Results 1,261-1,280 of 1,494 for speaker:Deirdre Clune

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I offer my congratulations to the Minister of State, Deputy White, and I wish him well particularly in the implementation of the primary health care programme. I am delighted that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, was present earlier to speak on the motion. Much has been made of him having been constantly critical of the previous Government's health policy when in opposition. While I accept he...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: There is one in my constituency in Togher, which has been neglected for many years and I am glad to see it has been included. Deprivation is one of the many indices that have been used. Anybody who has any experience of trying to get a primary health care centre developed knows how essential it is to get GP buy-in.

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: There was also the question of whether they would be done by public private partnership, leasing or developing by the State. The public private partnership model has been used here successfully, although I admit there is need for some oversight in this regard to ensure we are getting value for the taxpayer. I have no objection to the leveraging of private funding for projects we cannot...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I have confidence that public private partnerships can and will deliver, with the necessary supervision. The Minister listed in his speech the improvements made since he took up the health portfolio, in particular the reduction in the number of patients on trolleys, the reduction in surgical waiting lists, the establishment of the office for clinical audit, the criteria for orthopaedics and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Ireland-US Economic Relations: Discussion with American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (16 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: It is good to have an opportunity to discuss the report from the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, which we received earlier in the week. In the context of the US presidential campaign, I am conscious of much commentary around the notion of bringing jobs back home. I have also heard it argued that the environment in the US is better for setting up businesses now, with improved...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Last night Cork experienced heavy rain and flooding and a further 50 mm of rainfall is forecast for today. This highlights the vulnerability of individuals, homes and businesses in flood prone areas. We recently had a discussion with the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, on the issue of insurance companies. I have called for an engagement with insurance...

Seanad: Alcohol Consumption: Statements (17 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I would like to make two points. I have made them before. I welcome the Minister of State's speech. I was interested in a point he made about the "proliferation of outlets and stores that sell alcohol". We know that, as he said, "supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations now sell alcohol". I agree with him entirely that "it is not unreasonable to link elevated levels of...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: A very important conference is taking place in Dublin this week, the web summit, the largest tech conference in Europe. It underlines the credibility of Ireland as an IT sector given the many employers we have in this area. More than 200 CEOs from various companies are speaking at the conference. These include multi-million businesses, Twitter and Skype, as well as start-up entrepreneurs...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Sugar Beet Industry (18 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: A very important conference is taking place in Dublin this week, the web summit, the largest tech conference in Europe. It underlines the credibility of Ireland as an IT sector given the many employers we have in this area. More than 200 CEOs from various companies are speaking at the conference. These include multi-million businesses, Twitter and Skype, as well as start-up entrepreneurs...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I would like to refer to the very positive independent report published yesterday by Indecon on the JobBridge scheme which gave internships to young people, graduates and non-graduates. The report showed a successful outcome in that 52% of those who finished the JobBridge scheme are currently in paid employment, which is very encouraging. Some 89% of the interns felt the JobBridge scheme...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: That was an outrageous comment.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The Minister made the reasons behind his decision clear on RTE last Thursday night; I was watching. I would like to raise the issue of the clocks going back an hour on Sunday morning according to daylight saving time. I acknowledge Senator Conway raised the issue yesterday but this change is inconvenient and confusing and I wonder what it is worth. This time last year, a Bill passed Second...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Workplace Relations Service: Discussion with Employment Appeals Tribunal (6 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank our guests for their informative contributions. Earlier in the year we engaged in a discussion with the Minister in respect of the changes he is making. I agree that there appears to be a great deal of support for his streamlining the process, particularly as in future there will only be two bodies rather than five. On unfair dismissals, the committee will be engaging in further...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Statements (20 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I welcome the Minister to the House. We have discussed the action plan for jobs on previous occasions. The plan has set targets. Quarterly and six-monthly reports have been issued which have been effective in measuring progress. There has been an emphasis in this House on the need to support small businesses. I welcome the changes such as the establishment of the local enterprise...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Skills Mismatch between Industry Requirements and Third Level Courses: Discussion (20 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the delegates for their presentations. The committee is interested in ICT skills and many of the institutes assisted in preparing a report for the committee on this area. The ICT action plan is welcome and is well regarded by industry. The conversion courses are doing very well and it is encouraging that Mr. Boland said these would expand. As Dr. Murphy said, those who take on...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: The Order of Business is No. 1, Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Bill 2012, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken on conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 1.30 p.m., with the contribution of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: Senator Darragh O?Brien and many other Senators, including Senator O?Keeffe, Senator Mullins, Senator Colm Burke, Senator Healy Eames and Senator Walsh, raised their concerns about the recent case in Galway of Savita Halappanavar who, unfortunately, lost her life. I will bring those concerns to the Minister and to the Leader. It is imperative that we get the facts about exactly what...

Seanad: Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Information and Communications Technology Skills: Discussion with Ministers (27 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I thank the Ministers for their contributions today. This committee is examining the area of ICT and other skills. Witnesses have told us of their experiences, particularly in industry, in assessing relevant skills. We have looked at what the Higher Education Authority is offering as well as both Departments represented here. ICT skills have been highlighted in the media and they come up...

Seanad: Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (28 Nov 2012)

Deirdre Clune: I congratulate Senator Quinn on producing this Bill and bringing it to the House. It is a timely discussion. I remember hearing on the radio on 31 August news of the judgment of Mr. Justice Hogan, who reversed the decision of the payment to Mr. Younis. I was shocked and wondered how it could happen in this day and age. It is appalling that somebody coming here who felt, in good faith,...