Results 3,361-3,380 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Section 38 and Section 39 Agencies: Health Service Executive (22 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the witnesses. I, too, wish to pay tribute to the work done by the people on the ground in the section 38 and section 39 organisations. I have a number of questions. The Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform told the Committee of Public Accounts on 3 April 2014 that the HSE had 11 financial management systems. In my view, this is an extraordinary...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (15 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 740. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport now that the improvement works to the Athlone bypass have been completed,when he will issue an order incorporating this road into the M6 motorway; if he does not intend to do so, if he will explain the rationale behind not including this in the project design; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31011/14]

Free Travel Pass: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (9 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It must be difficult for Fianna Fáil to see all the attention other parties are getting at the moment but it is a step too far for it to try to get some attention by creating a row about something that is not even a problem - it is a ball of smoke. I strongly object to the fact that Fianna Fáil is trying to get attention by scaring older people by pretending there is a threat to...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Minister for his reply. The national vision strategy is a roadmap to improved eye care in Ireland and points to an integrated care system that is effective, research evidence based and, most important, has visually impaired people at the centre of the decision making. Professor Keegan, in his presentation to the committee last Thursday, made the very strong point that the...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In Ireland there are approximately 200,000 visually impaired people and approximately 14,000 who are blind. They cannot see what is happening around them, including the beautiful view and the smile on their grandchild's face. They lose independence and confidence. However, most cases of blindness are preventable and some 75% of them need not arise. That they do is a scandal and a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Fee Paying Schools (8 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the pupil-teacher ratio in private schools will be reduced to ensure equality between fee-paying and non-fee-paying schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29368/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (8 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 651. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Dun Laoghaire courthouse is being considered for closure in view of the fact that it will result in a breakdown of the administration of justice and increase financial costs for the State in the long run; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29692/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (8 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 816. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport following recent improvement works to the Athlone bypass, if this road will be incorporated into the M6 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29480/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: The Cost of Blindness in Ireland: National Vision Coalition (3 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Again, I thank those who have attended today. On behalf of my brother, the visually impaired and the blind, I cannot praise anymore the great work NCBI, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, does. When one discovers one is blind, one has no one else to turn to. I also thank Fighting Blindness, Diabetes Ireland, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and its chief executive officer,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: The Cost of Blindness in Ireland: National Vision Coalition (3 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: It used to be from seven years at senior infants.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: The Cost of Blindness in Ireland: National Vision Coalition (3 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the witnesses from the National Vision Coalition for coming before us. I welcome the four people in front of me and all the people in our audience. The coalition represents 220,000 people who have impaired vision or are blind. I have met representatives of the group on a number of occasions. I know I have told them they are too nice. They have spoken about how their...

Mental Health Services: Motion [Private Members] (1 Jul 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Last March the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children heard several compelling presentations about suicide in Ireland from Pieta House, the National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Prevention Foundation, to name a few. Three key messages which emerged were the need for greater awareness raising, communication and co-ordination among different organisations,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I have different figures.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I prefaced my remarks by stating that I want the very best for children. I spent 31 years teaching children and I want the very best for them. People very close to me have adopted children from Russia and Vietnam. I can tell the witnesses they were not corrupt and I take exception to the use of that word.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Why do we charge, in that case?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Can I interrupt? I prefaced my remarks-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: So everyone who came to Ireland from Vietnam came from corruption. That is not true.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I prefaced my remarks.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Adoption in Ireland: Discussion (26 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I, too, want the very best for children. How many children have been adopted through the Hague Convention in 2013? I understand that 266 people were granted declarations of eligibility and suitability this year. I have been contacted by a number of prospective parents regarding the prohibitive cost of getting such declarations. I ask the witnesses to comment on that issue. What is the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (24 Jun 2014)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: 569. To ask the Minister for Health his views on reviews of medical cards for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26866/14]