Results 1,781-1,800 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Last week we had a very timely and lively debate in the House on special needs. At that time the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, in a scripted speech accused me of making a political football of children with special needs. Prior to that, last spring in Leinster House he said he would go public on me if I said that all children with special needs could not be...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Is this normal and appropriate behaviour from a senior Minister towards a Member of this House? I feel it is intimidation.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I feel he is trying to silence me on the issue of special needs.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Why is the Minister trying to silence me on the issue of special needs?

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am raising this issue for legitimate reasons.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am giving you notice, a Chathaoirligh, that I am lodging a formal complaint to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges——

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: ——about the Minister's behaviour towards me on this most important issue where children's educational rights are being infringed by defective Government decisions and a policy that is to the detriment of children with special needs.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I would like to see continued debate until we see the rights of children with special needs upheld and the concerns of their parents and teachers addressed.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thought about what I would say on the issue of job creation and thought I would give a practical example because everybody has given an overview of the situation and mentioned the almost 450,000 people who are out of work, of whom more than 100,000 are under 25 years of age. This time last year people came to my office who were very stressed as a result of losing their jobs, in particular...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I apologise. I am aware the Minister of State is not listening.

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: With respect, I ask for the Leader's attention.

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am speaking in the House at the moment. I ask, if I may, for the Minister of State's attention while I conclude. It would be well worth the Government's while to look to local groups and chambers of commerce to see how they facilitate helpful initiatives like this in their communities. I could say much about the need for enterprise——

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: ——and education to be linked to build on the creativity of our young people. I shall leave that for another day. Global responses are needed. I strongly encourage the Minister of State to look at the measures for job creation in Oranmore.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Today is world book day, which puts a welcome focus on the arts and literacy, which are linked. As many Senators said, the arts generate a good spirit in our communities and they are a source of cultural tourism and creative industries. They should be supported, as Senator Bradford said, at Government level in the upcoming reshuffle. I would like an urgent debate on literacy, given 30% of...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is incredible indictment of the Department of Education and Science that the Minister has not read the OECD's reports.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his time. I am seeking a debate.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2010)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I seek a debate on mathematics and on the quality of our education system.