Results 3,961-3,980 of 4,073 for speaker:Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: The charge has been paid by 75% of people.

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Apr 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: In the upcoming referendum we will be asked to vote "Yes" or "No" to a new EU treaty, a stark "Yes" or "No" to the EU fiscal compact treaty. Its title is a mouthful and quite uninviting. It gives the impression that the treaty is complex and that only PhD scholars can read it, debate it or reason its merits. However, when all the jargon is left to one side, the treaty is quite simple. It...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Before the debate adjourned last night, I indicated that I hated quotas. In 2011, the chief executive of Deutsche Bank stated that appointing women to the bank's executive board, which did not have any women, would make it "prettier and more colourful". His comment made me laugh as I am partial to a bit of colour but I was also reminded of the following great words of encouragement I once...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I wish to share time with Deputy Tom Hayes, although I do not have much time left this evening.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I hate quotas, the Ceann Comhairle probably hates quotas and, in general, we all probably hate quotas. Ms Viviane Reding, the European justice Commissioner, is no exception, and she is planning to legislate for quotas of women on private sector boards throughout Europe. She stated, "I am not a great fan of quotas but I like the results quotas bring about", which sums up this issue. The...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Good.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Justifiably so.

Gender Equality (8 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I welcome the Government's forthcoming Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. However, I also wish to highlight the gender pay gap. The unadjusted gender pay gap in October 2009 was 12.8%, an increase from 12.4% in October 2008. I acknowledge that women have made strides in many respects, however, as a Government we must respond to gender barriers and tackle issues that...

Gender Equality (8 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Today is international women's day. In deference to this auspicious day, I call on the Government to legislate for a corporate board quota similar to that of Norway. This would compliment the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill, which proposes an increase in women's representation on the ballot paper for the Dáil. Irish female representation on corporate boards is dismal. In...

Education (Amendment) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Mar 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I propose to share time with Deputy Durkan. While I broadly welcome the terms of the Education (Amendment) Bill, certain provisions are lacking and I am glad to air my views. The Teaching Council of Ireland was established by statute in March 2006 to promote teaching as a profession at primary and post-primary levels, to promote the professional development of teachers and to regulate...

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: On 22 February, I raised the issue of pro-eating disorder websites at a briefing on eating disorders by Bodywhys that coincided with eating disorder awareness week. These websites define and promote anorexia and bulimia as conscious choices and a lifestyle. They are called pro-ana and pro-mia websites and exploit the vulnerability of people whose ability to reason logically is impaired....

Eating Disorders (28 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I am heartened to hear the response of the Minister of State. I am very concerned about the number of parents in my constituency who contacted me about these websites. I looked at them for research purposes and I was shocked by the images of thin people proffered as thinspiration. There is also the promotion of a bracelet project, where pro-mia or bulimic sufferers, are advised to wear...

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Deputy McConalogue's party took out 400,000 people.

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: This evening I wish to be constructive and put forward an argument for the need to allow a certain cohort of people to unlock part of their pension funds. This will allow a flexible system for many people under financial duress. I have consulted with the Irish Brokers Association and IBEC on this matter. Widespread early draw-down of defined benefit and defined contribution schemes must be...

Stroke Services (14 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: This subject is dear to my heart as my personal assistant had a stroke this weekend and he spent the weekend fighting for his life in one of the major Dublin hospitals. I draw the Minister's attention to the awareness created by the Irish Heart Foundation's FAST campaign, which refers to face, arms, speech and time. It is an appropriate stroke treatment strategy and, unfortunately, economic...

Pension Funds (9 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: My purpose in raising this matter is to argue the need to allow a certain cohort of people to unlock part of their pension funds. This would allow for a more humane and flexible system, reflecting the reality of life for many people who are under financial duress. I draw the Minister of State's attention to three core areas. They are additional voluntary contributions, AVCs, private pension...

Pension Funds (9 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: I thank the Minister of State but I would still ask him to look at this. The Irish Brokers Association gave a presentation yesterday to the Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education and argued very strongly for the case of pension funds being released on a once off basis. It also argued that the Government should take a 20% tax and to put all of that money back into our...

National Disability Strategy: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Having grown up with a brother with a visual and hearing impairment, the treatment of disabled people is an issue of personal interest to me. In the past decade Irish people acquired more cars, houses and money, but in many cases we failed to develop and nurture values that really mattered such as tolerance and empathy. Adults are the worst culprits, but I am grateful that we are nurturing...

Primary Schools: Motion (Resumed) (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: As a former teacher who taught in a rural school for 15 years before moving to an urban school, I acknowledge the excellent education provided in many of our small schools. I attended a small two-teacher school in Belmont, County Galway, and I had the opportunity recently to visit this school to raise its green flag and to see the great work in the school. I viewed their projects, their work...

Primary Schools: Motion (Resumed) (1 Feb 2012)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor: Could I speak, please? I welcome the confirmation from the Minister that the existing staffing appeals process will be accessible to small schools.