Results 2,361-2,380 of 3,476 for speaker:Charlie O'Connor

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 155: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the financial and other support she has given to the community childcare sector; her plans to continue that support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6987/07]

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 156: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the achievements of the equal opportunities childcare programme under the National Development Plan 2000 to 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6988/07]

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress to date of the childcare strategy launched in Budget 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6989/07]

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I will knock on every door in Tallaght, Brittas, Bohernabreena, Firhouse, Templeogue and Greenhills to bring that message to the electorate. As is my custom, I will talk to and listen to people every day at my work and at the eight clinics I hold every week, as well as at the other activities in which I engage. I will listen to people's concerns, including those pertaining to health. While...

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Is Deputy English watching my time?

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I am impressed such a prominent member of the Opposition and such a favoured comrade should stay to hear me speak. I might do a press release on it. Much criticism has been made of the health services. I am not afraid to state from the Government benches that people should be entitled to services. I come from an old Dublin which had hospitals everywhere. I lived within sight of Mercer's...

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Perhaps all we need to deliver hospital services is a number of big hospitals. However, they should be safe environments. People are entitled to make political points. Opposition colleagues are entitled to be critical. This Bill and others introduced by the Minister try to get the job done. I attended a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children a few weeks ago....

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: At that meeting no less than the SDLP spokesperson from Northern Ireland stated she was very impressed by what she sees of the work of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I do not ask the Deputy to believe it, I am only stating what the lady said. The Minister is a former colleague of mine. She represented my constituency very well. I was happy she decided to go to...

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I would have been happy to share my time with Deputy English because he was speaking well. I had presumed he was a small child when his party was last in office.

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I do not want to upset him further when I say a visitor to my packed clinic in Tallaght last Saturday had an address in Navan. The person apparently heard I was good, so had come to see me.

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Funnily, that was not the case. Deputy English mentioned Navan several times, so I hope I will be permitted to make at least one mention of Tallaght.

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: The Health Bill 2006 is a central element of the health service reform programme. The Bill provides for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services with specific statutory functions. I always welcome the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and I look forward to seeing him in Tallaght tomorrow,...

Health Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I believe someone suggested all Government initiatives should be responded to by claiming they are related to the election. Regardless of whether it is good or bad news, it must pertain to the election. However, the election has not been called yet and Members must remain focused. I am not looking for a job as I already have one, which I wish to complete. Thereafter I will go before the...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important debate. It is traditional on these occasions to compliment the mover of the Bill and I do so sincerely. If Deputy Howlin does not mind, I will compliment him on his efforts in this regard. I often made the point that it is always good to see people in the Visitors Gallery and I am pleased so many are here tonight. It...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: The then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, effectively moved the equality agenda forward by presenting to the House the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 which put Ireland to the forefront in protecting individuals, including gay people, from discrimination. We have delivered and will do so again. It is because of this track record...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: I have supported the track record of Fianna Fáil in improving the status of gay people. Gay and lesbian people are members of our families. They are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. They are our neighbours, constituents and friends. It is not acceptable for them to be treated differently or unfairly. The Government is committed to addressing their needs in a fair...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: There is a major caring crisis facing us. People are having fewer children, while adults have less time for caring duties, both child care and elder care. The Government responds positively to these challenges. A society that encourages more committed family units is a better one. Family units have moved beyond the traditional and reflect modern life. This includes same-sex family units....

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: Children have been educated in same sex institutions throughout the history of the State. Many single parents raise their children in loving homes and we should not shy away from providing the children of gay parents the security of stable and loving family relationships. It is for that reason and the reason the Government has proposed the first ever children's rights amendment to the...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: We have received good advice and consulted widely on the issue. We are serious about it. The amendment allows us to build on the work of various committees and implement their recommendations in the best interests of same-sex couples. In the interests of equality, to which this party has always been committed, we should use the opportunity the amendment and debate give us to commit to...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Charlie O'Connor: We can be trusted to deliver on this most important and urgent issue of civil and human rights. Fianna Fáil wants to treat all our citizens equally, as it is the republican party. I am impressed by the consultations and preparations undertaken by the Government during this Dáil. We will get it right for same-sex couples and soon. The issue should not be rushed at the last minute before a...