Results 361-380 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Jul 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I reiterate the points made by Senator Ulick Burke. I was delighted to read the Minister's submission on revamping the leaving certificate. This has been a special interest of mine for many years. A debate in the autumn would be welcome. Perhaps we could have a brainstorming exercise on how we should move forward. The new system might work as described in the submission but I would like a...

Seanad: Early Childhood Education: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State. I believe we should concentrate on what can be done for children from the time they are born up to the age of six. Where have matters gone wrong? These are the types of questions I was turning over in my mind as I listened to this debate. Conditions have changed dramatically for Irish society in recent years. There is the population increase, the prolonged...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I support the call by Senator Maurice Hayes for a discussion on immigration. I, too, listened to the programme this morning about how some Polish immigrants are treated in this country, which ties in with the current Irish Ferries debacle. If the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism comes to the House for a discussion on clamping near Croke Park, perhaps we could also refer to the allocation...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share time with Senator Jim Walsh.

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Statements. (6 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State. I am glad of the opportunity to contribute to the debate as, owing to my background, I have always been interested in the affairs of Northern Ireland throughout the years. Today is an opportunity to congratulate the Taoiseach on the political time he has put into attaining this result. There is no doubt that were it not for his leadership and persuasive skills...

Seanad: European Union: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Taoiseach and thank him for coming here to talk about the European Union and its constitution. I congratulate him on the fact that it was under his leadership during the Irish Presidency of the EU that the constitutional treaty was brought to its conclusion. Unfortunately, since then it has been rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands. This was a major shock. The...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I support the contributions of many speakers on the tragedy involving Mr. Walsh. However, there is a hidden agenda behind many of the comments. The issue should not be debated until we know the facts. I support the call for a debate but it should not be held today or tomorrow because we will only talk around the subject. The case has been highlighted and many Senators have stated it is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I do not want an untruth; I only want the facts. I am the first to say if something is wrong, it is wrong but I do not have the facts.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Finucane's call for a debate on the drop-out rate of students aged 14 years of age in disadvantaged areas. This is a serious issue because it is too late to help these students if they drop out at that age. Their problems should be detected earlier, perhaps before they leave primary education. The Minister for Education and Science is aware of the problem but I call on the...

Seanad: Home Help Service: Motion. (19 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and I welcome his report on the home help service and its importance to the wider community. I acknowledge that we are living in different times with changes in the demographic profile of the country and with people living longer. It is natural to study this subject to see how best to enhance the quality of life of the elderly population in the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: That is correct.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I extend my sympathy to Hazel and members of Liam Lawlor's family. I knew Liam for many years, having served with him on the old Dublin County Council. What happened last Sunday was hurtful and it made me cry to think of the effect on his family. The media have reached an all-time low and have debased the profession of journalism. They have destroyed good people. In the past they have...

Seanad: Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements. (26 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I, too, welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy. I have listened to so much of the debate this afternoon that I am a little confused. I came in with one set of guidelines for myself and now I am——

Seanad: Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements. (26 Oct 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I am good at that all right but I would agree with many of the points raised, which perhaps were not in my own thinking when I started out initially. The Lisbon Agenda started in 2000. The idea behind it was that by 2010 the Europe Union must be the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy. I began to think about that sentence, asked myself what it means and considered how we...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate the Government on the progress made to date. The Government will spend more than €12 billion on welfare entitlements, double the figure of only four years ago. For every €3 of taxpayers' money spent by the State in 2005, €1 will go to welfare support. This year, welfare benefits and vital supports have increased by three times the...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I am pleased the motion was tabled at this particular time in light of what has happened in recent days and weeks. It is important that we talk about juvenile crime because if we do not curb it now the next generation of gangs will emerge on our streets. I wish to deal with the amendment to the motion. I agree with the Minister of State...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I could not agree more with Senator O'Meara. The earlier the intervention the better. We must examine how best we move forward with intervention strategies. I could speak at length on this subject having been involved in this area for much of my career. I welcome the introduction of welfare conferencing by the Minister of State, which would involve probation officers, the Department of Social...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I would welcome a back-up service in this regard. Teachers are aware of absenteeism and who is not contributing to the class, which are indicators that a problem may exist. It is important that we would get the infrastructure right in regard to education, social welfare, the probation service and the community at large. A multi-agency approach is required. I am not convinced that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments on the protection of property. It is not just a rural subject but extends to urban areas. Local government has a role to play in lighting and security; insurance and alarm systems also have a role. This is a global debate so I ask the Acting Leader to place it on the agenda quickly.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: That is a good one.