Results 4,121-4,140 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: That was a cheap political broadcast. On the matter of housing and the homeless crisis, it is clear that much work has been done. While there is a long way to go, a plan is being put in place. Like everything that is complicated, it is not simply a matter of finding everybody who does not have a home and saying, "Here, there's a home." Everybody who tries to reduce it to such a simplistic...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: It is not happening. Senator Mooney is not listening.

Seanad: Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: I do not have much to add other than to echo the words of previous speakers. This is a day of positive politics and a good day for the Seanad. This is the type of collaboration we do not see enough of and it is very welcome, irrespective of one's age. We do not discuss often enough the moments when we succeed. I thank my colleagues opposite for introducing the legislation and the Minister...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (14 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: This is a very useful submission, where somebody has a good idea. People often say, "But if we did this...". That we can give the research back and can give a cogent answer allows the person to say that it was worth doing. It is a very small example of the fact the petitions committee is not that complex and that people can feel free to use this committee, if they have an idea they think...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (14 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: It might be worth noting the petitioner is almost ahead of the curve in that they are so enthusiastic and willing to help, and want something to happen. The apparatus of government is still sorting out how it should respond. Certain commitments have been given by the Government and it is to be hoped they will be followed up on. Plans are being drawn up, but, in a way, it was almost...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: How do I follow that? The Minister is welcome, as is her commitment and perseverance with this Bill. It is, if I might say, a marriage of the best of Fine Gael and the best of the Labour Party in terms of our having been able to come together and hold the referendum in the lifetime of this Government and to introduce this Bill in such a speedy manner. It shows that while we can disagree,...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: Little could Gilbert Baker, the man who designed the first rainbow flag for the San Francisco freedom day parade in June 1978, have known that his flag and its values would be embraced with such enthusiasm around the world and, finally, in Ireland with such great joy this year. Gilbert Baker assigned the values of life, healing, sunlight, nature, art and harmony to the colours of the flag....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Tuarascáil Bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga: Díospóireacht (21 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: Gabh mo leithscéal, a Chathaoirligh Ghníomhaigh, ach tá fadhb ann leis an bhfuaim. Ní raibh fadhb ann nuair a bhí an coimisinéir ag caint ach tá fadhb ann anois. Tá sé an-deacair é a chloisint. Tá hum de shaghas éigin ann anois ach ní raibh sé ann nuair a bhí an ban-ateangaire ag caint níos luaithe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Tuarascáil Bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga: Díospóireacht (21 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: There was no problem at the beginning but there is a problem now. Whoever was speaking-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Tuarascáil Bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga: Díospóireacht (21 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: I think it may be something small on the male interpreter's end because it was perfectly fine when the woman was speaking.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Tuarascáil Bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga: Díospóireacht (21 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: Níl móran Gaeilge agamsa freisin agus mar sin b'fhearr liom labhairt as Béarla. The commissioner stated that the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has the capacity or the capability to change the public bodies named in Schedule 1 to the Act. What is the commissioner's understanding of the reason that has not happened? What debate has there been, if any? What...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: I take the opportunity to welcome the Connaught-Ulster Alliance's first step towards a technological university. It has been given approval by the Higher Education Authority and the Minister for Education and Skills. The alliance is made up of IT Sligo, Letterkenny IT and GMIT in Galway. While they have been, if one likes, last to the table on the technological university front, it is good...

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: That has nothing to do with section 23.

Seanad: Marriage Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Oct 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: We all made history and now we are all equal. It is a very happy day. Let us hold our heads up high. Roll on the weddings.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Nov 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: Before I speak on The Guardianreport on the Irish fishing industry, I assure Senator Mooney that I do not believe that there is any kind of soap opera going on between the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, and Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. The issue of housing and the capacity to sort it out will take a number of weeks. There is...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the Minister to the House. She has been here several times recently, which is good. Any legislation that strengthens the role of one of our cultural institutions and makes it more accountable is to be welcomed. Members of the public often complain that State organisations are not accountable. These proposals represent a good step forward in addressing that issue. While the...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: Of course. Perhaps Leitrim also. Part of the reason why we wanted to encourage the national institutions to hold hands, as it were, with Sligo through the Yeats piece was to make sure that people who do not get the chance to travel to our national institutions, because they do not have the time or money, have the chance to understand that these are our national institutions and that we have...

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: What a good idea.

Seanad: National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Nov 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: How can Senator Ó Murchú sit on the board of the National Concert Hall and be on the committee at the same time?

Seanad: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (4 Nov 2015)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister for being with us and for introducing this legislation. It is always good when there is cross-party support. The Bill is clearly a step in the right direction. As others have said, the State's record regarding vulnerable children has not always been good. In such circumstances, this legislation is welcome. I commend colleagues on the health committee on the work they...