Results 4,001-4,020 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I have. I would like to ask the Leader to deplore what I describe as the creeping privatisation of politics in Ireland.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: God knows, politicians take enough criticism, some of it warranted, but the idea that individuals with their own private aspirations can use a referendum to further their own ends is a disgrace. I ask the Leader to condemn it unreservedly on the part of this House.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I seek clarification in respect of laboratory animals. Are they covered by this provision, or are they considered to be outside its remit? Is there a separate regulation for them?

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: My friend, Senator Mooney, was obviously saving that pun all day.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (23 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: My friend, Senator Comiskey, might possibly outdo the Senator with his recommendation that there be no foul play. I commend the Fianna Fáil Party's interest in rare birds. I support Senator Mooney's comments and particularly the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's enormous interest in food, the green island, health and our natural environment. The Minister has been able to...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (22 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I support the retention of the word "necessary". I believe that in both cases, the word "necessary" is what gives this Bill its strength and makes it stand out from where we have been. Most farmers will assume the reasonable thing, but to make it necessary is at the heart of what this Bill is about. I appreciate the Minister will obviously look at it, but I would like to see the word...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I wish to be associated with the remarks made by various Senators about the United Nations day which reminds us all about the bullying that persists across this country and across the world against people who are homosexual. I understand that the Ministers, Deputy Quinn and Deputy Fitzgerald, are hosting a forum today on that matter and this is to be welcomed. I ask the Deputy Leader if the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the InterTradeIreland seedcorn competition which is run every year by InterTradeIreland, the all-island organisation that supports innovative companies to come forward, particularly young people coming out of universities or companies that have an international look to their business. They look for competitors across the provinces who initially participate in regional finals and...

Seanad: Review of White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Perhaps Africa will soon be filled with animals called after the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello. That is something to look forward to. I am aware that the review of the White Paper and the Irish Aid programme is dear to his heart and accept that he is putting a huge effort into it. We welcomed him when he came to Sligo. I join him in paying tribute to Nora Owen for her great work...

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Second Stage (3 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister back to the House for the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012. I hope and trust the officials and the Minister, who must have worked very hard on this, were fed and watered appropriately because obviously it has been a labour of love as much as a labour of some difficulty I am sure. I acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Senator Walsh is right to advise caution but this is why rules and procedures have been put in place. The idea that organisations would apply because an individual desired to conduct marriage ceremonies is fanciful. Organisations will have to demonstrate their seriousness of intent by seeking to be included. By putting a framework in place we will be taking the issue seriously. We do not...

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Like the other speakers, I commend Senator Bacik for her work on this Bill and also the Minister for her support. I support the amendment in the spirit of laying down a marker. However, I believe there will be another opportunity and I will support the measure on that future occasion. I accept that this legislation is not capable of accepting that amendment.

Seanad: Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (2 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I do.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: On behalf of the Labour group, I also welcome that two senior Ministers will come to the House to discuss the legislation. It is recognition that the Seanad is a place where important legislation can be discussed and two Ministers can join together to contribute to that debate. It is with some sadness that the words "Catholic Church" and "child abuse" are in the lips of many. It is sad on...

Seanad: Report of Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (1 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the Minister to the House. I have a couple of queries for him. On the change, which it is acknowledged in the report will provide a challenge, will training be provided for boards of management and principals to assist them in implementing the changes required of them? The Minister referred in his statement to the schools liaising with parents. Is there a protocol in respect of...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 May 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I invoke the name of Ann Lovett whom we should never forget died giving birth to her son beside a church in January 1984, which was a shocking event. In a way what is happening in regard to the 16 year about whom there is currently much talk echos the type of carelessness and lack of regard for some of our children. It is hoped that it becomes apparent that what happened to this child is a...

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Obviously, it was the wrong day to do that. I commend the Institute of Directors on the report it released today on appointments to State boards. It is interesting that almost half of those appointed are appointed because they know about it, either through word of mouth or with contact with the Minister or the Minister's office. Obviously, this is of concern. It is the case that we would...

Seanad: Report of Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements (24 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Much of that speech was about Fianna Fáil and its need to rebuild itself but I am not interested in that and I do not believe many members of the public are either. What we should be interested in is what the Mahon report means. We cannot change what occurred in the past. We can only try to change our future based on that past. We can only do that if we remind ourselves of what happened...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: As far as I understand it, the treaty is about fostering long-term budgetary discipline and, as the Minister of State indicated, increasing levels of internal discipline. I find it terrifically difficult to understand the opposition Sinn Féin is offering to this. I have tried really hard to come to terms with Sinn Féin's position but I cannot do so because it does not make any sense.

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: We have emerged from a period when there was a lack of discipline and regulation and when rules were bent, broken, ignored, abandoned, etc. The latter explains, in some part, why we are in the mess in which we find ourselves. Senator Cullinane can shake his head all he likes but what I have said is true. I would have thought that a level of internal discipline to which we can all sign up...