Results 121-140 of 375 for speaker:Margaret Cox

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Second Stage. (11 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: I am sorry.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (11 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: Tomorrow at 10.30 a.m.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: Do I understand that other Senators who wish to speak on the amendment cannot do so?

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: I accept the Senator's point, but if the change resulted in the wording, "A man who was not married to the mother of the child at the date of his or her birth," this would give rights or exemptions to any man. There is no presumption of relationship if the term is changed from "the father" to "a man". While I accept what the Senator is trying to achieve, this amendment does not achieve it.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: I thank the Minister and her officials for the work and effort in communication in which they engaged with all those involved with the legislation. As we said on Second Stage, this is important legislation reforming some laws that date back hundreds of years. Unfortunately, because of a misunderstanding at the time, certain things were alluded to in regard to the amendment which the...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: Given that it was raised in the context of the Bill, it is appropriate for me to comment. I am only responding to the comments made during Report Stage.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003 [Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (24 Feb 2004)

Margaret Cox: I accept the advice of the Chair. It has been an interesting debate, particularly on Second and Committee Stages, which dealt with societal issues of parental responsibility, especially that of fathers, whether they are men, Adams or whoever. I hope this discussion will continue and we will see a change in the culture surrounding parenthood, to which I look forward.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: I listened with interest to the words, "discriminated", "forgotten people" and "pre-election binge". The empty rhetoric that comes on occasions from the other side of the House is amusing.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: There is a package of €11.26 billion for 2004 going into social welfare.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: That expenditure of €11.26 billion by the Department of Social and Family Affairs could in any way be put in a context of discrimination, forgotten people or a pre-election binge is absolutely ridiculous——

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: I look forward to dealing with that issue. With respect to some of the issues raised by the Senator, I intend to speak about child benefit later in the debate. In 1996 when the Opposition was in Government, the child benefit increase in that year was £2 on £36.82, which is an increase of €2.54. Unfortunately, I do not have my calculator with me but that amount is a lot less than five or...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: ——because this was the Government that three years ago brought in the single biggest increase ever in child benefit, a measure of which I am particularly proud. If the Opposition wants an argument, it should argue about other issues.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: We should not argue about issues like child benefit.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: This Minister has brought before the House a Bill that deals with the single biggest expenditure on social welfare packages since 1997. Child poverty is being addressed by this Government not just by means of the child benefit payment. The Government is examining a range of measures directed at child poverty. There are issues such as uniform allowance and direct payment for provision of food...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: We must create an economy that can sustain our commitment to looking after the less well-off, the poor, those with a disability and those on their own. The Minister has increased the carer's respite grant to €835. That grant is one of the most welcome cheques in any household in a year. It is not just a grant that goes directly to the carers of older people, but to the parents of children...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: It is Senator Terry, and not Senator Cummins, who should take credit for any change in that area.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: The social welfare system has seen an improvement of services and reform of the system. The Department is taking a pro-active role on how to make its information widely available. It contacts people in receipt of benefits to ensure they are receiving the correct benefit or if it is possible to receive a different benefit or allowance that would suit them better. They are invited in to discuss...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: It is not fair to say we will make this change and that it is justified to save €6 million. It is not justified. The Minister is meeting with the widows' association. It is a challenge for us on this side to speak to those involved in this decision to see what can be done to have it reversed. I intend to do my utmost to have that change brought about——

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: ——and the anomalies in the system which mean that those in receipt of social welfare, where they are discriminated against by virtue of the fact that their husband or wife has died, cannot access additional payments. It is important to look at it. I appeal to the Minister to have another look it as I am aware she promised to evaluate the system. Perhaps before Committee Stage we will be...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: There are fewer homeless actually. The Senator should check his facts.