Results 1,041-1,060 of 4,931 for speaker:Mary White

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: I remind the Senator that the vast majority of Senators were originally nominated by nominating bodies. I was nominated by the Irish Exporters Association. I have to reflect on my experience as a businessperson as well as the advice of those involved in the bodies which nominate candidates to the industrial and commercial panel.

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: If I were the Minister of State — I hope he does not construe this as a personal remark — I would seriously consider engaging in discussions with the 240 key companies which employ more than 1,000 people. He needs to listen to the opinions of the companies in question to ensure that we do not have excessive bureaucracy and regulation. I have made my suggestion with all due respect to the...

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: I am fascinated by Senator McDowell's comments. As I understand it, the Labour Party is proposing to go into coalition with Fine Gael, which is a right-wing party. However, it is going back to its——

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: Senator McDowell is pursuing a form of left-wing ideology that is wrong. He is playing games with private business. As I said earlier, only 25% of private enterprises in this country are unionised. I am in favour of unions, when they are needed. What Senator McDowell is doing is wrong. He is playing games at the moment. He is returning to left-wing policies, rather then joining his Labour...

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: I move amendment No. 33: In page 8, subsection (1), line 1, to delete "An agreement" and substitute "Agreements". I propose that the word "agreement" be changed to "agreements". As it stands, the Bill does not make clear whether a suitable arrangement within an employment could consist of separate agreements to cater for diverse groups such as unionised or non-unionised workers in order that...

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: Amendments Nos. 33 and 34 have already been dealt with.

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: The Senator should move on to the other amendments.

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: Members will be here all day doing so.

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: It is worthwhile reminding ourselves that the aim of this directive is to promote social dialogue between management and labour. I do not understand Senator McDowell's arguments regarding direct involvement.

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: The wording in the Bill regarding the meaning of the term "collective" is defective and the directive does not mean to be so blunt. We know what the term means and believe that the amendment is more in line with the directive.

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: I agree that direct involvement does not mean sending out an e-mail or a newsletter. However, it could involve sitting down once a week with employees. Senator Quinn spoke about a meeting he had with his staff last week. Direct involvement could involve meeting with employees in a staff canteen and the management engaging socially in dialogue with staff to resolve any misunderstandings or...

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: It is possible to hold meetings with 50 or 60 people. They could be held in boardrooms in the case of small companies. Regarding the question of larger companies and the pyramid model described by Senator McDowell, there are master's degrees in human relations and personnel courses that people pursue in larger companies to learn to engage directly and appropriately with employees. No company,...

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (12 Oct 2005)

Mary White: The purpose of the amendment is to reduce employers' exposure by including a broader definition and thereby avoid the possibility that disputes will arise as a result of a carte blanche presumption by employees.

Seanad: Domestic Violence: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Mary White: When I met Mr. John Connolly just over a month ago, at the request of Women's Aid, he sought my support as a politician in highlighting the issue of domestic violence. I said I would do my utmost to raise the matter in the Seanad and at meetings of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party. Last week, the Leader of the House, Senator O'Rourke, and I attended the launch by the Minister of State,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Oct 2005)

Mary White: I too am a member.

Seanad: Animal Diseases: Statements. (20 Oct 2005)

Mary White: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, for coming to the House today to discuss the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Brazil and the discovery of avian influenza in Romania and Turkey. The former Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Joe Walsh, displayed exemplary leadership when he protected our country from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK. His actions provide...

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Oct 2005)

Mary White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Mary White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Mary White: I welcome the Minister. Senator Bradford is wrong about the lack of volunteers. Dr. Mary Redmond pointed out to us last year that at least 250,000 people do some voluntary work. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, large numbers of people, from all walks of life and of all ages, engage in voluntary work. They are unsung heroes. Yesterday morning, the Carers' Association, led by its chief...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Mary White: We presume the Minister will support the Bill.