Results 1,221-1,240 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Well said.

Seanad: Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying his approach to the amendment. I have listened to some of the comments made and I agree that the Bill shows that the State is taking a risk with taxpayers' money. We would all love to see more money made available to businesses. People can demonstrate that their businesses are viable but they do not meet the lending criteria of the banks. John...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The scheme will be reviewed. It is taxpayers' money. Inevitably, some businesses will not succeed. That is the nature of business - one must take a risk. However, we are dealing with money that has been paid by taxpayers, and the Minister of State has explained how this is to be funded. The 2% is important to fund the scheme. It is an important first step. We are dealing with...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The Minister and the Minister of State both recognise that it is important to report on the operation of the scheme, but it is also important to have flexibility in the way it operates. The Minister may want to look at it on a more regular basis. Twelve months is a short time; it is a new scheme. The Bill provides for the Minister to prepare a report and lay it before both Houses of the...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Committee Stage (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I am glad to have an opportunity to raise the issue of a proposed new national school for Educate Together in Carrigaline, County Cork, which is a growing area. In September 2008, a new Educate Together school was established in temporary rented accommodation and had 20 pupils at that stage. Last September, the school had 150 students and it is expected to have 180 in September 2012 based...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (28 Jun 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister of State for his statement and appreciate his clarification. I understand the position, but I wanted to outline the severe difficulties facing the school which is growing. With the ASD unit and the growth in population, it is really feeling the pinch.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I wish to raise the same issue as Senator Mullen and to discuss and call for a debate on mathematics. I wish to discuss the uptake of higher level mathematics and standards attained. It was the subject of a report from the National Competitiveness Council that was announced on radio this morning and I heard the Minister being interviewed on the subject. This year there is 25 bonus points...

Seanad: Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I move: That Seanad Éireann, takes note of the report of the investigation by the Standards in Public Office Commission into contraventions of section 21(1) of the Standards in Public Office Act by Senator Pat O'Neill which was laid before Seanad Éireann on 23 May, 2012; considers, that the requirements of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 that members must provide evidence of...

Seanad: Credit Guarantee Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Minister of State for his contribution today and last week on Committee Stage. I also thank the Minister for his contribution on Second Stage. This is an important Bill and will help companies that have been refused credit by banks. It will also serve to educate banks on the new types of businesses that are out there and give them the confidence to move forward and engage with...

Seanad: Rent Supplements: Motion (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: To pick up on Senator Barrett's last point, a house is just somewhere to live but, unfortunately, for some people it became a commodity and we have seen the set of problems that created for this economy on many fronts in the past decade. Today we are focusing on the rental sector. We had a briefing this morning on the Central Statistics Office figures and it was pointed out to us that...

Seanad: Flood Prevention (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise the issue of the recent flooding in Cork. As everybody will be aware at this stage, severe flooding occurred last Wednesday night following very heavy rainfall last Wednesday night and on previous occasions during June. The reason I raise this issue is to ensure that a comprehensive report will be prepared and made available under the...

Seanad: Flood Prevention (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The Minister of State might outline the relationship between the OPW and the local authorities and who will be reporting to the Minister on what went wrong. Who will be reporting to the Minister?

Seanad: Flood Prevention (4 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Will the report be prepared by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government?

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: That is what the discussion is about.

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The reforms in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill which I welcome are far reaching. The complete overhaul of the JLC and registered employment agreement structure is appropriate at a time of economic difficulties. If the Bill had been introduced ten years ago, it would not have received the same reception. We must ensure we are competitive, that employers can survive and...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (10 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The individuals in question were willing to work for a lower rate, but because of the agreement they were precluded from doing so. I hope some sense and balance will be brought to the issue with a recognition that there are two sides to the story. The Labour Court can now take into consideration the economic environment in which the employment is based. It can recognise the particular...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I refer to the sale of alcohol. Yesterday, following the concert in the Phoenix Park, Members focused on the volume of alcohol young people and not so young people had consumed at the concert. Last week we heard from Senator Averil Power about an irresponsible supermarket promoting alcohol products. We are in the summer season. The leaving certificate results will be released next month...

Seanad: School Curriculum (11 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me the opportunity to raise this issue. I have a particular interest in the issues of competency in mathematics and the need to address the teaching of mathematics and the attainments of students in their examinations. Last week the National Competitiveness Council circulated a paper by Mr. Seán McDonagh and Mr. Tony Quinlan which examined the...

Seanad: School Curriculum (11 Jul 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Bonus points are available for mathematics this year and it will be interesting to see the progress made and the results achieved. The Minister has an open mind on this issue and nothing is set in stone. This is no ordinary document; it is from the National Competitiveness Council and we should take it seriously.