Results 801-820 of 1,301 for speaker:Pauline O'Reilly

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Prices: Discussion (4 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: Is it appropriate that the companies would all have that ability to set standing charges when they have such a deep impact throughout society? Is there a better way to regulate the market?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Prices: Discussion (4 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: Another point that has been raised by several colleagues during this meeting relates to the fact the companies are handing over much of the responsibility for people who are in financial difficulty at a vulnerable stage to advocate for themselves and to find out that information. We are seeing more and more that it is the most vulnerable who find it most difficult to access information on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Energy Prices: Discussion (4 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. It is safe to say that this area is quite complex. For customers, it is quite complex. We had several sessions and we have an understanding of who has responsibility for which area. Even if one is to look at the climate action framework, several agencies are involved in a lot of those particular areas. One of those is smart metering....

Seanad: Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I am delighted with the opportunity to speak on this important issue. My colleagues in the Dáil introduced amendments and I am hopeful that the Minister will accept amendments in the Seanad as well on some of the issues raised. As he outlined, this is important legislation that goes much further than ever before, but there is always room for improvement. I will speak first about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank all of our guests for coming in. In regard to IBEC, it is unfortunate we have to spend so much of the committee meeting speaking about some of the comments and the news reports, but it is important and that is what we are here for. I would agree with Deputy McAuliffe, although I do not want to put words in his mouth, that there is a lot that is problematic, not just in the comments...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: Yes. I do not want-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: There is a delay on the line and I do not want to interrupt but we have limited time. With respect, this is not Dr. McGann's expertise. We need to hear what employers are doing. I am delighted Dr. McGann is saying she is supportive but it is not 100% clear from the IBEC opening statement that it is supportive of any of the measures because it always comes with an addendum like "but this is...

Seanad: Breastfeeding: Motion (12 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I move: That Seanad Éireann: recognises that: - according to the Irish Maternity Indicator Report 2021, Ireland’s breastfeeding rates are among the lowest in the world. Only 62.3% of babies are breastfed at birth compared to 90% in Australia, 81% in the UK and 79% in the USA, with only 37% of babies discharged from hospital being breastfed exclusively. By the time babies...

Seanad: Breastfeeding: Motion (12 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank all of our guests in the Visitors Gallery. I will list the organisations because it is important to show the breadth of the voluntary organisations that do such amazing work when it comes to supporting women and breastfeeding. We have Friends of Breastfeeding Ireland, Baby Feeding Law Group Ireland, Bainne Beatha, Cuidiú, the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: This area of flexible working is one where I am excited to see some of the measures. For too long we have been chasing the idea that men and women can be doing caring work equally, but that is not a reality. There are times in women's lives when they will be doing more caring than men, and they should have the opportunity to choose to do that and not be disadvantaged based on that choice....

Seanad: Breastfeeding: Motion (12 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Senators and the Minister of State for engaging on this important topic. It is true that much work has been done but we are not seeing the cultural shift. That is just a reality. The numbers reflect an increase but include those who are doing both breastfeeding and using formula milk. It is important to point out that the rates do not refer to breastfeeding exclusively. It is...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: First, I highlight World Menopause Day, which Senator Chambers has already mentioned. In May 2021 in the convention centre, I raised the issue of the menopause. I felt a little bit nervous doing so. We speak about all sorts of other issues, but we had not really spoken about the menopause. I received a bit of a backlash following that, because certain members of the medical profession...

Seanad: Summer Programme: Statements (18 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State very much for coming in today. I very much welcome the announcement yesterday from both her and the Minister, Deputy Foley, on the €40 million funding and the review of the programme. Many children with whom we speak are excited about summer provision. It is a key part of their year. We have two sets of people, namely, the students and the teachers....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Chair and welcome the Taoiseach to the committee today. I would like to start off by talking about the revelations within the Citizens' Assembly. It was a unique time because it was during the pandemic. Much of the work took place online. We have heard from some of those who were involved in it and that gave a good footing for this committee. Something that surprised many...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: It was a very interesting contribution. I thank the Taoiseach.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: It is lovely to see all of our guests again. I was listening remotely to the contributions and I thank everyone for them. It can often be difficult when everyone is online but at the same time, there are lots of advantages to that as well, particularly when it comes to women in politics. Our guests hit the nail on the head when they said that we need to have more flexible arrangements but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I would have liked to have seen six-seat constituencies written into the Electoral Act in order that we could examine whether we could have six-seat constituencies. What is Dr. Buckley's view on that? It would remove the scenario where there may be two three-seat constituencies beside each other by combining them into one six-seat constituency.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Pauline O'Reilly: I do not want to hog the slot.