Results 4,081-4,100 of 4,931 for speaker:Mary White

Seanad: Science Week: Statements (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I congratulate Deputy Sherlock on his activities to date as Minister of State with responsibility for science and innovation and on the passion he has put into his work. I know his father, looking down, will be very proud of him. Science Week promises to be a very beneficial initiative to bring science closer to the people. Science Week also awards us the unique opportunity to examine the...

Seanad: Science Week: Statements (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Hear, hear.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: It has been an enlightening and fascinating experience for which I congratulate the three witnesses. I know they are doing their best in terms of advertising their work but even if the three witnesses got a session on television to present what they are doing, it would be helpful because we need new jobs and it has been said earlier that small businesses are the ones creating the jobs. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: That is fascinating because I have been in business for 16 years and a politician since 2002 and was asked to talk to a constituent of one of the Deputies in my party. I ran up against a stone wall about getting her help from the county enterprise boards because they do not help hair salons. I have visited her salon and this lady employs people. It is a great shame. I tried to include...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I apologise for interrupting but if it is a business like a hair salon that employs five or six people, it is not eligible for money and mentoring either.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I understand-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: In this particular case, this lady is well able to get business but she cannot afford to take on a business partner. She needs business advice on a fortnightly basis. I do not accept what the Chairman said about displacement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I tried to change it in respect of the county enterprise boards Bill and my amendment was rejected. I was talking about the possibility of voluntary activities. The board of Microfinance Ireland is voluntary. Is Ms Murray on the board?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Excellent. So Ms Murray is the board member. She is a patriot - fair dues to her. The point I was making is that the civil servants in here fail to grasp that mentoring is done by thousands of people on a voluntary basis. They did not want to know, so I must take it further. Does Ms Murray understand what I am saying? It is stupid. When I raised the matter, I was advised that this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: As an entrepreneur myself, I make the point that when starting Lir Chocolates, Connie Doody and I did not have a pen or pencil between us but we were obliged to work 24-7 for 16 years, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day. We went down the export route and there is the possibility that some of Microfinance Ireland's companies can also do that because we need companies that will export...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: That is absolutely critical. However, in the case of the county enterprise board, its chief executive, Harry McGee, agreed with me that he would help that lady. He did that himself and accepted it. It is an issue that must be dealt with.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: The point I was making is that every business starts small.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: While 200 people currently are employed in Lir Chocolates now, it started with nothing. Consequently, it is possible to do it and it is mainly for export. While I am not boasting or anything, having experienced it myself, I am familiar with the trials, tribulations and challenges faced relentlessly on a daily basis.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I simply wished to congratulate the witnesses and to put my questions formally on the record.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland (12 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I thank Ms Kelly.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I am compelled to raise the serious matter of the Irish Russian adoption crisis, about which I spoke on two previous occasions. I am in contact with Ms Lisa Fennessy and Ms Pamela O'Reilly, two of the women who are enduring a state of extreme uncertainty and emotional pain on this issue. While the couples in question very much appreciate the commitment of the Attorney General, Máire...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

Mary White: The Russian babies and their potential parents' future rests in her hands. We must find a resolution as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I do not want anyone interrupting and giving their opinion. I recently submitted a parliamentary question on the issue to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs asking if legislation will be amended retrospectively to allow the number of families who hold declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt which were issued to them prior to 31 October 2010 and already have referrals of...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

Mary White: Through a colleague in the Dáil.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Nov 2013)

Mary White: I received the following response from the Minister: "The advice of the Attorney General has been sought and I understand that in principle it is possible to enact legislation which could retrospectively extend the period of validity to declarations." I am urgently and passionately calling on the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, to do something about the extreme...