Results 3,661-3,680 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: The thousands of children who struggled all last year and this year in respect of this examination have been let down. I cannot find words to described how upset I am. I do not know how we can ensure this does not happen again but we should at least have an opportunity to discuss the issue with the Minister. Perhaps the State Examinations Commission should be called to appear before the...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Jun 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: Like others, I am concerned about the revelations about the leaving certificate examinations. One of the flaws of the leaving certificate is that young people only get one opportunity. They work hard and a great deal of advice is given to students and parents about preparing for the examinations such as about getting enough sleep, drinking water, not staying up half the night and not...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I, too, welcome the new arrangements for the new clusters and the new technological universities, as announced this morning by the Minister for Education and Skills. I ask the Leader for an early debate because I am sure there will be much interest in this issue. Between the 21 institutions, universities and institutes of technology, there will be four clusters across the country, including...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman's Report on Nursing Home Care: Discussion with Department of Health (29 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: Would the situation not be eased by allowing a case to go to court and having the court rule finally that what the Department has upheld-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman's Report on Nursing Home Care: Discussion with Department of Health (29 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: With regard to redress, the Ombudsman said she was not recommending compensation and she proposed a limited redress scheme. Why was it not taken up? That might have avoided litigation. The Ombudsman clearly said the settlement of these cases is obstruction on the part of the Department. As Senator Ó Clochartaigh said, the committee has dealt with other ombudsmen and the language in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman's Report on Nursing Home Care: Discussion with Department of Health (29 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: The Ombudsman recommended such a scheme. Why did Dr. McLoughlin not respond to that recommendation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman's Report on Nursing Home Care: Discussion with Department of Health (29 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I would like to know the number of cases involved. If Dr. McLoughlin cannot give us the figures, is he providing them to the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health or the HSE? Who knows about the number of cases? Given the broken relationship between the Department and the Ombudsman, what is he going to do to repair it? The committee is responsible for investigating that relationship.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Ombudsman's Report on Nursing Home Care: Discussion with Department of Health (29 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the Secretary General and his officials. We appreciate them being here. I also commend the fact that they are in the process of restructuring the Department and have made that appointment as a liaison point for the Office of the Ombudsman. All of us present would agree that improving relationships between the Department and the Office of the Ombudsman is key and is, in effect,...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Margareta Wahlström (29 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: We are known as the country of the thousand welcomes, so I would like to add mine to all of the others and welcome Ms Wahlström to this House. We are honoured to have her here today. An issue that is dear to Ms Wahlström's heart and which she mentioned earlier is that the idea of disaster is not real for many countries. It is not real in the way the internet was not real 20 years...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (23 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I join others in condemning the events in Woolwich yesterday. It seems in an attempt to try to break through the constant noise of violence and violent acts that a new low has been reached whereby something like this could happen in broad daylight. Of course, the perpetrators have succeeded in breaking through. As Senator Hayden stated, if it is the case this video is on YouTube, they have...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Unlicensed Money-Lending) Bill 2013: Second Stage (22 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I join other Senators in acknowledging Senator MacSharry's concern and his efforts in this regard. Nobody in the House would have a difficulty in the broad area of moneylending, especially illegal moneylending. People have outlined very clearly that it is a criminal activity that causes grief, not just with financial worry for families but also...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I join others in thanking the Minister for his patience and, as Senator Ó Clochartaigh has said, his capacity to listen and with his officials take on board the suggestions. It has been a very collaborative exercise and the Bill is strengthened as a result. The Minister has shown his own personal passion which shines through and has made an enormous difference in passing the Bill in a...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (22 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I seek clarification. On the notices that must be clearly visible from every public place, is one notice sufficient on the grounds that notices are often placed in a way that they are not noticeable and therefore one would not see them? My other query relates to feral cats and their potential poisoning. The issue was raised with me and I wonder whether there is any clarification in regard...

Seanad: Decade of Centenaries Programme of Commemorations: Statements (22 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I extend the same welcome to those who have made that long journey. I thank the Minister and welcome him to the House. As others have said, it is a good start. It is great to hear about the Century Ireland project, which is a thoughtful and good place to start what will be a very intense period of commemoration and thought-provoking memories for many people. It is also good to see the...

Seanad: Address to Seanad Éireann by Mr. Jim Higgins, MEP (16 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: Deputy Higgins is very welcome. The last times our paths crossed, we were watching the debacle of the dustbin recount in Castlebar. Perhaps we should not revisit the last European elections. What was the winning slogan that was provided by the young girl from Donegal? I would like to hear it, if Deputy Higgins can recall it. Like Senator Keane, I would be interested to know what is being...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I cannot follow that. The concerns about the fodder crisis were well expressed and I share them. I am certain the Minister is working extremely hard to try to resolve them, albeit, as other Senators have pointed out, he is not Superman. It is probably best that he carries on trying to work out the dilemmas and that he continues to respond to the crisis. I am not sure that bringing him in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (15 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: This process can be off-putting for people who have difficulty engaging with it. It is up to us to recognise such moments and ask whether a matter of public interest arises. Of course, one does. The drug in question has been around for a long time and has been associated with many difficulties, for example, reports of people experiencing serious illnesses and committing suicide. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Decisions on Public Petitions Received (15 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: This particular matter is a significant one. While the petitioner has had difficulties, there is a public interest issue in a broader sense, which is the committee's focus. Having read the petition, I would like to invite him to appear before the committee and to notify him that the Minister is considering legislation that might impact on this matter. If the petitioner is to inform the...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2013: Second Stage (15 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank Senators Katherine Zappone, Feargal Quinn, John Crown and others who have worked to produce the Bill. I acknowledge the huge effort made at a time when other things are happening. They have contributed well to the debate on the future the Seanad. Like other Government party Members, I will be voting for the legislation that will allow the issue to be put in a referendum to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sale of Coillte's Harvesting Rights: Discussion (Resumed) with IMPACT (14 May 2013)

Susan O'Keeffe: I do not have a question per se but wish to add my comments. I thank the witnesses for their contribution today and for the report they have produced. They have summed up the argument very well through their collaboration with Mr. Peter Bacon and other organisations. Most of us sitting here are very concerned to ensure that we do not sell our soul for tuppence ha'penny. The witnesses have...