Results 3,361-3,380 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: ——not defended us against the comments of the French President, Mr. Sarkozy, to the effect that Ireland should not benefit from EU aid while retaining a low corporation tax rate? In Galway it accounts for the creation of 12,000 jobs in multinational companies. This shows how weak a negotiator the Government is. Where is its robust, definitive response? Let France, President Sarkozy...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We are talking about——

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: ——a key member state of the European Union. It goes to prove Ireland's clout, post the bailout, is as diminished in the European Union as the public finances. There is only one way to rebuild our reputation and that is through the holding of a general election.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I say to Members on the Government side: for God's sake, go. Their time is up. That is what they should tell the Taoiseach today.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: At the death of the country.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Senator Walsh is not meeting people on the doorstep.

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Do we have to listen to this rubbish?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister. I am pleased that we finally have the Student Support Bill in the Seanad. The Minister will be aware that it was first published in February 2008. I realise the Minister was not in the Department at that point. However, it is fair to say that next month the Bill will be three years old. As the Minister pointed out, the main aim of the Bill is to make the student...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Certainly, I will facilitate it on behalf of Fine Gael. It is important that the Minister provides such an assurance. The Minister stated she plans to introduce a single awarding authority by September 2012 or 2013. I had hoped this would take place by September 2011. Is that possible? What are the hold-ups? Originally, when the Bill was published in 2008 it was intended that the...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That will be a beneficial improvement. These delays have caused much stress to students and have a knock-on effect on their education and outcomes. How many times has the Joint Committee on Education and Skills requested the heads of third level institutions not to prevent students from sitting examinations or using library facilities because their grant had not come through to pay their...

Seanad: Student Support Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That is good. While I welcome this improvement, will the Minister see if she can introduce it for the next academic year? The regulations for the schemes will govern the classes of grants, the categories of applicants, which may include dependent, independent and mature student criteria. Is there a possibility of a grant category for trainee teachers and health care professionals who incur...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome everyone back to the House for the new session. It would be useful if the Taoiseach named the date on which the general election will be held. I understand there is a rumour doing the rounds today to the effect that Fianna Fáil is seeking a June election.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It would be of assistance if clarification were provided in respect of the matter to which I refer.

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: During the Christmas period, everyone suffered as a result of the disastrous damage done to the domestic water supply in the immediate aftermath of the cold weather. We do not know whether there will be a repeat of the water shortages experienced in recent weeks in the near future on foot of further bad weather. It is a shame that half of our treated water is being allowed simply to leak...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: -----on water metering. Will the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government indicate the likely cost of putting in place a fully functioning water supply system? Water is a most precious resource and should not be allowed to leak into the ground. The second matter to which I wish to refer relates to CIE. To be fair, Senator Ross has raised this issue on many occasions. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Why is there not full disclosure? Is this merely a repeat of the Cowen-Anglo Irish Bank story? Let us have the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It appears that CIE is hiding a number of shady practices and that it is also placing its employees' jobs at risk. I am seeking an answer in respect of this matter and I request that the Minister for Transport rather than the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: -----graphic design courses. That is ridiculous in a country with a population of 4 million. We have three colleges currently delivering architecture. Why is this Government not pushing for the centre of excellence model? The current model may appear to be convenient for families and students but it is not sustainable in terms of money and also in terms of quality. Ultimately, it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Jan 2011)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The National University of Ireland, Galway is mission driven and aspires towards excellence in its core areas. That same model is what should be insisted upon by any Minister for Education and Skills who wants to put quality first. I ask the Leader for a debate on the Hunt report, a written reply on the cost of the water supply system and a written reply from the Minister for Transport on...