Results 821-840 of 4,295 for speaker:Catherine Noone

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2014)

Catherine Noone: I welcome the fact that the European People's Party, EPP, started our conference in the conference centre today. It is the largest political grouping in Europe and Fine Gael is one of its founding members.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2014)

Catherine Noone: This is a major boost for Dublin and was quite a coup for the Taoiseach. I am happy that we will all attend the conference to welcome our counterparts to Dublin.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2014)

Catherine Noone: The Senator Leader will not be attending,-----

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Mar 2014)

Catherine Noone: -----but she would be welcome. I do not have a question.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2014)

Catherine Noone: I express my sympathy to the family of my friend and colleague, Nicky McFadden, who bravely fought the horrendous illness from which she suffered. She was a beautiful person. We will have an opportunity to pay tribute to her on another day. May her gentle soul rest in peace. I join with others who have suggested that a great way to pay tribute to her would be to better resource research...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Semester Process: Committee of the Regions (1 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: The presentation highlights the lack of joined-up government and a local–regional dimension. This has been a problem for years and the semester process is taking the local dimension further away from the European Union. Are there measures that could make a significant difference to communication and get to those more at the coalface of local development and issues that this committee...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: I welcome the launch today by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland's Menu-Cal. Certainly calorie counting is not the answer to obesity but it is widely accepted that it can have a positive effect. On the one hand, the restaurant representative bodies say this will be expensive for them and that it will, ultimately, be ineffective. On the other, it is clear from research that 96% of people...

Seanad: Care of the Elderly: Motion (9 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. The debate is worthwhile and necessary. It is an issue that needs to be constantly monitored because the demographics show that by 2041 there will be approximately 1.3 million to 1.4 million people aged over 65 years in the country. It is important to get our approach and strategy right since the number of older people in our population...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: I also wish to pay tribute to Ms Jody Blake on her early retirement, which has to be emphasised. I also want to echo the comments on her dress sense which is something we have had a good few chats about. In fact, I think we have a dress or two in common. She is very quirky and cool and I really enjoy her from that point of view, as well as her calm and lovely manner. She has made me feel...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Crime Prevention (15 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: In light of the proven effectiveness of crime prevention text alerts in both urban and rural trials, consideration should be given to a centralised grant fund to allow residents' associations and communities to begin their own crime prevention text alert trials. It has been stated that the Minister's Department does not directly fund such schemes, but that does not preclude the Minister from...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Crime Prevention (15 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: I thank the Minister of State. I am happy with the response. It is a comfort to know the Minister is so supportive of neighbourhood schemes such as this proposed scheme.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: I support Senator Norris's request that Pope Francis be invited to Ireland. He has been a positive influence on the Catholic Church since his election as Pope. He has been very reforming and it would be positive for us to have him come to the country. I also support Senator MacSharry's reasonable request for a debate on the proposed introduction of free GP care for those aged under six,...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: Give her a chance.

Seanad: An Update on Situation in Ukraine: Statements (17 Apr 2014)

Catherine Noone: I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for his endeavours in this regard. I also welcome the debate on this important and serious issue. The situation in Ukraine poses many issues in the short and long term, on which the Minister touched. In the aftermath of the internal unrest which occurred following the then government's decision to ally itself with Russia as opposed to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Catherine Noone: I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Tánaiste, whom I have always found to be a gentleman. He has always shown integrity, particularly in how he has conducted himself in recent days. I join colleagues in commending everybody who put their names forward for the European and local elections and the by-elections. I pay tribute, in particular, to our colleague, Senator Deirdre...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Catherine Noone: It is difficult to listen to Senator Cullinane claim that Independent Members such as Senator O'Donnell have not been independent in this House. On the contrary, I would argue that she has proved her independence on many occasions. To credit Sinn Féin with independent thought, however, is a bit of a stretch. With regard to the medical card issue, we must face up to the fact that it has...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Catherine Noone: The real problem, however, is that the system is flawed and requires us now to take stock. In fact, there was an acknowledgement before the elections that the system is not working well. It is an issue that requires a great deal of careful attention in the coming weeks. We as a Government must show that we care for and have empathy with people who are vulnerable. The comments that have...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 May 2014)

Catherine Noone: Well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Catherine Noone: I would favour a debate on the fracking issue raised by Senator Quinn so all sides of the issue could be discussed with the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, including the different research that has been carried out in America and elsewhere, with a view to getting all the issues on the table. I agree with Senator Quinn that there is a great deal of scaremongering on this issue. If the Americans...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Jun 2014)

Catherine Noone: Yes, I am for ever seeking a debate on it.