Results 661-680 of 4,931 for speaker:Mary White

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I support the contributions of other speakers, in particular the point made by Senator Kett that the Minister should immediately make arrangements to raise the upper age limit concerning a handicapped child to 18. The Bill as it stands is thoughtless in this regard. The Senator noted that the hormonal changes in young people aged 16 to 18 are critical. This change would be important for...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I am going to fight it.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary White: We all agree.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Mary White: Senator Dooley.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Mary White: Will the Leader arrange a debate next week on the proposed relocation of the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum to a site close to the new prison? The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, said at a public meeting in the area that no consultation on the location of the prison had taken place before the decision was made. Yesterday, I met Mr. Michael Ringrose, chief executive of People with...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Mary White: It will have a psychological effect.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, line 8, to delete "16 years" and substitute "18 years". Senator Kett drew this matter to my attention. The Senator has worked in the Central Remedial Clinic for 20 years dealing with handicapped children. I have visited the organisation and it does tremendous work for disabled children. I respect Senator Kett's opinion on this issue and if the Minister...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Mary White: This is a very interesting discussion and we are in the Seanad to raise these issues and develop policies on them. If we cannot achieve it today, we will try to get the ball over the line in the future. I totally support what Senator O'Toole said, but the reason we have such improved productivity is that we did not have the traditional industries that existed in France and Germany. We have...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I spoke to parents at a child care centre this morning. One woman made the fascinating point which I had not thought of that it is in men's DNA to think it is women's responsibility to mind children. I looked at her and knew it was a profound statement. She was right. While things are changing and men are taking more responsibility, they are all born thinking that way.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I will not. I am a total Fianna Fáil person and will fully support the Minister of State. I am speaking to ensure we make progress in future. Senator O'Toole has distracted me.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Mary White: As Senator Tuffy said, we have made significant progress. I have said here many times that I had to give up my job in the Civil Service when I married. I understand what discrimination is about. My boss at the Board of Works tried to keep me on but was not permitted to do so. It was an EU directive which ensured women could continue to work after they married. People in Ireland who have not...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Mary White: It is wishful thinking.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: It happens to everybody.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I welcome the Minister of State and compliment him for batting out on the issue of child care on "Prime Time" last Thursday. As previous speakers and the ladies in the Gallery know, child care is the most important issue facing thousands of parents in all income groups with babies and young children, as well as those couples hoping to have children. The availability of quality and reliable...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: No politician will do away with that allowance but the way of dealing with child care and contributing towards it financially, is not through child benefit, which is a farce. Last week the House had a very good discussion on parental leave. Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe where the State does not make a financial contribution for parental leave. It was discovered that more women...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: No. Tax reliefs are utilised by Government for economic measures such as urban, rural and hotel developments. When there is an economic or social crisis the Government decides to use tax benefit to develop and grow areas where the need is greatest. Tax reliefs are commonly used fiscal instruments. The Celtic tigresses are now deciding they cannot have a second child because if they do they...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: No. There were 12 people in my leaving certificate class. People could only go to school when Donagh O'Malley provided free secondary education. We must have vision in regard to how we look after children. We must have a strategic child-centred policy. We do not want anybody to be excluded. I have visited crèches in recent weeks and witnessed the high degree of intellectual stimulation...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: I believe in them. I have to win this debate. I urge the Government to change its mindset and introduce tax reliefs for child care and pre-school education. Everybody should be included. The approach taken must be child-centred. No child must be excluded. Children from low income families should not be excluded from all the exciting and stimulating programmes that exist for children. We now...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Mary White: Hear, hear.