Results 3,521-3,540 of 4,295 for speaker:Catherine Noone

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (29 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I commend Senators Zappone, Quinn and Crown and others for bringing this matter forward for debate. It is important to acknowledge that the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste met party leaders in December, as mentioned by Senator Bacik and others, and are taking a consultative approach, which is welcome. The vote of the Irish people to retain the Seanad last October was accompanied by a...

Seanad: Health Identifiers Bill 2013: Second Stage (29 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I welcome the Minister and thank him for bringing the legislation before us. The Bill seeks to establish a profile system of unique identifiers for individuals within the health system, as other Senators and the Minister have pointed out. It makes perfect sense, as we will be able to track an individual going through the system and his or her interaction with doctors, dentists, nurses and...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I raise an issue touched on by Senator Aideen Hayden. A study was published this week which showed that the risk of obesity doubled for those living in low income households, which is no big surprise. The study of childhood obesity discovered that socioeconomic factors impacted significantly on a child's chances of becoming obese, with parents' social class, education and whether they drank...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I will conclude by requesting a debate on the arts. The Minister is more than willing to come in to illustrate the amount of work that has been done. The Government has a sincere and ongoing commitment to sustainable arts funding. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I was taken aback by comments made by Gabriel Byrne over the weekend on the commitment of the Government to the arts. He has not held back in the past in criticising the Government for its policies, not least when it came to the Gathering.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: He did get it wrong and seems to be wrong in this instance also. I concur with the figures mentioned by Senator Terry Brennan and that the CSO released today which indicate that there was a 14% increase in the number of visitors to this country from North America, a 5.6% increase from the United Kingdom and a 15% increase from other long-haul markets. Clearly, as the Senator said, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I am, but I ask the Cathaoirleach to bear with me for one moment. It spearheaded one of the Ireland's most successful stints at the Venice Biennale. Last year it funded almost 500 artists to represent Ireland abroad, including the United States, while Irish theatre companies had their most successful year ever in Edinburgh.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I am, but I am nearly finished. This year it has a budget that is just short of €3 million.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: The Senator is wasting our time.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: That is completely irrelevant.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: The Chair needs to up his game then.

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I, too, welcome the Minister to the House. The reduction in numbers is regrettable but blaming the Minister or the Taoiseach, or anyone who represents Ireland in the EU, for that reduction is misguided because it is an unfortunate by-product of enlargement that the MEPs are reduced by one. It was regrettable but it affected the whole EU and we are not unique. On a parochial level, I...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I support colleagues' comments in regard to the proposed banking inquiry. What has been mooted is absurd, because there is no politician who would not have commented on the issue in recent years. On the other hand, a "Coghlan inquiry" has a certain ring to it. Perhaps Senator Paul Coghlan, in his quasi-judicial role in the Oireachtas, might play a pivotal role in any investigation. I join...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: For once.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Role of National Parliaments in European Semester and Annual Growth Survey 2014: Secretary General of European Commission (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I should have mentioned that there was much talk about the Seanad being a home for the discussion of such matters I suppose one must be careful about what one wishes for, because the detail contained in some of this legislation could have all Seanad Members in the House for five days a week until 9 p.m. Does Ms Day have a view in this regard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Role of National Parliaments in European Semester and Annual Growth Survey 2014: Secretary General of European Commission (23 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I welcome Ms Day and Ms Nolan and thank them for their presentation. Ms Day mentioned policies that countries might tackle together. I have been doing a little work on the issue of youth unemployment. Is Ms Day aware of any strategic approach to tackling youth unemployment and unemployment generally? Deputy Timmy Dooley spoke about the crisis, to which youth unemployment at a European...

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I ask the Minister of State to conclude.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: I have given considerable latitude.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: The Minister of State may briefly respond.

Seanad: Irish Water: Statements (22 Jan 2014)

Catherine Noone: It is not that I want the Minister of State to shut up but that I must impose the rules of the House.