Results 101-120 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: This evening I wish to be constructive and put forward an argument for the need to allow a certain cohort of people to unlock part of their pension funds. This will allow a flexible system for many people under financial duress. I have consulted with the Irish Brokers Association and IBEC on this matter. Widespread early draw-down of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes must be...

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 22 February, I raised the issue of pro-eating disorder websites at a briefing on eating disorders by Bodywhys that coincided with eating disorder awareness week. These websites define and promote anorexia and bulimia as conscious choices and a lifestyle. They are called pro-ana and pro-mia websites and exploit the vulnerability of people whose ability to reason logically is impaired....

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am heartened to hear the response of the Minister of State. I am very concerned about the number of parents in my constituency who contacted me about these websites. I looked at them for research purposes and I was shocked by the images of thin people proffered as thinspiration. There is also the promotion of a bracelet project, where pro-mia or bulimic sufferers, are advised to wear...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to share time with Deputy Durkan. While I broadly welcome the terms of the Education (Amendment) Bill, certain provisions are lacking and I am glad to air my views. The Teaching Council of Ireland was established by statute in March 2006 to promote teaching as a profession at primary and post-primary levels, to promote the professional development of teachers and to regulate...

Gender Equality (8 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Today is international women's day. In deference to this auspicious day, I call on the Government to legislate for a corporate board quota similar to that of Norway. This would compliment the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill, which proposes an increase in women's representation on the ballot paper for the Dáil. Irish female representation on corporate boards is dismal. In...

Gender Equality (8 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I welcome the Government's forthcoming Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. However, I also wish to highlight the gender pay gap. The unadjusted gender pay gap in October 2009 was 12.8%, an increase from 12.4% in October 2008. I acknowledge that women have made strides in many respects, however, as a Government we must respond to gender barriers and tackle issues that...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Good.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Justifiably so.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I wish to share time with Deputy Tom Hayes, although I do not have much time left this evening.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I hate quotas, the Ceann Comhairle probably hates quotas and, in general, we all probably hate quotas. Ms Viviane Reding, the European justice Commissioner, is no exception, and she is planning to legislate for quotas of women on private sector boards throughout Europe. She stated, "I am not a great fan of quotas but I like the results quotas bring about", which sums up this issue. The...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Before the debate adjourned last night, I indicated that I hated quotas. In 2011, the chief executive of Deutsche Bank stated that appointing women to the bank's executive board, which did not have any women, would make it "prettier and more colourful". His comment made me laugh as I am partial to a bit of colour but I was also reminded of the following great words of encouragement I once...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Apr 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In the upcoming referendum we will be asked to vote "Yes" or "No" to a new EU treaty, a stark "Yes" or "No" to the EU fiscal compact treaty. Its title is a mouthful and quite uninviting. It gives the impression that the treaty is complex and that only PhD scholars can read it, debate it or reason its merits. However, when all the jargon is left to one side, the treaty is quite simple. It...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Roscommon is different to the IMF.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The charge has been paid by 75% of people.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I wish to share time with Deputies Nash, Coffey, John Paul Phelan, Lawlor, McCarthy, Nolan and Ciarán Lynch.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I was taken aback by what Deputy Finian McGrath just said. He earns a good salary as a Deputy and was a former school principal. I cannot believe he can stand up in the Chamber and advocate for people to break the law.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It is just not acceptable that he could say that in this Chamber.

Local Government (Household Charge) (Repeal) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I want to thank the people of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. In published media reports, it is top of the class in compliance with paying the household charge despite one of its Deputies advocating non-payment. To be specific, 76.3% of households in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown paid which can be positively compared to the national average of 56%. Why should my neighbour pay for the local...

Microenterprise Loan Fund Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy O'Donnell and the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, for sharing time. I congratulate the Minister on bringing the Bill before the House. It is a good news story although some Deputies always want to talk down good news stories. Small businesses are at the heart of every community with the local sole trader who provides the newspaper, the local butcher who provides the Sunday...

Freedom of Information (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (6 Jul 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I congratulate Deputy Sean Fleming on bringing this Bill before the House. I agree with much of what has been said on providing for the Central Bank, the National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, the Road Safety Authority, RSA and the vocational education committees, VECs, to be brought under the scope of...