Results 1,341-1,360 of 1,597 for speaker:Cecilia Keaveney

Seanad: Music in the Classroom (4 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply. However, it ignored the actual question, which asked for an appraisal of a particular school because funding is always geared and prioritised according to facts. If a formal appraisal were done of a real project, with real criteria and goals, we might then create a very strong case that this type of approach is better than another....

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I welcome the Minister. I am not an expert on bio-fuels but a group of us on the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body examined energy issues and the opportunities that are there for Ireland which is so dependent on new ideas for enterprise and employment. There is great potential to retain and create jobs in the agriculture and energy industries through the green agenda. Toyota is having...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: Senator Harris is such an eloquent speaker and I agree with all he said.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: This is the first day of the new European Commission. I welcome the appointment of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to the position of Commissioner. I was only in the Dáil two days after my election when I got a four page foolscap handwritten letter from her. I wish I had sent it on to George Lee when he got elected because it acknowledged that "the Dáil can be a lonely place unless one thinks...

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: As Seanad Fianna Fáil spokesperson on education I am very glad to speak on this most important issue about college places and CAO applications. This is a very difficult time every year for students who are facing the leaving certificate and must decide on a choice of course and college. I am anxious that the process of decision-making is made as easy as possible. To that end, I have been...

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: Perhaps that is a subject for another day. We need to adapt the secondary education system. We need to improve the links between the pre-primary, primary and post-primary sectors. That might make the education system sound like a factory farm but being aware of the bigger picture should not be a restraint or constraint. We need to acknowledge that our economy needs employers and...

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: That is the same level of increase as last year.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I got plenty of offers.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: That is the story of my life.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I went on to complete seven years in university.

Seanad: School Curriculum (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue. It has been brought to my attention that other parts of the world have self-awareness programmes for young people, particularly in respect of cancer. I appreciate that the Minister of State of the Department of Education and Science is present in the Chamber. Some might say the relevant Department is the Department of Health...

Seanad: School Curriculum (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Minister of State for informing me that a programme is in place. Resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, learning activities, fact sheets, CDs, DVDs and on-line resources, including podcasts, are not as effective as the method of touch and feel. If we are telling people they should use procedures for self-examination to look for a lump or bump, it would be much easier to...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I recognise that today the Minister for Education and Science has allocated €579 million for the school buildings programme. I welcome, in particular, the fact that in my own area three schools in Letterkenny will benefit. Sometimes we hammer someone for what is not taking place, but we must recognise the great support this €579 million will provide for the construction industry. While...

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I second the motion. However, in doing so, coming from where I do, I would still like to be able to be blunt and say I continue to have concerns. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Michéal Martin, and many others put a significant amount of time into the efforts being made in the North and were available at the crucial time. Many have invested a significant amount of time in the...

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: We are in north Donegal.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: At least another five years.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: It only became an issue recently but it has been ongoing for generations.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: Is that the people's republic?

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: On the mathematics argument, I would agree with Senator Ormonde that sometimes the brightest people are not necessarily the best teachers because sometimes they are a step ahead and cannot bring themselves down to the level of understanding that someone does not just get how to do something. As a teacher myself, that is no denigration of the teaching profession either. I also concur with...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: That is unparliamentary language.