Results 10,781-10,800 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Senators have set out their position in respect of Senator O'Toole's proposal. The recommendations that directors of companies should be required to prepare an annual compliance statement was contained in the report of the review group of auditing, of which Senator O'Toole was chair, and was submitted to my predecessor in July 2000. Section 45 of the resulting Companies (Auditing and...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I did not say that.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: That is what the Senator is proposing.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I did not say that.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In normal circumstances I accept the views of those who are elected in this House, particularly if they are articulated in such a way that the argument is convincing. I totally refute Senator O'Toole's assertions that I do not know what is happening and that I do not know that companies in particular sectors must abide by the laws of this land on health and safety, licensing etc. What I...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Senator is educating me.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I do not want to get into an argument between two sides of the House. The crux of my argument comes from the need to have an auditor. Senator O'Toole said an auditor was not a bloodhound.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It sounds original when it comes from the Senator's utterances. I appreciate that. Company law should not be used as a vehicle to ensure other legislation is adhered to. Company law is company law. Senator O'Toole has made a considered argument and raised one or two matters for consideration such as tax law and other aspects of company law obligations. I will consider those points. I...

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: However, I will have two weeks to think about it in between canvassing. I will be thinking about Senator O'Toole when I am out knocking on doors trying to get a few people elected. We will have further discussion on the matter.

Seanad: Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (27 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: It will be the last thing on people's minds. They will be wondering what we are talking about up here. There are no votes in it anyway, one way or the other, but it is still necessary legislation. I will reflect on the matter and read what Senator O'Toole said in the Official Report.

Written Answers — Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection (28 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Prices are ultimately determined by prevailing market conditions including the costs of doing business. As the circumstances outlined by the Deputy appear to be a business to business transaction it does not fall within the remit of the National Consumer Agency. In any event it is a matter for the purchaser to ensure that he/she gets best value from the market.

Written Answers — Community Employment Schemes: Community Employment Schemes (28 May 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. The purpose of CE is to help unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: If it were not for the Government there would be nothing left of SR Technics.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy said nothing about that.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We are not all alone.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Deputy missed a bit.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Speed and alcohol.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Deputy Reilly could have done something about it when he was head of the IMO.

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The disingenuous nature of contributions and proposals emanating from Opposition benches over recent months served the parties opposite well last week. I congratulate them on their ability to play politics. The wonderland schools of Deputy Kenny's economics and Deputy Gilmore's spin gave the impression that the public would not have to face painful taxation, or spending and service...

Confidence in Government: Motion (9 Jun 2009)

Mary Coughlan: However, if this Government has had any failing in recent months, it has been a failure to communicate in simple terms to the wider public the steps we are taking, their rationale and the path on which they are taking us. In that context, while I consider today's motion a distraction from the serious work required by the House, I welcome the opportunity afforded by this motion to put on the...