Results 2,581-2,600 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: No, I am not.

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Will the Minister indicate how we might avoid a situation where there could be a need to establish another redress board 20 years from now as a result of the fact that sufficient Garda vetting is not being carried out?

Seanad: Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I add my words of thanks to the Minister. This is a job well done to have got the Bill through before the summer recess. It is useful that the Minister showed such empathy for the plight of and openness towards those victims for whom not everything has been solved at this point. I add a word of thanks on behalf of Senator Jim D'Arcy who took the Bill yesterday and wish the Minister a...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish to mention something positive that perhaps is not known. This year Ashoka's Change Nation came to Ireland. It involved 50 innovators bringing solutions we need to help our country. One of them is Dr. Sanjeev Arora, a consultant in New Mexico. He found the greatest problem facing his people was waiting lists, such as we have here. People were waiting up to eight months to see him...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Cathaoirleach knows I have not spoken this week and I am trying to say everything I want to raise.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Will the Leader ask the Minister to attend the House early in the autumn because we will be facing into a budget and people will be worried about certainty as they approach a new year with regard to their disposable income and what they can rely on receiving if they are out of work? The Minister must address the issue of sick pay. I completely disagree with her that the employer should pay.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We rely on employers to produce growth in the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The poor baby.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I agree completely.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That was his job.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: He has not been idle.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We need some balance here.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: He never promised.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Promises were not made.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister to the House. He has been lauded for his enthusiasm and clarity, to which I would add my praise for his commitment, particularly his commitment to reform. I hope he continues to listen and take on board what people are saying, while maintaining that drive for reform. I propose to focus in my contribution on the issues of access to one's personal pension, retirement...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is the place for a debate on these questions. There are other people on the exemptions list, including the Ombudsman and Revenue appeals commissioners and the rationale behind this needs to be examined. After all, we are introducing tighter pension rules to the public service generally and, as far as possible, we should lead by example. Obviously, what I am saying would be against my...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In general, I agree with many of the essential reforms. I ask the Minister to answer a number of specific questions. Public service workers - be they nurses, doctors or whatever - in pre-2004 pension schemes were allowed to retire at 60 but after 2004, if they went into a different pension scheme, the retirement age was 65. What age applies there? What is the State's commitment to public...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Changes to TDs' and Ministers' pensions should take effect from now. This is an issue that is really annoying the public and I agree with them that it is not right. A review of the Croke Park agreement is imminent and the issue of increments has been raised in that context. In the midst of a recession I, along with others such as CORI, believe it is immoral that increments are awarded to...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am simply drawing the Minister's attention to this point because he is on the economic management council and it is very important that the responsibility is shared between the employee and the employer. Perhaps this is a matter for another day. Finally, it is important that we examine, within the confines of the Constitution, how we can help people to access their personal pension funds....

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They should be able to access a portion of it, at least.