Results 681-700 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Ann Ormonde: We could go back further.

Seanad: Substance Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (30 Jan 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Seán Haughey, to the House. I acknowledge the achievements of the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey, in his efforts to minimise the problem of drug abuse. I do not agree with Senator Norris's view on the legalisation of drugs and I sing...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to refer to the appalling attempt made on the life of the President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta, a former winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Ireland gave great support to East Timor during its time of struggle and I have no doubt it will do so again now. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is due to pay a visit to that country to discover the up-to-date position in respect of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: How dare he. This matter is completely out of order.

Seanad: Millennium Development Goal: Motion (13 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I second the motion that Seanad Éireann acknowledges the millennium development goals and that we are committed to reducing the maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015 in developing countries. I also acknowledge the commitment of the Government and its substantial contribution to the new UN population fund agency, and that we will support 75 of the poorest countries to deliver...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the statement made at the weekend by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, indicating its overwhelming support for the Lisbon treaty. The IFA also declared its support for the treaty. Two major organisations, coming from different angles, have urged people to vote yes in the forthcoming referendum. This House should take a leadership role and have a debate on the referendum. We should...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Yesterday, many Senators spoke about the role of the Seanad, the portrayal by the media of it as irrelevant and the slant put on it over the weekend. I also raised the leadership role this Chamber can play in respect of why we should vote "Yes" in the referendum on the EU reform treaty. Over the weekend, two major organisations overwhelmingly came out in support of a "Yes" vote, based on...

Seanad: Forestry Issues: Statements (20 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: That would be lovely.

Seanad: Forestry Issues: Statements (20 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. It is my first opportunity to wish her well in her role. I know very little about forestry. Many years ago the area of forestry was covered by the Department of Lands and Forestry, but it suddenly faded out of the picture and I no longer heard any discussion of this issue. When I heard the Minister of State was to receive this new brief I...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Keaveney did not interrupt Senator Healy Eames.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House and am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I compliment the Minister on coming into this House, listening to many contributors with different points of view and taking on those views. She does not have a closed mind to this subject and I am delighted she is here to listen to this debate. We all recognises the sacrifices parents of...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I did not interrupt the Senator, so Miss Know-All over there should not dare to do so.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I withdraw it but I ask the Senators to be fair.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: It had to be said because the Senator is up and down.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I withdraw the comment.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: We have come a long way as the Minister has fought for €900 million for this area. The Minister indicated that between special needs assistants, resource teachers and so on there is a combined staff of 19,000. In 1998 only 3,000 people worked in this area. Early intervention and diagnosis is the key and this is where the Department of Health and Children comes in. A mother will spot a...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I am speaking from experience so I ask the Senator to allow me continue. The jury is out on this topic and there are no absolutes. I visited schools and spoke to educational and clinical psychologists and each person I met gave me different answers. There is no area of this subject on which one can give a definite statement. I do not know enough about the matter and the Minister has...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: This structure is a step forward. In my teaching role I tried to implement such a system; sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not. At least there is now an appeals system. I ask the Minister to push this matter as much as possible and I know it will be completed by 2010. Pressure must be exerted in this area because we need the appeals system and parent consultation. I am delighted...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: There are no fixed answers and none of us have a monopoly when it comes to wisdom on this subject. We should give the Minister a chance to get on with her work in the area and ask her to return in 12 months to see how things have progressed.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: What has the Opposition done?