Results 1,561-1,580 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is real life misery.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It was real.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran. What could I possible say at this stage that will make a difference and will be heard? So much has been said. It is not all about what is being said this evening. We face a €4 billion hole that the Government will try to fill next Wednesday, 9 December. It is borrowing €500 million a week just to stay afloat but the problem as...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am genuinely concerned that this move by the unions to propose 12 days' unpaid leave for public servants is a financial exercise, a stroke of the pen that will work outside. It will work fine in theory but not in practice. I ask the House to consider the impact on children and on their classroom education which could be monumental. I disagree with my colleague, Senator O'Toole, on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I beg the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish to know from the Leader whether there has been a buy-in by principals and teachers on this issue. Unless there is agreement from front-line staff, this will not work and it is our children who will be hurt. There will be a lowering of standards. Ireland does not rank against the top countries in the OECD. We are just hanging in there about average. Other countries such as Finland...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh. I wish to raise the matter of the western rail corridor. I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on the funding for the corridor and outline the timeframe for completion of same. There is much concern in the west that the funding will be pulled in next week's budget. I hope the Minister of State will be able to inform me of...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The corridor will encourage tourism and it will put smaller towns and villages adjacent to the rail line on the map. The greatest benefit is it will be more environmentally friendly because there will be fewer cars on the road. The corridor will also result in the provision of a new rail freight service which will take heavy goods vehicles off congested roads and it will be vital for...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister of State will be welcome.

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Is no information available on the station there? I am delighted with the commitment in principle given by the Minister of State and his philosophy on the importance of rail transport, which I share. However, I am concerned about his comment that progression towards phases 2 and 3 is dependent on how well services on the Ennis to Athenry line do. We expect them to do very well. However, I...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This information was brought to my attention, which is why I am sharing it with the Minister of State. I refer also to the journey time of one hour and 55 minutes.

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for his time but would appreciate it if he pass on the information to the Minister for Transport.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I compliment Fianna Fáil backbenchers for calling it right on the ridiculous proposal of 12 days unpaid leave. It proves some people in Fianna Fáil are still in touch with reality because 12 days unpaid leave will not deliver public sector reform but will deliver chaos on the front line. The leaders of these unions and the Ministers dealing with them are not in touch with reality. The...

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State. I am appalled by the latest child abuse report, which relates to the sexual abuse of children by the clergy. How many more reports are needed before the State starts to act resolutely? The Ryan report on institutional abuse was published earlier this year. We have not yet debated the implementation plan for that report. Mandatory reporting of child abuse...

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: What is the legal status of the Murphy report as it stands? Will priests who sexually abused children and those who covered up and facilitated such abuse by not acting be convicted as a result of this report? What is the legal status of the report? I am not convinced that it has a powerful legal status. Page 44 of the report states that an archdiocese does not "have to comply with any...

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Moreover, the possibility of putting in place mandatory reporting on a legal basis also should be considered, as should a statutory footing for child protection guidelines. Certainly, the Minister of State should respond to my previous questions on the legal status of this report-----

Seanad: Report by Commission of Investigation into Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin: Statements (Resumed) (9 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: -----to ensure that convictions are achieved for those who covered up as well as for those who abused.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We have done it. It has been published.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It did - past tense.