Results 1,101-1,120 of 1,637 for speaker:Marie Sherlock

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fire Service (6 Mar 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank the Minister of State for the response. He set out what should happen but we do not have any detail as to how the Department ever follows up with the individual fire services, how comprehensive the preparation of PIP cards is, whether that information in any way exists within the Department or whether there are reporting mechanisms for fire services internally or to the local...

Seanad: Seachtain na Gaeilge: Ráitis (6 Mar 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus fáiltím roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Seanad. Tacaím leis na focail maidir le Niall Ó Donnghaile, who is very much missed in this Chamber. Tá áthas an domhain orm nach bhfuil ceiliúradh amháin ach dhá ceann againn inniu, Seachtain na Gaeilge agus Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I ask for a debate in this House to allow the Minister for children to set out what he is doing regarding the expansion of early years places and what he is doing to look after the viability of existing services. Over the past three years, I and other colleagues have repeatedly highlighted in this House the dire shortage of early years places in this country, not only for those aged under...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (21 Mar 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I welcome the Minister. My question today relates to the State supports for the brilliant home visiting services that operate across many communities in Ireland. Across this country, approximately 170 people go into the homes of about 4,500 children each year and provide a vital parenting, learning and development support to parents and to children. Any of us with young children know the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Childcare Services (21 Mar 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I welcome the establishment of the national home visiting programme. I am struck, however, by the fact the research into home visiting services was commissioned in 2022 and was supposed to be completed in 2023. We hear now it is going to be completed this year. There is only one year left of this Government. I very much hope the outcomes from that research will be acted upon this year. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill 2024: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I very much support the calls made by all the witnesses to lift the mandatory retirement age. We have heard a very powerful case, psychologically, financially and in so many other ways, for why it is important people should not be told they are no longer fit for work just because of their birthday. We know that should not be the case and that people want to work longer. Something earlier...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill 2024: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Just so I am clear in my own mind about what has happened in other countries that lifted the mandatory retirement age, did that apply to all employees there and then or was it to apply to future employees at a certain date or age?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill 2024: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Sure. It is important to say only about half the workforce has access to an occupational pension, so that is obviously critically important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: General Scheme of the Employment (Restriction of Certain Mandatory Retirement Ages) Bill 2024: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: It is important to have that clarification. One of the issues reflected in the contributions this morning is the idea that retirement is a cliff edge, financially and psychologically. I want to understand a little more from the witnesses from all three organisations about the transition to retirement, particularly the question of the availability of flexible working arrangements. The data...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I wish to ask a question and the Leas-Chathaoirleach will have to excuse my ignorance. Does the committee have to be suspended when there is a vote in the Dáil?

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Maternity Leave (11 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank the Minister of State for coming here, in the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman's place, today. Any of us who are fortunate to have had babies know the immense value of maternity leave. It is a way of society saying to women to take time with their newborn babies. Approximately 60 women in this country each year are diagnosed with cancer during their pregnancy and, of course, their...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Maternity Leave (11 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank the Minister of State for the reply. What is going on here? I see from the reply that departmental officials have been considering this proposal and the Minister hopes to bring it to Cabinet shortly. It is now April. He said he was going to do it by the end of 2023. The Minister of State referred to the pregnancy loss report. We have been given to understand that the Minister is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I thank Mr. Downes and Mr. Hughes for their attendance. I want to ask about the dual-use goods. Is it right to characterise the risk assessment as a kind of ex-ante assessment? Is there no ongoing assessment of goods that are on the dual-use register or is there no documentary evidence, such as invoices or whatever, to be sure that the intended customer for these goods is actually the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Exactly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: But once the stamp of approval is given, there are no further checks after that. Is that the case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: Should the Department conduct inspections?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: I hear what Mr. Downes is saying but in terms of the goods that have to apply for a special licence, is it not the case that they have civilian applications but could be used for military purpose?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: In terms of the publication of the names of the companies that have applied for the dual-use licence and the goods, am I clear that Mr. Downes is saying he cannot publish them for commercial sensitivity reasons or he may have updated the position in response to previous contributions and I might not have picked up on it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Marie Sherlock: To be clear, for the record, I do not see that there would be any commercial sensitivity in naming the company and the good itself. I do not see why the Department would be protecting any company. If somebody is looking for a licence, there should be transparency in that as a matter of principle.