Results 541-560 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I have respect for the Senator's opinion, but he must be accurate and fair about these matters. I agree we need to consider what catastrophe our action has prevented. The banking sector could have collapsed. What does that mean for ordinary people? Life, as they know it, would have ceased and they would not have had access to money as previously. It was for that reason it was important...

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——which the Government has shown to banks is shared with the people who face challenges in paying their mortgages. These people have supported the banking sector through their mortgages and they deserve latitude in these times of difficulty.

Seanad: Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: It will be €10 billion.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: It is not often that I find myself in complete agreement with Senator Hanafin, so I will take the opportunity to fully agree with what he said, especially with regard to the Labour Party.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: What happened last week was important, and the House largely stood by the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Unfortunately, the Labour Party did not set aside party politics and that will come back to haunt it. I have no doubt about that.

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I also support the comments that Senator Ó Murchú made earlier today on the Morris tribunal. Oireachtas Members have a privileged position where we get information from people and we are asked to do things about it. I regret the comments that were made about the honourable step taken by former Deputy Jim Higgins and Deputy Howlin. We need to have a debate in both Houses about the status...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It is the consolidation of 40 years of legislation in this area. In his speech the Minister of State stated: Housing is an issue that affects everyone. In these turbulent days we are all too familiar with the issues arising in the housing sector, both in this country and abroad, and we are also aware of the human dimension of the...

Seanad: Money Advice and Budgeting Service: Statements (9 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister to the House and the opportunity to speak about the MABS, because it is one of the sterling services provided by the State. Other speakers have mentioned it is a modest service. Senator Coghlan mentioned how it is very——

Seanad: Money Advice and Budgeting Service: Statements (9 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I beg the Senator's pardon. I knew I had it wrong.

Seanad: Money Advice and Budgeting Service: Statements (9 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: As the Senator mentioned, the organisation operates slightly under the radar. Part of the reason is that, as the Minister mentioned, financial difficulty is something which people often do not want to face to up and something of an embarrassment or a slight source of shame. This is why people get into debt. However, this is one of the reasons the service is so good. Consider the testimony...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I am surprised to hear Senator Bacik give out about means testing because what it does is target resources at those who need them most. The Senator must recognise that resources are limited. I would have thought means testing was something she would advocate. I do not mean to pick on the Senator, but she was most unfair in her comment that as a result of this budget, the burden falls most...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: It is not fair to say it bears most heavily on the poor. It is regrettable that people of limited and fixed means will have to make a contribution, but the Government in its wisdom has decided that everyone must make a contribution, however great or small. I was delighted to see Senator Harris back in the House and listened to him with great interest. I agree with him that part of the...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2009: Statements (15 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Fine Gael proposed even more cutbacks.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I refer to the medical card scheme for over 70s and support the call for clarification, regardless of whether we have a debate today or later. Politics is being played with this issue. Those who are missing out are vulnerable people who need to know the circumstances. The way politics is being played serves only to put fear into older people who are vulnerable. It galls me to listen to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: This was a measure to give vulnerable patients——

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——who need the limited resources of this State and to give it to them directly, and provide medical services to them, not to line the pockets of the doctors. It is a disgrace to listen to Fine Gael on this issue. Means testing is the fairest means by which the limited resources of this country can be applied. It is galling to hear——

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——-Fine Gael and Labour on this issue. Vulnerable people need to be served and any universal measure does not target resources where they should be applied.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Hypocrisy is hard to listen to.

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Oct 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Negotiated by the Fine Gael spokesperson.