Results 501-520 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Disabilities Bill: Motion. (28 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: That is not to say that this and previous Administrations have not spent money in this area — I acknowledge that has happened — but not enough has been spent. For example, last week and this week I have been dealing with a situation after a parent telephoned me to say she had been told by a residential school in my area, which her 21 year old son was attending, that he would have to leave...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Clarification on how the House would deal with impeachment would be welcomed by all parties. Although we are only in the realm of speculation at this stage, such clarification would be useful to all parties. I agree with Senator Finucane's comments on the planning issue, which has been dealt with recently by the media. There is a perception among people that only big, well-connected...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Does it concern me by any chance?

Seanad: Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (29 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I, too, welcome the Minister of State and echo Senator Terry's sentiments that the amendments are clearly designed to give greater certainty to the purpose of the Bill, which is obviously necessary. I echo the sentiments of Senator Terry on the need for the tribunal to complete its work, but obviously that is not in our hands. We have given the members of the tribunal the latitude that is...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements. (29 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I agree with the remarks of Senator Ó Murchú on Iraq and the need for a debate. When the breakdown of law and order became obvious two weeks ago, all sides of the House agreed a debate was necessary. I ask the Leader to arrange such a debate. As Senator Ó Murchú has said what is happening in Iraq will reverberate around the world and there is no question but that it will have an impact...

Seanad: Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (30 Apr 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I hope the tallypersons have a long future ahead of them. They have done nothing that needs to be forgiven, as they always did an excellent job and gave us wonderful information. I am glad Senator Mansergh welcomed the decision on electronic voting and the Government's acceptance of the decision is also welcome. I hope time will now be given to consider electronic voting fully and to ask...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I totally accept the principle of the Cathaoirleach's comments with regarding the process of impeachment. However, we are in unmapped territory. Where is the map to come from? Who is to advise us on it? We will probably need independent legal advice from a constitutional lawyer. I listened to the country's most eminent constitutional expert on radio this morning. Nobody can be in any doubt...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: The last remark by Senator Jim Walsh is a good place from which to start. He mentioned, as did many speakers, the Good Friday Agreement. There was a great sense of hope and optimism when it was signed. The extent to which it was supported, particularly in this part of the country, was an indication of how much the wider community felt on the issue. People want to move on from an era of...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I will not enter that debate with the Minister. I would be more lenient than he on the media.

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Not necessarily. Does Sinn Féin uphold the Constitution? The Minister referred to a destructive ambiguity. The spokespersons for Sinn Féin utter the greatest ambiguity of all and abuse the English language in an attempt to go down two sides of the road at the same time. When will we be honest enough to say that we have come out of a history of paramilitarism, that there are parties with...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Minister should not give them too much ammunition on that front. Let us have an honest, open and upfront debate. I am glad to hear the Minister say that ambiguity now is destructive. The ambiguity of the past was not always constructive. I am an optimist and believe it is good to have Sinn Féin involved in the democratic process, standing for election like everyone else in the...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement: Motion. (19 May 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Maybe the Taoiseach has received his answer and perhaps it is the one he wanted and the message he wanted was sent. We will probably never know. It would be a trade-off too far and would be unacceptable and the Minister has made it clear that it is not going to happen.

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: To pick up on the point made by Senator Mansergh, I too welcome a progress report as one of our concerns is how the decentralisation programme is progressing. I totally favour the principle of decentralisation which offers major benefits to towns. The Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Agriculture and Food have located in Nenagh and one can see the clear benefits to the local economy...

Seanad: Decentralisation Programme: Motion. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I was about to make that point. An improved train service would help. A proper worked out programme of decentralisation could be excellent for the economic life of towns round the country. When one looks at the reality of this programme, it does not appear to line up with that, unfortunately. The decentralisation programme that was so unexpectedly announced at the last budget, has taken...

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister of State for taking this important matter, the proposal, as reported in recent times, by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and by the Government — it also involves the Minister for Transport — to transfer the most significant part of the assets of Shannon Development to a new Shannon Airport authority to rid it of its debt of €5 million...

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Will legislation be required for the transfer of the assets?

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: Would legislation be needed, in theory, to make that happen?

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: What about the transfer of the assets?

Seanad: Shannon Development. (2 Jun 2004)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister of State.