Results 561-580 of 873 for speaker:Averil Power

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I also support the remarks made by Senators Quinn, Barrett and Craughwell about their concerns about this Bill. Indeed I made such remarks myself on Committee Stage. It is clear to everybody here in this House that this is a Bill for the Royal College of Surgeons and it should say that. We should be up-front about what this Bill is actually designed to achieve. It is called the Education...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I support Senator Quinn's comment about not amending the Bill here. I understand the Minister has explained that it was not ready in time in the Department, but I genuinely do not understand why we have the Bill back if the amendments are not ready. Perhaps the Minister could elaborate on why there is a rush to get this legislation through. To be fair, there is a lot of education expertise...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: The issue is that the language in section 7(4) is broad in that it refers to information in relation to: (i) recognised schools in respect of the academic achievement of students, or (ii) education or training facilities in respect of the academic achievement of learners..."Education or training facilities" is extremely broad and covers everything that happens within a school environment. I...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I second the amendment. It is important that there be greater transparency in the area of voluntary contributions. Parents face great difficulties on this and many are not in favour of them - they are classed as voluntary but many parents feel they have no choice. This was highlighted previously in the education committee when we discussed the issue. Some schools have a system where a...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: What of the minor works grant?

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Report Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: This is an important issue as there are always difficulties when people fall through gaps in a student grant scheme. I appreciate that there must be generalised rules that are fair to everyone and set criteria but there are always problems relating to people who, for good reason, cannot live at home. Some people leave home because of serious issues there. When I was student union president...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: On a point of order, will Senators have an opportunity to speak on Fifth Stage?

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I take this opportunity to reiterate, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, why we are opposing this Bill. As I pointed out in the course of the debate, 90% of the Bill relates to the putting in place of an extraordinary new procedure for the benefit of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, whereby that institution, which is not entitled to call...

Seanad: Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Fifth Stage (12 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: We are not being disruptive for its own sake, but we have made the point. I know there has not been agreement with the rest-----

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: We have a point of order.

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I thank Senator Barrett for giving me some of his time. Like Senator O'Brien, I was horrified when I got an e-mail late last night from one of the pension groups concerned saying that the Minister had signed the commencement order. We had heard last week that this issue was being examined again, that the deferred pensioners had met with the Tánaiste and positive noises had been made...

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I said that. We both said that.

Seanad: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme: Statements (18 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: The Minister agreed to the 60%.

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: Earlier this year I spoke about what it was like growing up as an adopted child and not knowing anything about my natural mother until I was 29 years of age. Since then, I have been overwhelmed with e-mails and letters from other adoptees sharing their experiences. Some of their personal circumstances are very different to mine. However, their pain, sadness and anxiety are all too...

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: One of them turned out right.

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I wholeheartedly thank Senators Burke and Moloney who were the main Government spokespersons on this issue. I know they researched and thought through the Bill before deciding to support it. I also note that in their opening remarks they said this Bill should be allowed to move forward and be amended if necessary on Committee Stage. I appreciate that they said we should all work to help...

Seanad: Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill 2014: Second Stage (19 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: There is no need to do that. We have cross-party support across the House. I know there are Members in the Government parties who feel strongly about this as well and want to progress it as much as I do. I would be happy to have input from the Minister if he has amendments to suggest on Committee Stage, or if the health committee, interest groups or anyone else wants to feed into that. My...

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: Given that time is limited and each Senator only has five minutes, I wish to state that I share the Minister's concerns about ISIS and Ukraine but I will focus my remarks on Palestine, particularly the motion passed by this House just over a month ago calling on the Government to recognise the state of Palestine. I thank the Minister for attending the House today. The Leader gave a...

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: One question concerns when the Minister will listen to the motion from this House and recognise Palestine. In his article, the Minister alluded to the need for the EU to take action.

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Averil Power: I ask him to outline in his closing remarks what action he had in mind in the article.