Results 861-880 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 Jan 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I agree that a debate on Northern Ireland should be initiated in the House. A vacuum has been created by the extraordinary events of recent weeks. It is incumbent on all Members to look at how a new context and process can be created, which would support everyone's desire and concern for democratic progress in Northern Ireland. Will the Leader of the House comment on whether it is necessary...

Seanad: Order of Business. (27 Jan 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Hazardous Waste. (27 Jan 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, for attending the House to take this important matter. This is not the first time I have raised this issue. I have lost count of the number of times I have done so. It is a serious and ongoing issue and there is an urgent need for the Minister for Communications, Marine and...

Seanad: Hazardous Waste. (27 Jan 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I seek an assurance from the Minister of State that no plan will be agreed with Mogul without the community's assent to it. That assurance has been given to me by the Department but I would like the Minister of State to give me that assurance today.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and apologise for not being present for the entire debate due to other commitments. I welcome this legislation as a move in the right direction for the extension of parental leave. This is a matter of the utmost importance to an increasing number of people. I am merely stating the obvious when I say that this country has undergone a transformation...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (2 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: That is certainly the case.

Seanad: Future Development of An Post: Statements. (3 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and welcome this timely debate. I and other speakers were present at yesterday's meeting of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, of which I am a member. Members have described the grim picture presented to the committee of what appears to be an inevitable stand-off between a group of unions representing many...

Seanad: Hazardous Waste. (3 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter today. I may be stretching his indulgence because it may appear to him that I have raised this matter on many occasions recently. Last week I raised the urgent need for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to come up with a plan for the rehabilitation of old mining sites. While the matter I am raising...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, are out of order.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: That is correct.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Senator O'Toole has been a Member of this House long enough to know he cannot question the Chair's ruling on this matter.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: In accordance with Standing Order 38, the amendment is out of order as it involves a potential charge on the Exchequer. Amendments Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, are out of order for that reason. They have been ruled out of order in accordance with long-standing precedent. I trust that clarifies the matter. It is in order for Senator O'Toole and the other Senators to raise particular points as we...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I remind Senators that most people have already contributed on this section. We have given 30 minutes to it already.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask Senators to bear that in mind.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (9 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Take your time, Senator.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I too am very disappointed that the Government has tabled the amendment to the motion for the Second Reading of the Private Members' Bill which Senator Norris was proposing that we discuss this evening. I had looked forward to the debate because I felt it would have added to the general consideration of the issues faced by cohabiting couples who need legal protection. It is a question of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is effectively running away from it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Why else would it not allow the Bill——

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: The amendment states that "Seanad Éireann declines to give a second reading to the Bill..." To decline to give a Second Reading to a Private Members' Bill is a serious matter, although this is not the time to discuss that subject. Clearly, we are not being allowed to discuss the motion for the Second Reading tonight.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: This House needs to debate the operation of the Standards in Public Office Commission, specifically the legislation pertaining thereto, in light of the fact that the commission has found itself unable to investigate any further the issue involving the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, under the legislation passed by the Oireachtas.