years. Do these arrangements come with an option to renew? Clearly the details of any deal are rather important. I assume that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I asked some other questions, including one relating to the timeline for any sale.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I also asked whether there would be option rights for any buyer as part of a sale? Is that standard practice? The other question I asked related to the private company, Irish Forestry Funds, and its relationship with Coillte.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Mr. McKenna said the fund invests in immature forests.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Who owns the forests?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: We will meet outside.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I ask for clarification. Mr. McKenna said that part of the evaluation involved an assessment of the viability of the remaining business in order that it would not need to have recourse to State aid. I ask him to clarify what he means by that statement and to expand on it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: If a decision were taken to proceed with the sale of the harvesting rights, who would be responsible for deciding on the price that will apply? Whose advice would be taken in that regard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: The steering committee and its advisers. Obviously, the Government will have an input.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta: Discussion with Chairman Designate (20 Nov 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank Mr. McKenna.