Results 241-260 of 1,597 for speaker:Cecilia Keaveney

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: It only became an issue recently but it has been ongoing for generations.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: Is that the people's republic?

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: We are in north Donegal.

Seanad: Power Sharing Agreement in Northern Ireland: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I second the motion. However, in doing so, coming from where I do, I would still like to be able to be blunt and say I continue to have concerns. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Michéal Martin, and many others put a significant amount of time into the efforts being made in the North and were available at the crucial time. Many have invested a significant amount of time in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I recognise that today the Minister for Education and Science has allocated €579 million for the school buildings programme. I welcome, in particular, the fact that in my own area three schools in Letterkenny will benefit. Sometimes we hammer someone for what is not taking place, but we must recognise the great support this €579 million will provide for the construction industry. While...

Seanad: School Curriculum (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue. It has been brought to my attention that other parts of the world have self-awareness programmes for young people, particularly in respect of cancer. I appreciate that the Minister of State of the Department of Education and Science is present in the Chamber. Some might say the relevant Department is the Department of Health...

Seanad: School Curriculum (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Minister of State for informing me that a programme is in place. Resources such as lesson plans, worksheets, learning activities, fact sheets, CDs, DVDs and on-line resources, including podcasts, are not as effective as the method of touch and feel. If we are telling people they should use procedures for self-examination to look for a lump or bump, it would be much easier to...

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: That is the same level of increase as last year.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I got plenty of offers.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: That is the story of my life.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I went on to complete seven years in university.

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: As Seanad Fianna Fáil spokesperson on education I am very glad to speak on this most important issue about college places and CAO applications. This is a very difficult time every year for students who are facing the leaving certificate and must decide on a choice of course and college. I am anxious that the process of decision-making is made as easy as possible. To that end, I have been...

Seanad: CAO Applications and College Places: Statements (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: Perhaps that is a subject for another day. We need to adapt the secondary education system. We need to improve the links between the pre-primary, primary and post-primary sectors. That might make the education system sound like a factory farm but being aware of the bigger picture should not be a restraint or constraint. We need to acknowledge that our economy needs employers and...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: This is the first day of the new European Commission. I welcome the appointment of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to the position of Commissioner. I was only in the Dáil two days after my election when I got a four page foolscap handwritten letter from her. I wish I had sent it on to George Lee when he got elected because it acknowledged that "the Dáil can be a lonely place unless one thinks...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: Senator Harris is such an eloquent speaker and I agree with all he said.

Seanad: Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I welcome the Minister. I am not an expert on bio-fuels but a group of us on the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body examined energy issues and the opportunities that are there for Ireland which is so dependent on new ideas for enterprise and employment. There is great potential to retain and create jobs in the agriculture and energy industries through the green agenda. Toyota is having...

Seanad: Music in the Classroom (4 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this Adjournment matter and the Minister of State for coming to address it. Given his background, he might recognise the value of music in the classroom. Unfortunately, the reality is that many do not realise the music in the classroom programme has more than the capacity to teach them to play an instrument leading to a particular...

Seanad: Music in the Classroom (4 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive reply. However, it ignored the actual question, which asked for an appraisal of a particular school because funding is always geared and prioritised according to facts. If a formal appraisal were done of a real project, with real criteria and goals, we might then create a very strong case that this type of approach is better than another....

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I am scared to state that I will never have a wife either. Perhaps I should be politically correct and use the term "spouse" in that regard. On a serious note, the negotiations on the devolution of policing and justice powers and the resolution of all other outstanding issues in Northern Ireland have entered their tenth day. The people of the island of Ireland want these negotiations to...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Cecilia Keaveney: I wish to bring to the attention of the House that a number of Senators visited the Council of Europe last week. A number of posts were filled there, including vice-presidencies and presidencies of all kinds. Is there a capacity for those of us who attend the Council of Europe to provide feedback to the House on the work we do? I raise this matter on the basis that I am now president of...