Results 1,161-1,180 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I add my support to Senator Norris's amendment which has already been seconded. I was in the House when the issue of establishing a select committee was first raised and no indication was given at any level that there was resistance to the Seanad inquiring into the relevant matter. The House has a right to discuss issues in the manner Senators choose. It is clear the stance of Senators from...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Arising from the news which emerged from County Meath yesterday, I ask for a debate on industrial development, job creation and competitiveness. In recent years, large areas of the country have experienced many job losses as industries left without replacement. The people of these regions, which include significant areas of the midlands extending into County Tipperary, are being told by IDA...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Why can the House not inquire into the matter?

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I would very much welcome a debate on the events of last Saturday. We have all been shocked by the revelation of a strain of sectarianism, hooliganism and racism that was evident in last Saturday's events. As other speakers have said, we need to deal with what has been revealed in the events that took place on O'Connell Street last weekend. It is outrageous that the lives of gardaí would be...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: ——and that they would be exposed for whatever reason, be it irresponsible management on the day, the allocation of insufficient resources or because a particular decision was made on how to manage the event. It would be acceptable to use a cordon if it was required to protect our democracy and to make a very strong statement that we will protect the right of everyone, regardless of their...

Seanad: Nitrates Directive: Motion. (1 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I very much welcome the debate on this contentious issue. I hoped we would be able to have a debate which had more light than heat in it but I am not sure it is going that way. This debate is reflective of what has been happening in regard to this issue, particularly in recent months, and it is not working. It has become an issue of pro or anti-directive meaning pro or anti-farmer, rural...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask the Leader whether she can inform the House if the report by Judge Harding Clark is being circulated to Members. I have not received a copy. If we are to have a debate it would be important that the report be circulated. I ask on behalf of all Members if a decision has been taken not to circulate reports. I can understand that reports are available on websites and there may be a desire...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Senator. I ask for a debate on flexible working and the connected issue of child care. This Government has paid no attention to the issue of flexible working in the private sector. While it is available and widely used, especially by women within the public service, flexible working such as part-time work, job-sharing and term-time work is not available in the private sector. As...

Seanad: Public Order Offences: Statements. (2 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister. This is an important debate, particularly since we have had a few days to consider the events of last Saturday. A core issue, which was raised by other speakers, is the right of FAIR to march down O'Connell Street. Nobody in this House would deny it that right but some believe it should not have that right. That is a core issue for us and for our democracy and for the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support the call for a debate on the deployment of Garda resources across the country because it would be very useful. Such a debate should include an examination of how Garda resources are deployed in rural areas, as well as in urban areas. There is a significant deficit in Garda presence in villages and rural areas where people fear for their lives at night. I would welcome a debate on...

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (21 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister to the House. This debate, which I have followed on the monitor in my office, is a useful one and concerns important legislation. I acknowledge the work done by the Minister since his appointment to his portfolio and I would be party political and petty if I did not acknowledge that reform has been on his agenda and that he seems committed to bringing change. I look...

Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (21 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I often ask people if they know about family income supplement and constantly promote it. Why is the take-up at such a low level? I would like to know because it is a very accessible scheme and is widely advertised. I thank the Minister for his address and look forward to further debate on this important legislation.

Seanad: Educational Services. (21 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I wish to raise the situation faced by St. Sheelan's College of Further Education in Templemore, where I recently attended a meeting of Oireachtas Members from the constituency with the principal, Mr. Dan Condron. St. Sheelan's is a college of further education, formerly a secondary school, in Templemore and in June 2000 the Department of Education and Science initiated a reorganisation of...

Seanad: Educational Services. (21 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: While I thank the Minister of State for his reply, it is far from satisfactory and I will continue to pursue the matter.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: We have a great relationship with RTE.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: As a former employee of RTE and a member of the NUJ, I would defend to the last the right of RTE journalists to decide who appears on their programmes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: However, we must remember that RTE plays a very important role in our democracy by ensuring debates on important public issues take place and that senior politicians, particularly Ministers, are questioned and held to account for their actions.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: That did not happen last night.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)

Kathleen O'Meara: Let us hold him to account for his lack of stewardship on crime, which has been clearly shown in a survey commissioned by his own Department on the extent of public concern over his and his Department's failure to tackle the issue.