Results 281-300 of 375 for speaker:Margaret Cox

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (21 Mar 2006)

Margaret Cox: At 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Seanad: State Airports. (5 Apr 2006)

Margaret Cox: I am glad we are discussing this issue in the Seanad this evening and I am delighted the Minister of State at the Department of Transport is here to outline the details of his discussions with the Dublin Airport Authority. However, it saddens me that we need to have this discussion at all. It would have been much better if we could have considered the sale of Great Southern Hotels not as a...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Margaret Cox: I move: That Seanad Éireann: —notes the ongoing commitment of the parties in government to the National Pensions Reserve Fund which is helping to ensure future generations of the elderly will be properly provided for; —congratulates the Government for maintaining the National Pensions Reserve Fund and the payment of 1% of GNP per annum into the fund; —welcomes the fact that in the...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Margaret Cox: I thank all Senators who have spoken in this debate. It is interesting that there is a great communality between the views that have been expressed and a clear focus in regard to the problem that we are working towards solving in the future. I reiterate the point regularly made by Senator Terry when we debate the pensions issue in this House. It is appropriate for us to examine the National...

Seanad: Lone Parents: Statements. (23 May 2006)

Margaret Cox: I welcome the Minister to the House, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. I congratulate the Minister on addressing the matter. It can be sensitive at times, and no matter what is said, comments can sometimes be interpreted the wrong way. The way the Minister has acted — with an open, transparent, involved and inclusive method — has created the type of...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (2 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I heard what the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said in the Dáil on the issues that have been raised. I wish to raise an issue of major concern. I refer to the issue of inequality under section 5 of the legislation — that may not be the correct section because I find it difficult to understand the Bill fully. While I agree that it is perfectly fair and legitimate to protect...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (2 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: On a point of order, a number of Senators, myself in particular, did not have an opportunity to put forward a full argument on Second Stage. A guillotine was applied in the Lower House and it would not be appropriate to apply one here also. It is essential that I get the opportunity to discuss the amendment I tabled. I object to the Order of Business and appeal to the Leader of the House to...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed). (2 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I have put down an amendment to section 5 on this point, although that may not be the right way to deal with it. It is a fact of life that 15, 16 and 17 year olds have consensual sex. A difficulty arises if somebody challenges this behaviour and reports it to the Garda. I may be incorrect on a point of law but if the DPP has no discretion to prosecute a prima facie case against either of the...

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (2 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I move amendment No. 9: In page 4, line 5, before "female" to insert "male or". On behalf of the parents of Ireland, I ask whether it is possible that a 16 year old son who has consensual sex with a 16 year old girl be prosecuted under this legislation. I ask for a guarantee that this will not be the case. If the guarantee is not possible, then this amendment should be added to the section....

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (2 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: On a point of order——

Seanad: Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2006: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages. (2 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: Níl.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I wish to address two points. Will the Acting Leader arrange for a debate on the situation in which we found ourselves last Friday? On the Order of Business, it was clarified by the Leader that no guillotine would be applied to the legislation. Everyone with whom I spoke also had this impression. The House faced a great emergency and the legislation was one of the most serious Bills to be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: If Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform are to appear before the House and treat it like a rubber stamp, I want to speak on the importance of the Seanad. Previously, someone described the position of a Cathaoirleach as that of a eunuch. Many Senators have been elected. We traipsed around the country, sought mandates from the people, were each elected to do a job and are all paid...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I was told by an official in the Department that the Minister was determined not to accept any amendments. That is not good enough, we cannot be treated in that manner. If the Seanad is not to be treated properly, it should be abolished. Our money and time should not be wasted. When is it intended to bring the legislation we passed last week back to the House? We did not have time to debate...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I am entitled to speak about forthcoming debates and legislation. It is not acceptable that these Houses passed legislation, under duress, that makes boys less equal than girls. We cannot allow this legislation to remain on the Statute Book. The Taoiseach may deal with the issue in the Dáil and pass it to an Oireachtas committee. I appeal for the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice,...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Motion. (7 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I thank Senator Scanlon for sharing his time with me, given that it was so short. I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring certain issues to the attention of the Minister of State. It must be admitted that there is a crisis in respect of housing. Many people around the country do not have the opportunity to buy their own homes, nor do they know when they will be in a position to do so....

Seanad: Social Partnership Agreement: Motion. (21 Jun 2006)

Margaret Cox: I welcome the opportunity to debate this motion and the amendment. When I read the amendment I felt these words rang true and we needed to study what was happening under social partnership. I am committed to the concept of social partnership and believe it has been an integral part of the development of the economy and the so-called Celtic Tiger. However, social partnership is not without...

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Margaret Cox: I wish to share my time with Senator Mansergh.

Seanad: Institutes of Technology Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Margaret Cox: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Institutes of Technology Bill. Given that my time is limited, I will make a number of focused points. I was asked by a number of people who work in the area to raise an issue which may have already been dealt with in the Dáil — I have read the debate but am not sure — regarding section 13. Perhaps the Minister will be able to address it in her...

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme (26 Oct 2006)

Margaret Cox: I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. It is timely that I raise this matter given that October is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer related deaths in Ireland, with an average of 1,726 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Of that number, 700 women — mothers, sisters or daughters —...