Results 701-720 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Do not be too rough.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Alex White, who spoke about the increased consumption of alcohol and what action we can take to address the issue. I have done much thinking on this but I do not know the answer. I do not believe any of us in the House know what action we should take.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I am blue in the face from talking about the increase in alcohol consumption, what we should do, what parents and the community should do and what responsibility those outside this Chamber have. We can introduce all the legislation and do all the monitoring in the world. I regularly address 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds in schools on this serious problem. I welcome the debate but I fear...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator is making a speech.

Seanad: Fairtrade: Statements (4 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his statement on this very fine initiative, Fairtrade. I had no real understanding of what Fairtrade was about. I had an idea that it was something to do with the Third World but I did not know anything beyond that. Now we are in the middle of Fairtrade fortnight and in Leinster House we have switched the bulk of tea and coffee supplies to...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well in his position. This Bill is simple but is necessary because it will put in place new procedures in the administration of passports. I have analysed the Minister of State's speech on this Bill. It is quite detailed and says we have a right to travel so we have a right to apply for a passport. The passport is a badge of our...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Second Stage (5 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: It is a cause for concern but the Minister of State's assurance that there would be no breach beyond the Passport Office is to be welcomed. The Minister of State gave the reasons when passports will be refused, such as, false applications, the position of false passports, use of cancelled passports and so on. I am pleased a unit has been established within the Passport Office with trained...

Seanad: Electoral Commission: Motion (5 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: When is it proposed to sit again?

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I understand why Senator Norris was upset at the change of time. I too was following the agenda as I had read it this morning, but then I was hauled out of the Forum on Europe to come over here. It confuses me when I suddenly have to rush to be here, but I did want to speak on this issue. I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad to discuss this very important issue. We as a party...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with Senator Cummins. We have had many examples of this. It is something that might be dealt with in the regulations, although not necessarily under this section. It is only right that people should be facilitated in the context of internal travel arrangements.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: When I read the Bill, I did not like the use of the term "contrary to the common good" because I thought it had broad connotations. It is too broad for my liking. I would like to hear the Minister of State's views and comments on the matter.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I accept the Minister of State's reply on the basis that we are protecting against circumstances which may arise in the future. I would not consider a discussion on autism or otherwise, which should take place in the national parliament, as a reason to refuse a passport. It would be a more serious issue. I do not like the phrase "common good" but I understand why it is included in the Bill.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I brought this up on Second Stage and I find it quite confusing as regards how the whole system works with regard to the permission of parents and guardians, the consent of the father if his name is on the birth certificate, etc. While I accept that it is outside the remit of this Bill, nevertheless, the fact that it has come up for discussion here indicates that the public needs to have...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome this discussion and the points raised by Senator Quinn. Now that the Leader is present, I suggest that we debate the Schengen common travel area in the House. I will probably suggest this on the Order of Business tomorrow. A debate would allow us all to tease out, in the presence of the relevant Minister, all the points raised by Senator Quinn. The Senator referred to the need...

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I withdraw the word but I know where the Senator is coming from. It is worthy of a debate where all the Members can get involved with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt, to tease out the points raised. We have spoken about this on many occasions.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I will raise it at another time.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I accept it is outside the remit of this Bill.

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with many of the points raised by Senator White. His comments made me ask myself if I would use a diplomatic passport if going on holidays. I would not. What use would it be to me or why would I want to use it?

Seanad: Passports Bill 2007: Committee Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Ann Ormonde: My passport stands as it is. I would not need to use a diplomatic passport. Will the Minister of State explain the role of a diplomatic passport? It does not get one through the airport any faster or allow one jump the queue. It is fine to use one if we are acting in our capacity as officials or Oireachtas Members and are on official business, but why would we want to use one if we were...