Results 7,181-7,200 of 15,268 for speaker:Kathleen Lynch

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: That is what it looks like.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I am sensitive as the next person; I am no different or no better. I am sorry to see that Senator Marc MacSharry has left the Chamber. Senator David Norris will support Sinn Féin's amendment. I thought the Senator would support an amendment that was truthful or correct. The amendment reads: "condemns the savage cuts to supports to people with disabilities by the Government, including...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: There are not.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I have no problem with people voting against the motion or supporting an amendment, but they should know what they are voting for.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: There are days when we cannot get into the lift to go to the sixth floor in LH 2000 because of the number of Sinn Féin advisers and staffers. With so many people, we would think they would get it right. I commend Senator Mary Moran because this is about promoting the Special Olympics more than anything else.. This is not about the Governmen; it is about the Special Olympics. I do not...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: People who participated in the Special Olympics when they were held in Ireland participated to the best of their ability and astonished us with their courage and tenacity. I remember the moment to which Senator David Norris referred and it made us all cringe with shame that we would not have turned back to pick up our comrades. Perhaps we would have, but I do not think so. I must admit I...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: We believe it is the last barrier to ratifying the convention. I hope, after it is passed, that we will be in a position to ratify it. I am sure people tell us about other items of legislation needed. I am grateful for the opportunity to address the House and thank the Senators for proposing the motion. it is a special day for Special Olympics Ireland. Since it was set up in 1978, the...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: Thank you. I keep asking myself why I am in the Chamber taking this debate. This is a motion about Special Olympics Ireland, a sports organisation. Why then am I, as Minister of State at the Department of Health, answering the debate? The answer, of course, is that we still have a mindset in this country that, somehow or other, people with disabilities can only be dealt with by the...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I am saying this now in order that the message goes out loud and clear that people with disabilities do not live in a box.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: In fact, they live across a range of aspects in exactly the same way the rest of us do.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: In parts of that living they will require support.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: That is what we should be about. In future, when a motion is tabled in this House about sport, it should be the Minister at the relevant Department who takes it. Likewise, when a motion relates to transport for people with disabilities, the relevant Minister should respond. Let us make this a reality. All of the issues to which I have referred in terms of implementation plans, capacity...

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: There has been no cut there.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: The mobility allowance has not been withdrawn. I would like to clarify something. As long as something is said, it sounds as if it is the truth.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: No it will not be withdrawn in four months' time. I think this outrageous behaviour of terrifying very vulnerable people is absolutely disgraceful. The mobility allowance has not been withdrawn and there is no indication that it will be withdrawn in four months. People out there are worried enough without the Senator adding to it.

Seanad: Special Olympics Ireland: Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: The Senator can quote what he likes, but he should try to do it accurately.

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Recruitment (18 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, who is attending a Justice and Home Affairs ministerial meeting in Vilnius today. The House will be aware that the Minister announced on Monday that he had received sanction from his colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, to...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Recruitment (18 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: That the number of new gardaí to be recruited will depend on staffing issues, including retirements, is to our advantage. It means we are not confined to a particular number. On the previous panel, this type of detail must be left to the Commissioner, who is more aware of the dedication required of a person in order to become a garda.

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Recruitment (18 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I will inform the Minister of the Deputy's concerns.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (18 Jul 2013)

Kathleen Lynch: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is not the subject of many pub conversations. The number of people affected by inflammatory bowel disease is significant and I welcome the opportunity to address the issue. Currently, children with inflammatory bowel disease are cared for at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. The condition is diagnosed by colonoscopy and children are...