Results 881-900 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Hear, hear. Well done.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to the House for this interesting discussion. I came into the Chamber for the start of the debate so that I could listen to all the contributions and gauge the differing views of Members on all sides of the House. I accept that the Lisbon treaty has nothing to do with this debate. However, I take this opportunity to wish the Taoiseach well...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: The report is excellent. It was an absolute disgrace to hear the negative contribution in the Chamber today at a time when we should all be singing the same tune as we consider how best to move forward in the aftermath of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty. There is no doubt that the economic challenges we face are great. However, I have no doubt that we will, in time, weather those...

Seanad: Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I thank the Minister of State for giving of his time to discuss this report. It is timely that we are holding this discussion given the Taoiseach's forthcoming meeting with the European Council. We have an opportunity to reflect on Ireland's position on the non-ratification of the Lisbon treaty. I commend the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union and its Chairman, Senator...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I congratulate Senator Bacik on organising yesterday's event involving past and current female Members of the Oireachtas.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: The event provided a glorious opportunity for women to reflect on how far they have progressed in the past 90 years. Lessons should be learned from occurred yesterday. I will not repeat the matters to which other Senators referred. However, there is one issue which disappeared from the agenda for two or three days as a result of the food crisis, namely, the horrific murder that occurred in...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Let us cut out such behaviour and get on with the real debates aimed at discovering how we might assist society.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I am particularly interested in the Lisbon treaty. There is a need for an ongoing debate on this matter. Last week we engaged in a worthwhile discussion on the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union. I welcome the way the Government is dealing with this matter in Europe. We should not play politics to any great degree on this extremely serious issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Would the Opposition believe it?

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and appreciate her patience in bearing with the House for so long. The budget's announcement was handled badly — I make no bones about that — but I believe that millionaires should not qualify for medical cards. The problem lay in how we went about making the change, but we have tried to rectify the situation. Some 95% of the people in question will...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: This is a speech. It is ridiculous.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I just came in on this debate and have not read too much about it. I agree with all the points made, certainly by Senator Bradford, on the home help and carer's allowance. It is all about community and how we can best keep the elderly and those who are not well in their own families, which would be ideal. No doubt the Minister will have great empathy with the points made here this...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I am listening to Senator Bradford, and the issue about which he is talking is quite convoluted. I really need to study this. We are talking about spouses, farmers' wives, farmers' husbands, who is a partner, who is paying PRSI, who has not paid PRSI and who is doing the returns. I would hate to be in that league of thinking because they would buy and sell me. I would not be able for the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: There is a perception that lone parents will try to dodge in any way they can, they want to work and to receive the lone parent allowance and they will do everything to take as much as they can from the State. Is there a perception that lone parents want it all and the Minister has a problem trying to work through what they are saying and thinking? I ask for the Minister's view as that...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I was only asking a question.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Norris's contribution was a breath of fresh air and has put me off my own contribution.

Seanad: Economic Issues: Motion (28 Jan 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, to the House. We have been provided with another opportunity to debate the economic downturn and increase in unemployment. The main question is where we go from here. I want to address the two areas of overhauling FÁS and the back to education schemes. I know many who have lost their jobs. While we are having this debate, many families...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the debate we are to have tomorrow on the cutbacks. I listened attentively to what Senator O'Toole had to say about the fairness or unfairness of some of them. I have had many phone calls from ex-colleagues in the teaching profession who explained how they would be affected. We all have to face these cutbacks. I am concerned about jobs and that is why I say to my colleagues that...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I would like the Minister to come in and give us an update and listen to the suggestions that have been put forward today as to how we can help those involved, particularly the pensioners and others who are being deprived. I welcome the decision of the Waterford Crystal workers to hold out on this issue.

Seanad: Human Rights Issues: Motion (4 Feb 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after ''Seanad Éireann'' and substitute the following: "notes that it is not the Government's intention that the Combat Poverty Agency will simply be absorbed into the Office for Social Inclusion in its existing form, but rather that a new strengthened division will be created that will make the best use of the considerable experience and expertise...