Results 1,041-1,060 of 4,295 for speaker:Catherine Noone

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: We all know that hotels in Dublin have become very expensive. We have been hearing that across the board. I read with interest in the past few days that the journalist, Billy Keane, suggested hotels sign a pledge not to increase prices for certain events in this city. We are in the process of recovering from the crash. Hotels obviously suffered during it but no one benefits in the short...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, gave what was really a warning to Dublin hotels in the budget. One does not need to be the Minister for Finance to see that hotels are overcharging in Dublin on an ordinary day in many cases. However, when there is a special event on in the city, they seem to really go for it. Billy Keane's idea is a good one and I agree with it. It would be good...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: Of course they are.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I welcome the announcement today of 300 new jobs in Dublin at the recruitment website, Indeed.com. I also welcome the 1,000 new jobs for Cork. It is ridiculous to suggest the Government has not had some role to play in the creation of these jobs. If we were not creating jobs and were still haemorrhaging jobs at the rate which applied when we took over, we would be facing criticism for...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: -----it is a hell of an improvement on where we were when we took over and it is an own goal for Fianna Fáil to make statements like that. The Dublin City Development Plan-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: The Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022 is currently being prepared. I know I will get feedback on this but I will be calling on Dublin City Council and the other three Dublin authorities to consider the implementation of a no-fry zone. Chip shops near schools are targeting children with value deals after school or during the school lunch break. We have a serious obesity crisis....

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I join colleagues in wishing the former Senator, Jimmy Harte, well with is recovery. I also wish the former Senator's family well. Jimmy Harte is a gentleman and a nice colleague. We will miss him. I trust his family will pass on our regards. I welcome Senator Cahill and wish her well. I think she will be a positive voice in the Seanad. She certainly has something new - arising out of...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: This week RTE's "Prime Time" programme was on an important investigation into new drugs that are currently legal due to the Misuse of Drugs Act being outdated. I was surprised to learn that the Garda cannot pursue a prosecution for the sale and possession of many of these so-called legal highs. We urgently need to update the Misuse of Drugs Act to quash the new drugs emerging on the market....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tax Credits (24 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I also thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this Commencement matter which concerns the need for the Minister for Finance to outline the current position on the home carer tax credit, the number of people in receipt of same and if there are plans to reform it. As the Minister of State is probably aware, the home carer tax credit is outlined as being available to a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Tax Credits (24 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I thank the Minister of State for the reply, which is adequate and answered what I asked. On a positive note, I know the figure we have is from 2013, but it states that in 2015, the Revenue relief automatically applied to 81,000 and previously in 2013 some 82,500 families availed of it. Clearly, only a very small number of people do not have to actively look for it. It would be interesting...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early Childhood Care and Education (25 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I raise the need for him to clarify the issue of a second year of free preschool care for a child who already has received his or her first year of free preschool care. I have met a number of people who had children who were almost four but had missed the cut-off date to enable them to attend school. As they already had participated in the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early Childhood Care and Education (25 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I agree wholeheartedly with the final paragraph of the Minister's response. There is no question that the recent budgetary change represents a major improvement for children. The specific point in the matter I raise relates to the fact that one of the particular children whose parents I spoke to will start school next September. The child is already in a second preschool year. It appears...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Early Childhood Care and Education (25 Nov 2015)

Catherine Noone: I accept what the Minister said. I appreciate where he is coming from but it does not really answer my question about the children who have a potential second year that was not intended before they go to school. I gather that the cut-off point is the crux of the issue for the child in question. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: Why make a big deal out of it then?

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: Come on. This is getting-----

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: I am a practising solicitor. Someone who has done a science degree and goes on to do a medical degree is given certain exemptions. Certain exemptions and exceptions should be in place for members of the legal profession. At the end of the day, we are all lawyers and we have very similar qualifications and abilities. Certain exemptions should be made for members of both legal professions...

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (2 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: It is not dumbing down.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Overseas Missions (3 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: I will be brief enough. The debate I have asked for is on the need for the Minister for Defence to outline the policy now being implemented by his Department in relation to security matters in the Middle East. I should have gone further and asked how it impacts on us in Ireland with regard to security. A number of people have raised this with me when I meet people in the community and on...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Overseas Missions (3 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: I thank the Minister of State for the answer. It is very comprehensive. I may need to bring another question another day in regard to steps being taken to make people aware of the security measures we are taking in Ireland in the wake of recent happenings in Europe.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Staffing (9 Dec 2015)

Catherine Noone: This is a fairly straightforward Commencement Matter on the need for the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the situation with regard to the provision of an SNA for Scoil Oilibheir in Dublin 15. I have been contacted by a constituent who is a former SNA in that school. In addition to getting an idea about the situation in this particular school, I would be grateful for an...