Results 641-660 of 7,359 for speaker:Katherine Zappone

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Katherine Zappone: While there are several responses I could give to Senator Mullen's various comments, I will leave some of those remarks to when we meet outside the Chamber on the campaign trail. The Senator referred to Articles 42 and 44 of the Constitution. Article 42 states that, "The State acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the Family" and that parents have the right to...

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I listened to Senator Mullen's arguments, which move beyond his amendment. The Senator's proposal makes reference to Articles 42 and 44 of the Constitution, which relate to freedom of conscience and whether it is adequately protected in legislation on equality and non-discrimination. The Minister has responded to this point several times, and while her answer may not be what Senators wish...

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Katherine Zappone: That is what I have been arguing - to be free to go my own way.

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Katherine Zappone: Am I free to marry the person I choose to love?

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Katherine Zappone: The Senator did say it sooner.

Seanad: An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Comhionannas Pósta) 2015: Céim an Choiste - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (27 Mar 2015)

Katherine Zappone: It is good that the issue of the Title of the Bill has been raised. I am happy to speak on it and have listened to all of my colleagues' contributions. Before I discuss the substantive issues and without taking long, it detracts from any strength that Senator Mullen's argument might have to speak about the "ruthlessness" of people in power or the Government's "arrogance" or "emotional...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Undocumented Migrants: Immigration Control Platform (1 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: In agreement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Undocumented Migrants: Immigration Control Platform (1 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I really only have one. Does either of the witnesses believe there could be any reason, be it humanitarian, ethical or other, for the Irish State to regularise even one undocumented migrant? Many migrants have come to Ireland as a result of human trafficking or have become involved in prostitution and sexual violence, and we have had a lot of discussion on that. Are the witnesses saying...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Undocumented Migrants: Immigration Control Platform (1 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I disagree with Ms Ní Chonaill's opinion. I am greatly disturbed by what she had to say in response to my idea on human trafficking. It seems Ms Ní Chonaill objects above all to the numbers of people who might possibly move through a regularisation process rather than the idea that some undocumented migrants, in some circumstances, would be allowed to remain.

Seanad: One-Parent Family Supports: Motion (15 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I move: That Seanad Éireann: - notes that 1 in 4 families with children in Ireland is a one-parent family, that over half a million people live in one-parent families (Census 2011) and that over 30 per cent of the Irish population experienced two or more types of enforced deprivation, compared to 63.2 per cent of those in lone parent households (SILC 2013); - further notes that Budget...

Seanad: One-Parent Family Supports: Motion (15 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: This has been a very good debate. I thank the Tánaiste for her passionate and systematic outline of what she is doing and why she is doing it. I am also grateful to the Senators who spoke during the debate. We have demonstrated our common passion and respect for single parents. It is great to hear that coming from the Seanad. We accept that the reforms initiated by the Government...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: It sounds like a great place to visit. I have a question for the Leader that relates to the affordability issues in the housing market. As colleagues are aware, rents are rising in Dublin and other major cities faster than people's incomes. Over the past months we have seen how this is putting pressure on tenants and the knock-on effect of this includes a rise in homelessness. We are...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Apr 2015)

Katherine Zappone: As we heard today, the economy is continuing to recover at a faster rate than was previously forecast. I welcome that and I also welcome the 50:50 split between reduction of taxes and increase of public services. Many of us called for that, not least the Labour Party. That is good news. However, we must ask whether, now that we are reaching the point where we can start spending on public...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I also welcome Dr. Manning, Mr. O’Toole and Mr. Magner and congratulate them. Their report reflects a radical change as they had hoped. It is impressive and it is on time. When they speak about implementation, in some ways, we could say that we are debating the heads of the Bill if the Bill is already drafted. I heartily welcome this report and agree with its substance. When I was...

Seanad: Early Child Care: Statements (13 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and his officials to the House to debate this important aspect of social and economic policy. The Minister's statement laid out very comprehensively what is being done in this area and the rationale behind it. I am aware of the research and expert views that underlie these policy considerations, and it is great to have this overview. I am delighted...

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Joint Sub-Committee on Human Rights relative to Justice and Equality Matters: Business of Committee (14 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I nominate Deputy Ferris.

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Joint Sub-Committee on Human Rights relative to Justice and Equality Matters: Ratification of UN Conventions: Dr. Eilionóir Flynn, National University of Ireland, Galway (14 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: Will the committee agree that Dr. Flynn may speak for ten minutes, as she is our first expert on this issue?

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Joint Sub-Committee on Human Rights relative to Justice and Equality Matters: Ratification of UN Conventions: Dr. Eilionóir Flynn, National University of Ireland, Galway (14 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: Could I be brought up to speed? What is the issue?

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Joint Sub-Committee on Human Rights relative to Justice and Equality Matters: Ratification of UN Conventions: Dr. Eilionóir Flynn, National University of Ireland, Galway (14 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: I thank Dr. Flynn for her submission and for travelling to present it to us. As Senator Bacik said, it represents such a comprehensive beginning to help us with our initial investigation of this issue. I have a number of questions. We had an intuition that what we are doing is an important step at this time, but it now seems very timely to consider the process of ratification in general....

Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Joint Sub-Committee on Human Rights relative to Justice and Equality Matters: Ratification of UN Conventions: Dr. Eilionóir Flynn, National University of Ireland, Galway (14 May 2015)

Katherine Zappone: -----as distinct from other optional protocols or treaties? I refer to one or two that are currently in force in addition to those that might be in force in the future. When Senator Bacik asked about what we should now do, I was wondering whether it was about the process of the ratification of the treaty for people with disabilities or, more generally-----