Results 2,961-2,980 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code (23 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the sale of an alternative home before the age of 66 is not explored for equity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24890/15]

Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I welcome the provisions in this Bill which provide for the introduction of a vacant site levy and reform of our planning legislation. These provisions are positive steps in the right direction for Ireland's construction and planning sectors. As a Deputy for the urban constituency of Dún Laoghaire, I am acutely aware of the great housing need. The introduction of a vacant site levy is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Affordable High-Quality Child Care: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the expert witnesses for their attendance. Members have heard really good submissions from them. I really liked the answers given in the last section because they really got into the meat of the issue. I have a question for Ms Lacey-Crowe and Ms Bradley who has touched on the issue. As an educationist, I am really interested in how they have their staff trained in the picture...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Affordable High-Quality Child Care: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Very well. While the comparison is being made with primary schools, they were set up in 1831 and I can tell the delegates that there are still problems in primary school education. Three years ago, on foot of the results from PISA, it was a huge wake-up call. We are at a watershed, in that early childhood provision is under consideration. It was examined previously in the middle of the...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: There are a group of young people in the Visitors Gallery today whom, I would wager, know more about water conservation than do many Deputies in this Chamber. They know that water is not a free commodity and that it is a finite resource. They also understand that someone has to pay. I want to speak about what our young people are interested in, including the 104,000 new jobs created since...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Instead, we are speaking about the old chestnut which the Opposition loves to wheel out, namely, Irish Water.

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Can we start being real in this Chamber? Can we engage in real politics and try to find real solutions that will help people create more jobs and assist our SMEs? Irish Water is already subject to the freedom of information legislation. What Deputy Mattie McGrath believes is not covered is unclear. In regard to the provision requiring that Irish Water be a fully publicly-owned entity...

Water Services (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In regard to the establishment of an independent ombudsman, the Commission for Energy Regulation has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers in this area, as it does in respect of the electricity and gas companies, about which there is no concern in regard to privatisation. The Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, requires Irish Water to produce a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Affordable High-Quality Child Care: Discussion (11 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The child care professionals who are present this morning are expert witnesses and they have made very good submissions. I will not play to the gallery. Ms Grogan Ryan was not able to go through her very comprehensive submission. I wish it could all be put on record. I have been involved in education for 31 years. I agree with Senator van Turnhout. One of the reasons pay is so poor is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Health Policy (11 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 165. To ask the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated for the provision of defibrillators on foot of the publication of Health Technology Assessment of Public Access Defibrillation by the Health Information and Quality Authority on 1 December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22808/15]

Central Bank (Mortgage Interest Rates) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (10 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Last month I stood here during Private Members' Business urging the Minister for Finance to meet with and put real pressure on the banks. I said, "I would urge you to make it clear to them that as the banks stabilise and get lower interests rates from Europe, they must pass this on to the financially strapped mortgage holders across the country." Dún Laoghaire has some of the highest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (9 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 527. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on changes to be made in the Garda National Immigration Bureau, to end long queues outside its office on Burgh Quay in Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21258/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (9 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 908. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next open competition for the post of First Secretary will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22195/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (9 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 909. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next open competition for the post of Third Secretary will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22196/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbours and Piers (9 Jun 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 1159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21412/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Business of Joint Committee (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Apologies have been received from Deputies Jerry Buttimer and Ciara Conway. I remind members to switch off their mobile phones. Is it agreed that we go into private session to discuss some housekeeping matters? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I remind members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off. This is important as they cause serious problems for broadcasting, editorial and sound staff. The purpose of this morning's meeting is to formally welcome Dr. Niall Muldoon, who is the new Ombudsman for Children, and enable him to meet the Joint Committee on Health and Children. I welcome Dr. Muldoon's colleagues, Ms Deirdre...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I beg your pardon, Dr. Muldoon. I am new at this job. I need to remind the witnesses of the position in respect of privilege. I advise them that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Dr. Muldoon for his opening statement. I will now take questions from members, beginning with Deputy Robert Troy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Ombudsman for Children: Presentation (28 May 2015)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank Deputy Troy and call Deputy McLellan.