Results 201-220 of 375 for speaker:Margaret Cox

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Oct 2004)

Margaret Cox: I call on the Leader to organise a debate on the disability issue. I am aware we will soon debate the Disability Bill but my concerns relate to speech therapists being attached to schools. I am referring to moving speech therapy from the Department of Health and Children in cases where it relates to education, thereby providing that schools which bring children with special needs into an...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Margaret Cox: I ask the Leader to invite the new Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to the House for a debate on the BreastCheck programme. Her predecessor, Deputy Martin, recently allocated €20 million for the BreastCheck programme in the west and north west. However, the implementation of the programme will take at least two more years and, in the interim, more than 200 women in that area...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Margaret Cox: It is not acceptable in a democracy such as ours that we should be asked to stand like cattle in front of an American immigration agent and have our photographs and fingerprints taken when we have done nothing wrong. It is not good enough if the Government does not say that to Mr. Bush and the United States. It is not fair and I should not be asked to do it if I am travelling to the US. I...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: I thank Senator Walsh for sharing his time. I travel from Galway to Dublin weekly and I choose to fly rather than drive. Every week, therefore, I see the problems Dublin Airport faces, the congestion and the queuing. People queue like cattle. I have not been to many marts but I can visualise cattle moving up and down between barriers on the way to the ring. People move up and down between...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: I agree with the points made by Senator Burke. This was discussed on Second Stage. It is vitally important that the whole weight of the services being provided by the State move into action as soon as a child is diagnosed with a special need. Disabilities legislation is the most appropriate place to provide for this type of support and counselling. I hope the input of the Departments of...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: This is one of the great days in the life of a Legislature which passes ground-breaking legislation. We may be sorry that this has been slow in coming but it is a huge step forward in addressing the education of children with special needs. I speak in recognition of the €3.2 billion being spent on disability per year. The Bill provides a framework of rights for children with special needs...

Seanad: Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: I commend the Minister of State on a job well done. I recognise that he listened carefully to all the arguments that were made on Second, Committee and Report Stages. The Minister of State has been diligent in tabling amendments which have only served to strengthen the Bill. However, there is one glaring omission from the Bill, which I raised on Second and Committee Stages. Women involved in...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: When Senator Ulick Burke tabled this amendment on Committee Stage, I said I did not agree with the piling on of additional layers to deal with issues. I am still of the same opinion. As the Minister said when dealing with the amendment on Committee Stage, the council will have quite detailed powers to deal with the necessary co-ordination, which I accept. However, the real challenge involves...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: The Minister of State and his officials will be aware that on Second Stage I spoke at length on the issue of the definition of a child being a person of not more than 18 years of age and the difficulty of children who, because of their special needs and disability, start school at a later age than other school going children. They sometimes start school at six and seven years of age instead...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: I am happy with the Minister of State's comments but my difficulty remains. By defining a child as someone under the age of 18, there will be a problem. Section 15 provides for a review of the education plans of children within 12 months of them reaching 18 years. They may attend school and have an education plan reviewed and evaluated that year but, in some cases, a child may not attend...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: If children are not disadvantaged by defining a "child" as someone aged under 18 years of age and they will be taken care of one way or the other, why not make the change?

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: Why not provide a statutory right that is greater than the constitutional right? I acknowledge what the Minister is trying to achieve in the legislation but what is precluding him from making a change? I do not expect a reply this evening but that is the key question. If the child is still protected under legislation, there is no reason to fail to make the change and introduce a Government...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (6 Jul 2004)

Margaret Cox: I agree with all the sentiments expressed. Over the years, various agencies have been created but they have not always improved efficiency. The issue is whether the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children do their jobs properly. The Minister has introduced some good reforms and has made transparent the systems within the Department of Education and Science catering for...

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (23 Jun 2004)

Margaret Cox: It gives me great pleasure to contribute to the debate on autism. It is indicative of the importance given to this matter by people at all levels that we are debating it now, following this morning's debate on the special educational needs legislation. I am sure the Minister of State has noted with interest the agreement that has emerged between Members who have spoken during this debate and...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Second Stage. (23 Jun 2004)

Margaret Cox: I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. I wish to focus on one aspect of the legislation. While I recognise great strides have made in the area of disability over the past ten years, the good work cannot be maintained without this legislation and much more needs to be done. The number of resource teachers has increased from 104 to 2,300 while the number of special needs assistants...

Seanad: Financial Services Industry: Statements. (19 May 2004)

Margaret Cox: I am glad to have an opportunity to speak about financial regulation. In recent years, this House has had many debates on the banking sector, including bank charges and the way in which banks do business generally. The largest financial institutions in the State operate a near-monopoly position whereby they all seem to offer the same services at the same cost. It is unfortunate that there...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: The Minister takes the correct position on the amendment because it will not solve the kernel of the issue. At their meeting yesterday, the Minister gave a commitment to the widows' association to look at the position. She went into the meeting with an open mind and has looked at all the issues that have been identified, including baseline payments and providing more information to people to...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: —— is that only one payment can be made to an individual. That principle is not correct. I have had this argument since I became a Member in 1997. We cannot have a blanket rule such as that, especially given that because of certain and family circumstances, people have different needs. It is not a numbers game, but amendments Nos. 1 and 4 are not the solution to the problem. I accept the...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: I accept the amendment will not solve it here today.

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2004: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Margaret Cox: The issue has not gone away and we need to look at it in the context of what is just and equitable for all our people.