Results 941-960 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: ——is undemocratic, because I, having worked very hard could find at the end of the campaign, if a list system is imposed, that no matter what I have done to earn my Seanad seat, that people who are prominent in Ireland are selected above me. It could be that prominent people who have failed to hold their Dáil seats may be selected, and not I. Is that a fair system?

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I believe that to be undemocratic, so let us have fair play. Every election I have contested I have won, myself.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I have always said that I like fair play. That is the democracy end of it, we are elected and we are doing a good job. As regards the university procedure, I agree totally with all the Senators who said the franchise should be extended to all graduates. It is most unfair to graduates from the University of Limerick and Dublin Institute of Technology who possess worthwhile degrees as well...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I am making a contribution at the moment and I have listened to the Senator and what he had to say.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: In relation to the proposal for a regionalised way of doing things I believe the jury is out in that regard and it should be discussed further. I am not sure it would work, but it is a good idea and would remove much hardship as regards having to travel all over the country. I do not really have the answer, however, as regards that and we need further discussion on it. I have just touched...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: It must not come from somewhere out there. We know how to run this Seanad. We are good at our job, let there be no doubt about that. I can tell the Minister we can make this work if given half a chance to reform the Seanad. I welcome the debate today, although I cannot agree with the motion. There are very good points in it, however. I thank Senator O'Toole for bringing it forward for...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I see that Senator White has arrived in the Chamber. Does he wish to contribute? Others wish to contribute in the five minutes that remain.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: There will be time for a reply.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to reinforce a number of points which have been made. I welcome the opening of discussions with the trade unions and I hope we will be able to divert the strikes of next Monday. This would show leadership. We need to discuss third-level fees and how best to move forward on this matter. Many good suggestions are being made inside and outside this House. It would be great to have a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I share the views of many Senators on how we can move forward. We are in a downturn, but that gives us an opportunity to think about how we can reform our institutions, create jobs and help people return to education. What is coming through from all speakers is that we must have fairness. People spoke about freedom of the press. I have great regard for freedom of the press and I welcome...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Mar 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Fairness must be part of any presentation of the facts, but that is lacking across the board. Fairness is something we should all be mindful of in the future. I support the point made by Senator Hannigan about overseas aid. I understand it must be cut back due to domestic problems, but I hope that by 2012 we will reach the United Nations target of 0.7% of GNI. I would push for that and I...

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The National Economic and Social Forum has brought out another document debating social inclusion and where we should go from here. It would be ideal to have an opportunity to discuss the way forward and how best we can help those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly or those caring for children, get back into employment. There is a golden opportunity to discuss the issue because of...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I again welcome to the House the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. Normally I enjoy Senator Burke's contributions but today I was surprised by his list of negative contributions on this budget. While it is something in his personality that I had not spotted previously, he must play the game and I take it in the context in which it was delivered today. I will not say much because it...

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: He is coming in here to tell us——

Seanad: Supplementary Budget Statement 2009: Statements (9 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: He is patronising us. Since when did the Senator have that role?

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (22 Apr 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I stand here today with a heavy heart. I express my sincere sympathy first to Noreen and the family. I shared an office with Tony for more than 12 years so not alone was he a colleague, he was also a great friend. He was a man I trusted implicitly. Whenever I had a problem I would go to him knowing that with sincerity he would give me the right answers. In all my years in the office I...