Results 981-1,000 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Human Trafficking: Motion (10 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister and the opportunity to have a discussion on this evil crime, which is a societal issue. We must do everything we can to prevent trafficking, protect potential victims and prosecute offenders. Some time ago I read an article in one of the daily newspapers which discussed human trafficking between Vietnam and Cambodia. It highlighted an example of how it was carried...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: That is nasty.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran. I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a contribution to this discussion. I congratulate the Opposition on its fine performance in the elections. However, I will not be dictated to in this House by somebody who blew into the Fine Gael Party and will blow out as quickly as he blew into it. I was born and reared in politics. I am...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey's problem is that he is-----

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey's problem is that he is nasty.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator is nasty; that is the difference between us. I want to discuss the issues.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey can give it but he cannot take it.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: There is no doubt but that the election campaign was difficult. People were extremely angry as a result of the fact that the Government was obliged to make tough decisions. Regardless of who might be in government, at times such as those we are experiencing, difficult decisions must be made and pain must be endured. Fianna Fáil is in government and naturally it has been blamed for what...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: It all comes down to the money people have in their pockets. I was involved in the election campaign in Dublin South and I have more experience than the Senator will ever obtain. I can talk in clear terms and I am prepared to accept when I am wrong. That is for sure. Having listened to people's views and experienced their anger, I am aware that there is a need for us to reflect on what we...

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Twomey had golden opportunities to remain in his party. He was lucky to obtain a seat in this House and now he has an opportunity to gain further experience. Such experience might do him the world of good and he might be lucky on the occasion of the next general election.

Seanad: Elections of June 2009: Statements (11 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: People must recognise that our economic circumstances have changed and that we are living in a different world. We must be careful with how we shape our views in respect of the country's future. The nature of employment and the future of society are changing. The world economy will dictate the kind of jobs that will be available. We must examine our position with regard to the nature of...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I congratulate former Senator Kelly and wish him every success in his new role as MEP. I would also like clarity on the issue of Crumlin Hospital. I listened to many programmes yesterday and mixed messages were coming through on whether operations had been cancelled and for what reason. It is very important to get clarity on that. I wish the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs,...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with all those who spoke about the lack of rural transport. I am very concerned that we would cut back on rural transport. I feel very strongly that we must do something to activate community life. When people are trying to get planning permission to build a house on their farm it is refused and now rural transport is being cut back. There will be no rural life in this country and...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I would welcome very much a debate on the management of our schools and whether they should be Stated-oriented or under the domain of the religious. I have no difficulty with holding such a debate and the jury is out on which is preferable. There should be a detailed analysis of the boards of management which control schools and of whether they should be controlled by teachers or parents....

Seanad: Night-time Rural Transport: Statements (23 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister. I have taken a great interest in the concept of how we can revive rural community living. I welcomed the Minister when he introduced this pilot night-time transport scheme and thought it was an excellent idea. It has worked well. I knew it was being introduced on a test basis and it has been a success story. It helped to provide a link for people with their local...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with many speakers that we should have a cross-party discussion on the financial situation. I do not want any more talking the talk. We have spoken every day for the past three weeks about the financial situation, and while it is a huge debate, we should be constructive about it and not bash one another as has been the case in the Chamber. I would welcome a cross-party constructive...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (30 Jun 2009)

Ann Ormonde: On the last point, it is very important we keep the Lisbon treaty on the agenda and decide very quickly when the referendum should be held. It is more than necessary that we keep the debate alive. I endorse the points raised by many speakers, including Senators Harris and Hanafin, on an bord snip nua and the question of where the cuts should come from. We should all make an honest...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Jul 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with the concept of the levy. However, I have listened to the debate and many problems appear to be arising. I received a telephone call last night during which the caller asked about the situation of a landlord who has a second house in which there are three or four flats. Does the landlord pay just one levy on the second house or is there a levy for every flat? I could not...

Seanad: Unemployment: Motion (1 Jul 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Kelleher. I thank the Green Party for tabling this motion. I am interested in how to deal with the unemployed, address the problem and reverse the trend and prevent job losses. I will concentrate on the areas in which we can help to re-train, upskill and perhaps send people back to education in...

Seanad: Unemployment: Motion (1 Jul 2009)

Ann Ormonde: It is great to see that there is co-ordination between the three Departments. For a long time there was none, especially between FÁS and the Department of Education and Science where many programmes were duplicated and a great deal of money was wasted. I am glad that day is over and that FÁS is working with the Irish Vocational Education Association, IVEA, and there will not be...