Results 1-20 of 2,211 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Mary Butler

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Mary Butler: As this is my first opportunity to speak in the Dáil since the general election, I would like to thank all those who voted for me in Waterford. It is a privilege and an honour to have their support and to represent them in this House. Contrary to what one previous speaker said, as a woman I do not class myself as a second-class citizen. I also take this opportunity to congratulate the...

Health Services: Statements (20 Apr 2016)

Mary Butler: I thank the Acting Chair for his indulgence. I am a member of the housing committee, so I am learning to run from a committee meeting to the Dáil. Fianna Fáil has consistently argued for the restoration of the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This would reduce waiting lists and waiting times by referring public patients for treatment in private or public hospitals here, in the...

Crime: Statements (5 May 2016)

Mary Butler: I also welcome this opportunity to speak about the major issue of crime. Crime is a major issue that comes up constantly, as I meet people on a regular basis. It does not just involve the volume of recorded offences but the number of offences that go unrecorded and unreported. The fear of crime is very high in communities, particularly in more rural communities. There is a real sense that...

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (6 May 2016)

Mary Butler: We are not sniping.

Mental Health: Statements (Resumed) (1 Jun 2016)

Mary Butler: I congratulate the Ministers of State, Deputies Helen McEntee and Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, on their appointments. Today, I was appointed the Fianna Fáil party spokesperson on old people, public health and health reform and I look forward to working with both the Ministers of State. Every year, thousands of students start a new chapter in their lives when they move to third level...

Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (5 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: Bringing clarity to working hours is essential to creating decent jobs. Workers in precarious zero-hour contract positions face uncertainty every week in terms of the hours they are required to work, which impacts greatly on the whole family. The argument for why zero-hour contracts are bad for workers is obvious. Without a set number of guaranteed working hours, many workers will struggle...

Report of the Committee on Housing and Homelessness: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: The Oireachtas Committee on Housing and Homelessness met for the first time on 20 April. This cross-party committee commenced its deliberations immediately under the chairmanship of Deputy John Curran. I congratulate him on his fairness, impartiality and good humour. We tested him at times. We commenced our deliberations immediately on the shortage of housing supply and the related...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (13 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: In the programme for Government there is a focus on a number of key programmes. One of these is the extension of BreastCheck to all women aged between 65 and 69 years. As we all know, early intervention is essential in a successful outcome. What is the timeframe for this extension and when can we expect the roll-out?

Questions on Proposed Legislation (13 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: It was in the programme for Government. It is a key focus. The Government has a focus on a number of key programmes. Page 56 of the document refers to the extension of BreastCheck to all women aged between 65 and 69 years.

Au Pair Placement Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: This Bill is required to bring legal clarity to the situation of au pair exchanges in Ireland. As has been stated here today, in March 2016, the Workplace Relations Commission made a ruling on au pair payments which, in my opinion, undermines the tradition of au pair arrangements in Ireland. Rather than being considered as an educational or cultural exchange, the WRC ruled that the host-au...

Au Pair Placement Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: On page 4, section 2(c) clearly states that this must "involve no more than 30 hours per week, or 7 hours per day". So it is no more than 30 hours per week.

Au Pair Placement Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: I am not saying there has not been exploitation in this area in the past; of course there has been. However, this is the reason legislation is required in this area. This Bill provides for superior protections for au pairs and host families than are currently in place. By clearly defining what is and what is not an au pair exchange, the Bill also provides far greater protections for...

Housing Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: Deputy Barry Cowen was here last night.

Housing Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: And Mary Butler.

Housing Strategy: Statements (Resumed) (20 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: After being a member of the housing and homelessness committee, I awaited the Minister's plan with much hope. As has been well documented in the House, this is not just a crisis for the Minister and his Department to deal with; it is a real-life emergency. As a member of that committee, I was disappointed that more of our proposals were not taken on board. However, I compliment the...

Topical Issue Debate: Autism Support Services (21 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: Autism has been in the news frequently. Last week, a report from the National Council for Special Education stated one in every 65 schoolchildren in the State has a diagnosis of autism, a figure that is much higher than the one in 100 estimate just three years ago. Despite that, it seems to be increasingly difficult for some children to get the services they need. That has certainly been...

Topical Issue Debate: Autism Support Services (21 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: The Minister of State said that the autism spectrum disorder specialists will be assigned to the children's disability network teams and they will work from within the teams. I am sure he is well aware that children with ASD have considerable difficulty with change. They take a long time to get know people, places and routines. Anything that upsets that makes the challenge they face even...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Procedures (21 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: That was unfair.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Procedures (21 Jul 2016)

Mary Butler: The Minister of State made it personal; there was no need.

Government Appeal of European Commission Decision on State Aid to Apple: Motion (7 Sep 2016)

Mary Butler: Fianna Fáil supports the Government's motion to appeal the European Commission's decision that Ireland provided unlawful state aid to Apple. We believe an appeal is essential. We are a small country with a small population on the edge of Europe. Providing a competitive, consistent and certain tax policy is a key feature of Ireland's attractiveness as a leading location for foreign...