Results 1,021-1,040 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Ann Ormonde: However, I agree with many of the points he raised.

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator is not very convincing.

Seanad: Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2009: Second Stage. (28 Oct 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Of course.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: The media should step back and let the social partners and politicians work this out in some way. The media are creating so much doom and gloom that it is depressing those in the world outside. The media have a responsibility to step back for a while until we see if we can get back some order to the finances. With regard to the Supreme Court ruling on the discrimination case involving...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: It is wrong that women should be classified in such a way and we will be there on a part-time basis. That is wrong and we should revisit and update the legislation.

Seanad: Education and Training Responses to the Economic Downturn: Statements (5 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State as we face up to the challenges of the economic recession. We face a very difficult budget, as the Minister of State noted, and we must acknowledge the steps that have been taken to face up to the challenges. The only way we can do that is through education and training. We must acknowledge the enormous unemployment figures. How do we protect jobs and...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I have been listening to the contributions from all sides of the House, some of which were very good. In fact, the more I listened, the more confused I became. If I did not go away and do my own thinking, I would agree with points made across the board on various issues. However, a time comes when one must do one's own thinking on it. I started with the history. Why do we have NAMA? The...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (9 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Harris. More than ever, we need a constructive debate on the reform of the public service. That debate should incorporate top management and how they perform their functions and delegate authority and the various layers within each public service organisation. This debate must incorporate the Garda Síochána, teachers, nurses and how they do their work and examine how...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I commend the Minister for Education and Science on providing laptop computers for schools. Backup infrastructure will be required to implement the laptop policy but I welcome the decision because it will further move us into the smart economy. The supplementary report on the findings and recommendations of the National Economic and Social Forum explored the connection between child...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I did not intend to comment on the appointment of Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as Commissioner. However, as my friend and colleague, Senator Leyden, raised the issue and congratulated Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on her future appointment, as a close friend of Ms Geoghegan-Quinn who has been familiar with all aspects of her life, I, too, will comment. As a person of great ability, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I congratulate Senator Carroll. I admire his decision to come into politics at a time when there is such distaste for politicians. He was qualified to take another career path, if he so desired. I wish him well. He has a hard road ahead, particularly at a time when we are all being ridiculed by the public at large. I wish him luck and we will support him having gone through the mill...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with all of the points raised about the flood catastrophe. We must now consider how we can prepare to ensure this never happens again. All county managers should be called in because they know the areas affected. They and the county engineers know what is possible. What are the plans for these areas? We need to keep this discussion on the agenda, receive updates on progress made...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I support many of the points raised, starting with that raised by Senator Fitzgerald on the outcome of the Murphy report. I do not have answers, nor does anybody else. It is a pity institutions are being destroyed when it is individuals within them who should be targeted. We should have a debate on the issue when the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, should advise us on where we...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I also compliment the Taoiseach on his stand last week with the stakeholders on how best we could move forward and the notion of the 12 days' unpaid leave. In view of my own past profession, I could not see how it would work out and I compliment him for taking the lead and stating that was not a runner. Senator Alex White suggested today that we were not having debates here, and I agree with...

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, to the Seanad to listen to the statements on this report. I echo many of the points made by Senator Buttimer. We are singing from the same hymn sheet on this issue. I do not know how to discuss this report. I have scanned it. I could not read it because the litany of abuse and cruelty in every chapter upset me greatly, particularly as this...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: I concur with Senator Cummins on the opening of the M9 at the Castledermot junction. I, too, travel the road and at this time of year it takes an hour to pass through the town. If the Minister is unable to come before the House today or tomorrow, he should issue a statement on the matter. I do not understand how the National Roads Authority works. On several occasions, at local authority...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: Given that the House has a full agenda for today and tomorrow, perhaps the Minister will issue a statement on the reason the bypass cannot be opened, even temporarily, over the Christmas break. I support Senator Hanafin's view on the reform of the Seanad to deal with European business. Despite passing the Lisbon treaty several months ago, the House has had few opportunities to discuss EU...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2009)

Ann Ormonde: That is nasty.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Bacik's call for the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to deal with the many issues raised, although I would not expect him to answer all of the questions I wish to ask. I refer to the role of the universities and raise the question of whether there are too many of them; whether there are too many institutes of technology and whether there is...