Results 661-680 of 4,295 for speaker:Catherine Noone

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Sep 2013)

Catherine Noone: I support Senator van Turnhout on the issue of child pageants. We should follow the lead of the French Senate on this; they are hideous competitions and should not be encouraged. This morning the Irish Cancer Society has highlighted research into the attitude of teenagers towards smoking. There are some interesting findings especially on plain packaging, for which we intend to legislate....

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Sep 2013)

Catherine Noone: With minds starting to focus on the budget, I join Senator Lorraine Higgins in referring to the 9% VAT rate on tourism products. I welcomed this initiative when it was first introduced shortly after my election to the House. A number of businesses were not embracing the initiative by giving the money back to the consumer. The purpose of the reduction was to stimulate the industry and give...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Sep 2013)

Catherine Noone: I support Senator Hayden's comments on the homelessness issue, which could be usefully debated in this House. A new report indicates the number of people on the streets has increased by 88% since last year, which is alarming. One night in September, 85 people were found sleeping rough, which is incredible. There is no question that there is an upsetting and urgent need for accommodation...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Catherine Noone: I was delighted to hear this morning that Ireland has increased its haul of Michelin star restaurants to eight. They are the restaurant at Mount Juliet, the Cliff House Hotel, Thornton's, Chapter One, The Aniar House, Campagne, Bon Appetit and L'Ecrivain. This indicates that our food and restaurant sector is in great health, although many Senators have spoken about the VAT rate this...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Catherine Noone: If the Minister's diary allows it, I would welcome him here today. It might be unrealistic to expect that of the Minister for Finance, so perhaps it could happen next Tuesday. I support Senator Clune's comments on the alcohol action strategy, and I have raised the matter ad nauseam at the risk of becoming a total kill-joy in the alcohol area. The sponsorship issue is holding up matters...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: I wish to distance myself from a statement released by the Fine Gael press office in which a personalised attack was made on two of our colleagues who are extremely effective Senators. I complained about the statement.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: It was a deplorable and retrograde step for my party in its referendum campaign.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: That is not relevant to the amendment.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: Senator Zappone, how stands the amendment?

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: On my way into the House this morning I saw taxi drivers protesting. There is an over-supply of taxis in the city. That goes with a slump in the economy but there is a short-term problem. When there is an improvement in the economy, more taxis will be needed, but in the short term, something needs to be done. There is a huge lack of parking spaces in the city as almost all of the areas...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: I welcome Doris and George Finlay and the group accompanying them to the Gallery. A large group of them has come from Germany to travel around the west coast and are here today for a tour. They have positive feedback about their experience in Ireland, which to be welcomed greatly. We would like to see them return, as well as more people from that country, and we are very happy to see them...

Seanad: An Appreciation of the Life and Work of Seamus Heaney: Statements (3 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: Minister, Marie and other distinguished guests, I am delighted to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the late Seamus Heaney, a worthy Nobel Laureate and undisputedly the most globally renowned of modern Irish poets. Comparisons to Yeats and descriptions of Seamus Heaney as the greatest poet of our age are by no means exaggerated and are richly deserved. I welcome the representatives...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: Over the past few weeks, I said I would welcome the clarity the referendum would bring. I especially welcomed the type of clarity it has brought. In fairness to the Government, including the Taoiseach, it put the matter to the people having said it would do so. I agree with other speakers in that regard. We are here and have a job to do. There will be much discussion about reform over...

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: I might be finished already if I had been allowed to speak in the first place. There is no denying that small and medium-sized towns have taken a full-body hit, especially in the past five years, as other speakers have outlined in detail. Decisive action must be taken, and I hope it will be. I commend the two Senators who have spearheaded this issue, which I have done some work on in recent...

Seanad: Issues Facing Small and Medium Enterprises in Rural Towns: Motion (8 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: I call on Senator Landy to conclude the debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: I attended a breakfast this morning at which the former Attorney General, Peter Sutherland, spoke. He had some very interesting things to say about the Government's progress on the economy, which is somewhat underplayed. He concentrated on our image abroad and had a very interesting perspective on that. While it is not something of which we are unaware in this House, Mr. Sutherland pointed...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: It will be for some people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: The Oireachtas and the European Union: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: It was debatable last week, but the Seanad has remained; it is there.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: The Oireachtas and the European Union: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: I thank the Chairman. I also thank Dr. Barrett for his presentation, which is very timely. Yesterday I met with Claudia and Oliver. I did not know about the structures and I am delighted to hear that I am not misinformed or uninformed and that in fact we do not have a proper structure. I have a question about media attention. I issue press releases on various matters and I know it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: The Oireachtas and the European Union: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Catherine Noone: Through the Chair, I wish to make the point that localism and the avoidance of it was probably one of the reasons the Seanad was established in the first place. The original intention was that it would be a different type of House from the other House, which is the whole point. Deputy Byrne makes the point that it is undemocratic but by doing so he is making the point for me that the Seanad...