Results 1-20 of 5,521 for speaker:Heather Humphreys in 'Dáil debates'

Company Takeovers (19 Apr 2011)

Heather Humphreys: It is unfortunate that an issue such as this brings me to my feet for the first time in the House. I will address the issue of my election by the people of counties Cavan and Monaghan and pay tribute to my predecessor, the former Deputy Seymour Crawford, at a later stage. I will use the limited time afforded to me this evening to highlight the importance of protecting jobs at Quinn Direct...

Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) (No.2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (29 Jun 2011)

Heather Humphreys: On the occasion of my maiden speech, I wish to put on record not just formally but sincerely that I am deeply conscious of the honour that has been bestowed on me by the people of Cavan and Monaghan. I thank my family and all the people who helped me on a voluntary basis during my election campaign but, most of all, I thank the people who voted for me. I am especially conscious of the trust...

European Financial Stability Facility and Euro Area Loan Facility (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Sep 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill, which I support. People must remember that we are travelling a long and difficult road to recovery. The banks lent recklessly and the previous Government squandered taxpayers' hard-earned money and we are now paying the price. The medicine is very unpalatable and bitter and, unfortunately, there is no sugar in the cupboard...

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (4 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I attended a public meeting in Cavan town last night regarding the possible closure of Dún Uí Néill Barracks. Approximately 500 people were in attendance, which provides an insight into the significant concerns in Cavan town and its environs about the future of the barracks. As someone who has worked in the Cavan area for many years, I fully acknowledge the substantial contribution the...

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (4 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: The troops based at Dún Uí Néill barracks play a vital role for the local community in this and other respects. Essentially, they are the last port of call in times of crisis. Some 120 troops and a number of civilian workers are based at the barracks. If the barracks were to close, it would result in a major loss to the local economy. It has been pointed out that the loss of trade to...

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (4 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: That is okay. I have outlined many of the concerns that have been raised with me and the other Deputies for the area. I strongly believe I would be doing a disservice to the constituents I serve if I were to fail to express their views here. As a Government Deputy, I would like to place on the record that I am extremely disappointed about the possible closure of Dún Uí Néill barracks....

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (4 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I do not recall many Fianna Fáil Deputies seeking to condemn the decision of the former Minister in that respect.

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (4 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: That is okay.

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (4 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I understand that cost savings must be found. No Government Department is exempt from the imposition of cost-cutting measures. The Department of Defence is no different. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, has an unenviable task in seeking to do his utmost to retain the strength of the Defence Forces at its current level with limited resources at his disposal. I ask him to take account of the...

Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Oct 2011)

Heather Humphreys: Go raibh maith agat a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011. At this stage we are all aware of the failures to apply appropriate regulation to our financial institutions in the past. This was one of the key reasons why we now find ourselves in our current economic difficulties. There have been numerous reports...

Competition (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this. I commend the Minister on bringing it forward. Any Bill which helps to improve competition levels is to be welcomed and in that respect this Bill represents good news for consumers and for those seeking to start up small businesses. The main objective of this Bill is to strengthen competition law enforcement and also to help with the clampdown on...

Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. Its objective is to remove restrictions on general practitioners entering the medical card market. Given that there are approximately 1.7 million medical card holders in Ireland, any changes to the current system will have a broad-ranging impact. The agreement with the EU and the IMF provides for legislative changes to remove...

Report by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears: Statements (Resumed) (22 Nov 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the findings of the Keane report. Mortgage arrears are a serious matter and are affecting people across the country on a daily basis. According to statistics from the Central Bank, around 45,000 households are in arrears for more than 90 days, of which about 32,000 are in arrears for more than 180 days. Those figures give an insight...

Farm Safety (14 Dec 2011)

Heather Humphreys: Question 6: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the initiatives he has undertaken to improve farm safety awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38955/11]

Farm Safety (14 Dec 2011)

Heather Humphreys: This is a very important issue and I commend the Minister on his work and for taking a proactive stance to ensure that awareness of farm safety is raised. I also compliment the Health and Safety Authority which is rolling out its new safety campaign in an effort to reduce the high number of farm deaths in Ireland. Its press release is very effective in that it shows a farmer who has lost...

Farm Safety (14 Dec 2011)

Heather Humphreys: Has the Minister looked at how other countries have addressed this? As somebody who lives on a farm, I am fully aware that the farm work continues throughout the festive season. Unlike the rest of us farmers do not get a day off. They are often rushing and may take shortcuts to finish their work early to join the festivities with their families. I would like to impress upon them the need...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Dec 2011)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. It is a significant Bill in that it will have an effect on almost every homeowner in the country. The introduction of a property tax in some form is something that has been mooted for quite some time. At present, Ireland is one of the few countries that does not have a property tax. In that respect, I believe that the introduction of this...

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Second Stage (11 Jan 2012)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to share my time with Deputy Jerry Buttimer. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011 and commend the Minister for bringing it forward. It follows on from the EU directive on temporary agency work and will allow for the passage of the directive into Irish law. The Bill will allow for the equal treatment of agency workers with...

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Feb 2012)

Heather Humphreys: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill and I commend the Minister for introducing it. The Bill will give effect to a number of measures announced in the budget in December. There are welcome measures in the Bill but there are also difficult choices that must be made. However, it is clear the Government has done its utmost to protect the most vulnerable in society and to...

Symphysiotomy: Statements (15 Mar 2012)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to share time with Deputy Regina Doherty. I welcome the survivors of symphysiotomy present in the Gallery to witness an historic and momentous occasion. Today represents an emotional occasion for them, their families and their friends. The women had to endure tremendous suffering for over 40 or 50 years in many cases due to the practice of symphysiotomy. It is of great...