Results 581-600 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I concur with what Senator White said. We need a debate about the public service and about the specifics. I do not necessarily agree with him that more means better. What we must prove is that one can have a better service with fewer numbers. We should be able to get that. Nor do I agree with Senator White that the House has had umpteen calls for an economics debate. There have been...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Ministers in the Department of Finance——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——have been in here time and again.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Let us look back at the agenda——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I do not mean to personalise this and I withdraw what I said if it caused offence. Senator White said he has been present and therefore he will know how many Ministers for Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment have been in the House to take——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I withdraw the remark if I caused offence.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: The point I wished to raise——

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Today marks the beginning of 16 days of focus on violence against women, which are intended to highlight what happens internationally. An Irish plan was launched today on work towards the elimination of female genital mutilation. A good conference took place this morning on dealing with this issue. It is important that we discuss, particularly in the Houses of the Oireachtas, the issue of...

Seanad: Female Genital Mutilation (26 Nov 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me raise this issue. Yesterday, I chaired a conference on the issue of female genital mutilation, FGM, at which Ireland, in conjunction with 15 other European countries, launched a national plan. It is significant this was launched on a European-wide basis. The national plan has three specific goals, namely, to prevent the practice of FGM in Ireland,...

Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Listening to Senator Quinn, as a cross-Border product myself, with a mother from Omagh and a father from Limerick, I agree that as a united Ireland we should not recognise trading on one side or other of the Border as being unpatriotic. I recognise the challenges it brings to people trying to conduct business in the Border area where price sensitivity will make commercial transactions...

Seanad: Shoppers Task Force: Motion (3 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: It is an independent republic.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: That is true.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor. Before he leaves the House, I wish to acknowledge the constructive approach adopted by Senator O'Toole in respect of his contributions. I find that refreshing. His comment with regard to those over 80 was particularly constructive. I am slightly envious of the fact that the Senator, as an Independent, is not in danger of ever putting himself...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I am sure he is; are we not all? He has that luxury to an extent and it is not one other political parties have. Regardless of what side of the House one is on, when one enters politics, one ultimately must be constructive. What good is a politician if he or she constantly knocks proposals and never offers any hope or perspective that one understands the issues facing the country? I find...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: If I may make this point before the Senator criticises me, what is needed in politics is consistency and after that follows credibility If one is not consistent, one will never have credibility.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Fine Gael is desperately lacking on this issue. Consistently it has remained inconsistent. Senator Feeney alluded to remarks made by the Fine Gael Dáil spokesperson on health. When he was paid by IMO he was doing a deal for it, but now he is in politics he has to change his tune. It is an acute embarrassment for the party. I saw the Members on the other side of the House squirming with...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——how Deputy Reilly had conducted himself——

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——in a prior appointment.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I would be very grateful if the Leas-Chathaoirleach would ensure I am not interrupted.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Planning and responsibility are other qualities a political party need to have. I do not believe any Member on either side of this House welcomes the idea that an entitlement of the over 70s is to be withdrawn. Naturally, it would be preferable, and certainly politically, much easier if we did not have to take tough decisions, but that is what politics and governance is about. That is why...