Results 4,361-4,380 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Expenditure Issues: Irish Water - Uisce Éireann (14 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is not unusual to hire someone on secondment for 18 months if he or she has the right expertise and there was an 18 month timeframe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Expenditure Issues: Irish Water - Uisce Éireann (14 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: If the Acting Chairman does not mind, I require clarification on the four contracts reported on which were not subject to public procurement and EU procurement rules. Is it true that they were not open to others to tender?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Expenditure Issues: Irish Water - Uisce Éireann (14 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I take this point completely, but Irish Water is being billed for the process, even though the contracts came through Bord Gáis.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Who knows what the savings might be?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Who knows?

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish my colleagues and friends in the House a happy new year. This has not been a nice new year for everybody. I was very saddened by a call I received last Sunday with regard to the horrific death of Tom O'Gorman. He was a very fine thinker and researcher and someone I had got to know recently. I offer my sympathies to his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Yesterday...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have a question for the Leader. People tabled questions to the Minister, of which Uisce Éireann was aware but it had no responsibility to answer them, but the Minister did not answer them either. I learned that rushed legislation, secret deals, and no answers except for a €50 million leak-----

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am coming to my question. This is despicable politics by the Minister, Deputy Hogan. I am ashamed to state it but it is true. It is not good enough for him to state he did not know, otherwise why is he in the position? We need a debate in the House on Oireachtas reform, which is required to ensure good parliamentary practice whereby Members of the Seanad and Dáil are not viewed...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They rely on us and we are being viewed with contempt. It is not good enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU Presidency Priorities of Greece: Ambassador of Greece (16 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the ambassador to the meeting. Deputy Bernard Durkan referred to Greece's long and proud history and the fact that Greece gave democracy to the world. Now is another opportunity for Greece to lead in Europe. We have all endured tough times but perhaps Greece had the toughest time of all. However, that difficult experience could provide a potential for inspiration. What lessons...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I support the call for an urgent debate on Syria. I am extremely concerned about the emerging evidence in regard to detainees and the potential for crimes against humanity being committed there. The conflict in Syria has been going on for a long time. We need to consider what new actions can be taken to ensure that citizens are protected. I would appreciate having that debate as soon as...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I say to Senators that they should not be afraid of reform.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We were elected to this House to be able to voice people's concerns at this time in Ireland, and to have a more positive and optimistic Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is not a promotion it is a fact.

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: My question is as follows. How serious are we about reform?

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Change is always a challenge for all of us. To be fair we also have to have the courage. This is a time for courage. History is up to us.

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I read with some surprise in the Irish Independent today that in the case of people whose mortgages are in arrears and who die, their mortgage protection policy does not cover the amount outstanding on the mortgage. One should not hear this news at a time of a bereavement. This came to light in the circumstances of the sad case related to Priory Hall when Stephanie Meehan's partner passed...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That was contradicted in the committee.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In view of the comments of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, at the principal's conference, I call for a debate in the House with him on how teachers can manage an already overloaded curriculum of 11 subjects within an overcrowded day which includes the teaching of religion. His comments are regrettable. When he answered a principal who asked how one could...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (29 Jan 2014)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank Senator O’Brien. I am delighted to be a signatory to the motion. I thank Senator Zappone and Senator Quinn for leading on the matter. We are talking about Seanad reform again. We await the response of the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, because a roadmap needs to be laid out today on how serious, rigorous reform of the Seanad will take place. We could not have received a...