Results 4,281-4,300 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I second the amendment. The Minister will be aware that Senator Bradford and I have spoken at length on this issue. We strongly believe that an allowance of €21,045 that has been allocated to us should no longer be paid to Fine Gael, a party from which both of us have been expelled. This money is made available to fund the political system. As parliamentarians who work on behalf...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is up to the individual.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is taxpayers' money.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: On a point of order, I thank the Minister for having the debate.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The amendment was tabled in good faith and is a no-brainer. It is clearly unfair that this practice is to continue. I ask the Minister to reflect on the matter again before we consider where we take it next.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It did not work.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I second the motion. It is important that the Minister examine broadening the range of categories that qualify for Senators to claim within the €12,000 cap. There is no request for any extra money. It is just a request to broaden the categories for which Senators may claim. I will give some examples. I am based in Galway and have one assistant, supplied by two people who job...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Discussion (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Tá fáilte roimh an painéal go léir. I meet many people who have difficulties with increasing health insurance costs. Some of these questions are as much for the Minister as the witnesses present, but I will pose them anyway. A customer may attend a public hospital and declare that they have private health insurance. Some people are now asking themselves, however, what...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Discussion (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The VHI spoke about having more creative and innovative approaches to the market. It is clear there is a budgetary crisis in the health system and the Minister is looking at various ways of funding it. If the State were to split up or part-sell VHI, what effect would this have on the cost of health insurance?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Discussion (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I appreciate that but, fundamental to all of this, the reason we have this Bill is because the Minister is increasing costs in the system. I have an example of a couple in their late 70s.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Discussion (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a critical question. I have an example of a couple in their late 70s paying €4,500 for plan C with VHI. If the State were to split up or part-sell VHI, could that couple be served elsewhere in the market and get the same service?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2013: Discussion (28 Nov 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is important. We are trying to reduce the cost of health insurance.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Senator Quinn said we are faster than the Danes when it comes to digital payments. However, PISA results published earlier which compare 15 year olds across Europe show we are not yet faster than the Finns. I attended the launch of the report earlier. It is good that we have steadied the ship but there is worrying news. One in every five of our 15 year olds is underperforming in maths and...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is great news that we are moving up the rankings as a good country in which to do business. I wish to raise two matters with the Leader. It is very important that an independent person is appointed to sort out the mess between the Department of Education and Skills, the Minister and the ASTI. The sides are very strident. The last thing we want is for children to lose out. Children in...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State. It is good to speak on this Bill, which is crucial because we cannot live without water. It is a basic need and a matter of public health. I have concerns about the service level agreement, whether it is a 12-year or a 30-year agreement. I have spoken to councils and they are concerned. With less than one month to go until January, many councils to whom I...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Councils. I will deal with the service level agreement first.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is my first opportunity to speak on the Bill.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have some questions about the service level agreement, which are valid in respect of this amendment.

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Will these issues be sorted out by the transfer date? These include the question of who will take over liability for senior staff pensioners, now retired, and whether the domestic allowance that must be paid will be passed on to councils. Some councils fear it will come out of the local government fund. This will short-change customers and put councils on the back foot. What happens if we...

Seanad: Water Services (No. 2) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (10 Dec 2013)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have these questions for the Minister of State, and it is great to have him here-----