Results 881-900 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is time we examined the legislation, which is extremely complex and cumbersome. We now see that, at a certain level, it is simply not working. We are left with the comment in the Quigley report that there is a perception of impropriety on the part of the Minister, Deputy Cullen. This perception remains in the public arena. One of the objects of setting up the commission was to have a...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: On a point of information, it was the Minister, Deputy Cullen, who brought forward the standards in public office legislation.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to the House for statements on regional transport policy.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Senator Bannon to continue without interruption.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Senator should address his remarks through the Chair.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I wish to share my time with Senator McCarthy.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, and his officials to the House and thank him for setting out comprehensively the regional transport policy. I wish to confine my remarks to the issue of rail in the mid-west region. The Minister of State will be aware there is much concern in the region due to the lack of investment and the need to upgrade the...

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Like other Senators, I thank Senator Norris for introducing the Bill. I also acknowledge the actions of the Leader in listening to and reflecting the views expressed on the Order of Business, particularly on this side, and allowing the debate to proceed and even be extended. I welcome the legislation because it develops a debate recently touched on by a number of key people, including...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I agree we need to look at the mechanism for establishing a new context for the peace process in Northern Ireland. It is our duty as Members of the Oireachtas to look at how that context may be created and the mechanism. I do not know what that mechanism could be but it is important that we start to look for it quickly. In line with this, we should ask the leadership of Sinn Féin, which has...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House for this debate which I requested. I thank the Leader for facilitating statements on the important issue of child care. Other speakers have noted that so far all those who have spoken on the subject, with the exception of the Minister of State, have been female. That is not unusual in this House. I hope it is not an indication that...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: In other words, we should target those parts of the community in which the school drop-out rate is highest. We know where these are because there have been sufficient reports to almost identify where every child is but we are not doing anything about it. We need to intervene early and support poor families and lone parents. God knows there has been enough talk in recent weeks about lone...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Senator is not inadequate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: No doubt the Cathaoirleach is aware that this is International Women's Day. The Leader and I have come from a meeting with an extraordinary group of women, the McCartney sisters and Robert McCartney's partner, who are in Dublin today. It was a privilege to meet them. I applaud their courage and admire their stance in the cause of justice and truth. The leadership they have given has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is not gone.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, before section 2, to insert the following new section: "2.—The Minister shall within 6 months from after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the earnings disregards applicable to schemes operated under the Social Welfare Acts and the impact of transition to work on the recipients of secondary benefits...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister for his response. I appreciate that he will come back to the House to provide us with very valuable information. Some work has been done on this area through the National Economic and Social Forum. I look forward to seeing evidence of the impact of the disregards. Does the Minister know if there is successful entry into the workforce by people on social welfare as a...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I can get the Minister a copy.

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, before section 2, to insert the following new section: "2.—The Minister shall within 6 months from after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the impact of the social welfare system on one parent families and on proposals to remove the restriction on formation of a family unit which presently applies to...