Results 421-440 of 935 for speaker:Mary Moran

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Medical Card Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Mary Moran: I thank the Minister of State for his answer and take on board everything he has said. In recent years, however, there has been a clampdown on medical cards for people with disabilities. I am talking about people who are wheelchair bound and have a distinct, severe disability, be it mental or physical. For example, in the past week I have been contacted by three people, an 18 year old, a...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2013)

Mary Moran: I commend Senator van Turnhout and the hotel in question on the matter of the child beauty pageant last week. Children are a most precious commodity and I thank Senator van Turnhout for raising the issue in the Seanad last week. It once again demonstrated the value of our Upper House-----

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2013)

Mary Moran: -----and how important it is that it should be retained. I welcome yesterday's launch by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, of the public consultation on promoting inclusiveness in primary schools. This consultation process is part of the Minister's action plan in response to the report of the advisory group to the forum on patronage and pluralism, and there is an...

Seanad: Tackling Bullying in Schools: Statements (Resumed) (26 Sep 2013)

Mary Moran: I join in the welcome to the Minister who has been extremely proactive in the field of education and bullying, as has the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. Both Houses have debated on numerous occasions the issue of bullying in all its forms. I wholeheartedly support the guidelines published recently which were long overdue; the last guidelines being published 20 years ago. Nobody...

Seanad: Tackling Bullying in Schools: Statements (Resumed) (26 Sep 2013)

Mary Moran: Those teachers are not gone and that option remains, but it is up to the school to decide on the number of guidance hours. I understand the need for guidance and appreciate the value of the work done by guidance teachers. However, I believe dealing with bullying must be a whole-school approach. That is the reason I believe professional development on this issue for all teachers is...

Seanad: Tackling Bullying in Schools: Statements (Resumed) (26 Sep 2013)

Mary Moran: There were others. I see it as important that this is facilitated. I hope the Minister takes our suggestions on board. I applaud him on the work he has done and will continue to do in this area. He has our support. This is not a political issue, but an issue that affects all of us, across party and across Departments. It involves the Department of Health and the lack of resources...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: Could the Leader bring in the Minister for Justice and Equality to comment on de facto applications? I have recently received representations from citizens looking for de facto applications. A reply to one parliamentary question to the Minister indicated it takes three months. Since June, it now takes six months. The timeframe must be clear. I call on the Minister to attend the House to...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: I have noticed that several Senators were allowed to raise three issues. I beg the Cathaoirleach's indulgence. Several Senators referred to the comments of Sinn Féin Senators. I will extend it further to Government Senators who have come out in favour of abolishing the Seanad and readily agreed that a Senator's job is not worth doing. There will be a lot of relaying of consciences...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: -----to speak my mind and to raise issues about which I feel passionately. To call me or any other Senator worthless or to claim that our jobs are not worthwhile is offensive. It is appalling that, once again, awful cases of child sexual abuse have hit the headlines in today's newspapers. I extend my commiserations to the families involved, including the lady who stood out, waiving her...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: This was admitted in 2009 but has not been taken up. I really think that,-----

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: -----if we are to have a democracy and a House, we need a Government that is answerable. This needs to be answered and the Opposition needs to be taken to task. These questions need to be answered.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: It is very relevant.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: I wish to echo the sentiments voiced this morning by my fellow Senators. This has indeed been an extremely dirty campaign, with false statements and misinformed posters that should have been removed. During my two and a half years in this House, I have witnessed excellent debates with fantastic contributions by many expert people in their field. This stands to the strength of this House,...

Seanad: An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (3 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: I, too, am grateful to have an opportunity to pay tribute to Seamus Heaney, a renowned poet and Nobel laureate. I express sympathy to Seamus Heaney's wife, Marie, children, Mick, Christopher and Catherine Ann, and grandchildren. Seamus Heaney will be remembered as a man of peace. His startling depictions in his poetry of the Troubles in Northern Ireland acted as a catalyst for...

Seanad: Irish Sign Language: Motion (9 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also welcome the members of the deaf community and the Irish Deaf Society for this very worthwhile debate. I commend Senator Martin Conway and his Fine Gael colleagues on bringing forward this very important Private Members' motion. I know Senator Cáit Keane has been working in this area for many years and has brought forward very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: The Role of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (9 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: I thank all the witnesses for their contributions. I totally agree with Ms Lynch's comments on the baseline qualifications. We end up with too many chiefs and not enough Indians. The problem arises from the lack of clarity of the roles of the teachers and the SNAs. Parents are unclear, as has been said, on the role of the SNA. Parents may say their child has an SNA whereas the SNA has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: The Role of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (9 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: On an individualised basis.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection: The Role of Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (9 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: There is a gap with regard to SENOs engaging with parents. I have a huge issue with that. It should be everybody working together.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: I wish to share my time with Senator Moloney.

Seanad: Budget 2014: Statements (15 Oct 2013)

Mary Moran: Yes, equal time. I rebut Senator Reilly who said that today is not a good day for our young people. I beg to differ. As spokesperson for education, I will focus on ten positive points for education we have got out of the budget today. The first one is the biggest criterion people look for in education, namely, the pupil-teacher ratio. That is being preserved. There will be no increase...