Results 41-60 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and presenting in a clear way the core reasons why the Government will not accept the Bill. I am reminded of a statement made by the former Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, who said that the business of Government should be done as if it were behind a pane of glass. I hope I am attributing it correctly.

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: Okay. It is fair to say that the aspiration was a fine one and that Senator Crown, in bringing forward the Bill, will have had that in mind, as I and all the Members of the Government do. If it were at all possible to have a pane of glass we would do so. Senator Thomas Byrne said that the Government is not behaving in a new fashion and that we do not understand the concept behind the Bill....

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I beg your pardon.

Seanad: Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: The registration of lobbyists Bill will be introduced. All Members on this side of the House will push for that but I do not believe we will need to push it hard as it will come forward. The essence of the Bill is to continue to support free and open access to Government but to it in a way which is properly scrutinised and where there is accountability. The essence of Senator Crown's Bill...

Seanad: An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: The Senator was not here-----

Seanad: Company Closures: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister for being here. Let us face it, the way in which workers are treated nowadays is increasingly shabby, which, I think, was the word used by Senator Cullinane. When I turned on the television last night, I saw British Aerospace workers who had learned about the pending redundancies in the media. We have heard this story over and over again. That is the concern, that in...

Seanad: Company Closures: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I am sorry. We have seen with TalkTalk how workers can-----

Seanad: Company Closures: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: There is no doubt it is an employers' market and that workers' rights are in danger of being reduced. Senator White can shake her head but that is not the experience I have had or that of my colleague who spoke of people seeking their rights through redundancy taking months -----

Seanad: Company Closures: Motion (Resumed) (28 Sep 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: If we are discussing Ireland as being an attractive place to work and encourage inward investment, then we must ensure also that the protection of rights for workers is of paramount importance as well as the other attractions that can be offered. It is fair to point out as much. I am somewhat heartened by the Minister's letter today giving an update on the MBNA workers. While it will...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I see a fine example of the new kind of politics from the other side.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I am tired of listening to the promises of new politics when all we get are the same old shouting matches.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I had the pleasure last night in Sligo of listening to young people who are on the cusp of leaving school, at a public speaking competition I organised. Some of them described the concept of sitting for ten hours a day every day cramming in order to secure a third level place. They also raised the prospect of studying philosophy in primary school. Above all, what these young people - Katie...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: Further to Senator Jillian van Turnhout's comments on the Referendum Commission and the lateness of the campaign on the forthcoming referendums, I express my concern about the advertisement which sets out a long explanation for the referendums followed by something about two ice creams with syrup on one and sprinkles on the other. While I have a sense of humour, this is not in order in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I have asked the question. I ask that these questions be put to the Ministers. I also ask that the Ministers co-operate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs to release any details his Department has which relate to the requests for passports made by nuns in mother and baby homes for the sale of babies and children to the United States between the 1940s and the 1970s. I also ask the...

Seanad: Investment in Science, Technology and Innovation: Statements (11 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: There is much to be encouraged by in the Minister of State's comments. When I meet somebody who has a great idea, who has won awards and has a large company to back him but is nevertheless on his knees looking for money, I wonder what is going on. Will the Minister of State give us some insight on why it seems that the only real access to finance seems to be through venture capital funds,...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: There is €70 million outstanding to Irish farmers for payments under the various schemes such as disadvantaged area scheme, AEOS and REPS. That is not just money sitting there; it is the livelihood of thousands of people. I would like the Leader to seek an assurance from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that all these payments will be cleared by his deadline of November....

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I support Senator Ivana Bacik and others in calling for a debate on the Keane report. The Government has made it clear that this is a work in progress. It expects various people to make suggestions on how the report and its findings may be improved and is keen to hear from them. Perhaps the excitable Members on the Opposition benches might direct some of their energy towards making...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: I would like-----

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: For very good reasons.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2011)

Susan O'Keeffe: Please, let us not-----