Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Concerning something said by the Leader, I would have thought that all buildings in receipt of public money would have an automatic——

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I was not present for it.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I speak particularly about buildings in receipt of lottery money. When being built, I would have thought that theatres, for example, would have been in receipt of or have applied for lottery funds. Concerning the general point about sectoral and general plans and how they are referred to in this section in terms of measures being put forward to ensure Departments are disability-friendly, I...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Why does the Government not use the language in the Bill?

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I think it is clear. The Minister of State would know that it means actions taken by Departments are disability proofed. In other words, are the actions of a Department such that it allows——

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I can imagine.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I was not finished. On the disability proofing statement, the Minister of State probably knows that this is the view of the Disability Federation of Ireland. It proposes that each Department and public body produce an annual disability proofing statement of its policies and services. This would show the level of progress in opening their services to people with disabilities. The Minister of...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I have a technical question.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: In that case, I have a question on the section.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: What is meant by the phrase, set out in amendment No. 45, "as soon as may be"?

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I concur with the other speakers and I commend Senator Quinn on putting words into action in his business. Other employers are doing the same and it makes a difference. It makes a difference because the Senator's customers will have the experience of meeting somebody with a disability in an environment where they might not otherwise have met them. It creates an air of normality which is...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: There are hidden ones we are not told about.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I join with Senator Terry in expressing disappointment at the Minister of State's response, particularly in light of the unanimity in the House. The public service plays an important lead role in many areas and we expect it to comply with the highest possible standards across the board. There is an expectation that it would take a lead role in employing people with disabilities. Not enough is...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask the Minister of State to assure the House, in light of what has been said, that the amendment is not necessary.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I very much support this important amendment. The Long Title sets out the intention of the legislation. Senator Terry seeks to delete the following words: "occasioned to persons with disabilities by their disabilities, to enable Ministers of the Government to make provision, consistent with the resources available to them and their obligations in relation to their allocation,". Allocations...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Exactly.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I think I can answer Senator Terry's question. These words do not appear elsewhere as this legislation is resource-based not rights-based. The Senator's amendment would make it rights-based legislation whereas the Government's words make it resource-based legislation. I have been a Member of this House for nearly eight years and do not recall this particular configuration appearing before. It...

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It was the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Seanad: Morris Tribunal Reports: Motion. (15 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. When the second Morris tribunal report was published last week, the public was deeply shocked when it was realised what had been going on in Donegal. We cannot underestimate public concern around the implications for the Garda force of what has been revealed to have happened in Donegal. As enunciated in the House during this debate,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Jun 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: On the subject of child care, Senator Brian Hayes noted earlier the significant announcement made last week by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regard to school age child care. This needs to be debated. We seem to be gaining momentum on the issue of child care but it must be pointed out that no regulations exist in the area of school age child care. At present, anybody...