Results 301-320 of 2,007 for speaker:Máire Devine

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance and Control Procedures in Tusla - Child and Family Agency: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Máire Devine: It is not negotiable. In my professional life, I have been reporting to Tusla continually. As public representatives, we receive telephone calls from constituents who have been reported to Tusla by various individuals, such as partners or neighbours. They plead, "They have got it wrong, they have got it wrong, they have got it wrong". Most of us at the other end of the telephone,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Governance and Control Procedures in Tusla - Child and Family Agency: Discussion (22 Feb 2017)

Máire Devine: To err is human. In this regard, I include myself. I will concentrate on my last question, or perhaps my last observation. Tusla's priority is rightly to focus on children currently at risk. It is, however, swamped with historical allegations. Could the witnesses give me some idea of the percentage of staff who are involved in the investigation which needs to be put on the back burner or...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2017)

Máire Devine: Owen Keegan.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2017)

Máire Devine: I refer to two important issues that have been raised. The first is the Devine and Resilience Ireland reports which were published earlier. We have not had time to trawl through them in detail but the horrific nature of what happened and the issue of people turning a blind eye to horrific child sexual abuse or sexual abuse of vulnerable adults are evident along with the issue of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: Well done, Senator Kelleher.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: I echo the remarks of the father of the House about Good Friday; not on religious grounds but to keep it as it is on public health grounds and for workers. I want to raise EU roaming charges and the giant loophole that came to light today which makes a joke of the EU's roaming law. Any people who booked their summer holidays would have been delighted to think they were not going to pay...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Up to 1.2 million people across Dublin depend on the Dublin Fire Brigade emergency medical services. Dubliners proudly support Dublin Fire Brigade. This is evident from the rally that took place last night outside City Hall, Dublin. Those at the rally were supported by each grouping on the council, including the group of the Minister's party,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: I dispute and reject the emotional blackmail being directed at 24/7 first responders. It is similar to what occurred when nurses voted to strike. The only interest shown at the time was in who had died. The Minister of State takes a similar line in arguing that only patients will suffer. Firefighters do not take industrial action lightly. They have been forced into doing so and the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: That is unfortunate.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: I ask the Minister of State to take note of the emotional language used in the reply he gave. He indicated that departmental officials had engaged with Dublin City Council and the HSE on the back of the HIQA report. Why are they not engaging with the experts and professionals working at the coalface who know about value for money? They also know what response is needed for patients and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Ambulance Service Provision (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: In that case, this discussion is pointless.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: There are many issues to raise but, along with many others, I really need to raise the Tuam babies case and mother and baby institutions. Tomorrow is International Women’s Day and to gel it all together I was at the Flowers for Magdalenes event on Sunday. This is the sixth time we have hosted the event. I listened to the stories of the women. One woman said: "They took my hair;...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (7 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: The wealth possessed by the church in this country was built on the back of the sweat and toil of my parents, your parents and our grandparents as well as on the tithe they gave every week to the church. It is time to give it back to the people.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: On a point of order, given that it is International Women's Day, on which the Leader has just congratulated all of us, perhaps it might be nice for females to lead today.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: It is not populism. I am referring to the day that is in it.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: I still think it was an interesting point of order and I would still like to see a female Cathaoirleach and Leader in the House today. That is up to both of the individuals concerned but it would be a good thing to do. I offer my condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Clondalkin. Senator Humphreys mentioned that members of Dublin Fire Brigade were in Leinster House yesterday when...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: "Fair City" will be all-female tonight.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: That is what the firefighters are seeking.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: It is planned for Saturday.

Seanad: Commission of Investigation Announcement on Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (9 Mar 2017)

Máire Devine: I welcome the Minister back to the House on another very sad occasion in our collective history. The outrage and sadness throughout the country is palpable. We have staggered from scandal to scandal in recent years and it has sent the country reeling. People are disturbed, shocked and bewildered. We are a society in mourning for the countless losses and deaths and the unspeakable criminal...