Results 41-60 of 228 for speaker:Déirdre de Búrca

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I was going to suggest I share my time with Senator Healy Eames.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: There is no such thing as a perfect budget but I suggest the budget announced by the Minister for Finance today was well balanced in the context of the straightened financial circumstances in which the country finds itself. The Minister's actions, in co-operation with the parties in Government, have meant the circumstances in which we find ourselves were turned into economic opportunities,...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2008: Statements (Resumed). (5 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the €12.5 million being given to fund the implementation of the recommendations of the national drugs strategy rehabilitation board. This will allow for the development and strengthening of the local drugs task forces and roll services out to the new commuter belt towns. We can see cases in the media where many young people are facing extremely adverse health conditions because...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I wish to respond to some comments made by Members on the other side of the House on yesterday's Budget Statement. Most reasonable people will accept that in the difficult economic circumstances in which we find ourselves, the social welfare provisions were satisfactory. Senator Alex White's comment was dismissive about the green crusade.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: What is at the heart of the Green agenda is social justice.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: It will be the poor in society who will suffer most if the Green agenda is not implemented. That is why the Green Party is in Government. There is a sense of urgency——

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I would like the Fine Gael and Labour parties to remember that. It is not enough to pay lip-service to the Green agenda. It is about getting into Government and implementing it.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with responsibility for housing, urban renewal and developing areas, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to address the House on sheltered housing for older persons. The National Council on Ageing and Older Persons is holding a conference today in Croke Park. It recently published a...

Seanad: Merits of Farmers' Markets: Statements (6 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, to the House and I thank him for his presentation. I recognise the role played by the Minister of State in promoting the concept of farmers' markets around the country. His arrival into the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is very timely because there is a public appetite for the emergence and development of a much greater number...

Seanad: European Union Reform Treaty: Statements (12 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, to the House. I am grateful for an opportunity to comment on the reform or Lisbon treaty — I have not yet decided which title I will use. The signing of the treaty tomorrow will put an end to approximately two years of what was described as a period of reflection but which was, in truth, a period of great uncertainty or, as some described it,...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: A great deal of debate is taking place at present regarding the European reform treaty. I welcome the coverage in the media today which suggests that the Government is willing to back Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament, as the chair of a group to which President Nicolas Sarkozy referred as a council of wise men on the future of Europe. However, I ask the Leader to convey a...

Seanad: Integration Policy: Statements (Resumed) (13 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I welcome the opportunity to discuss integration policy. This issue is very important for this country because of the speed and extent of the demographic changes in the past ten to 20 years. It is difficult to believe the extent of immigration in this country. It is estimated that up to 14% of the Irish population is made up of immigrants and non-nationals. It poses a significant...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: It is difficult sometimes being on this side of the House and having to listen to comments from the opposite side. It appears to me that to be in Opposition——

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: ——one must be in a state of perpetual complaint.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: Yesterday, the members of the Opposition were saying the issue of the water charges in schools had to be dealt with and that a more lenient approach had to be adopted towards them. There is a lack of clarity and certainty about the exemptions that are allowed under the EU water framework directive.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: The EU Commission was not clear in terms of the direction it gave to the Government. The Government has come up with the best possible arrangement it can put in place for the time being.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: I am sure most schools this morning are relieved that these transitional arrangements have been put in place.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: The Opposition is at least capable of acknowledging when positive steps are taken by the Government to try to address serious issues of concern.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: On the community childcare subvention scheme, I ask the Leader to convey the support of certain parts of this House to the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, who listened to many of the concerns that came directly from the community child care providers on the subvention scheme. The tiered system that has been introduced is much more satisfactory. It will mean that low income parents...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Déirdre de Búrca: ——or social welfare. That is a welcome move and a quick response by the Minister. I ask the Leader of the House to convey the support of certain parts of the House to the Minister.