Results 4,021-4,040 of 4,168 for speaker:Susan O'Keeffe

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: With respect, the Senator is talking about another jurisdiction and one in which this referendum will not be put.

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: I am talking about Sinn Féin's argument, the one it would put to those people who may be deciding to invest in Ireland because they believe economic progress is being made here, albeit slow, painful and difficult. I would love to hear how Sinn Féin and others who oppose this treaty would explain to those wishing to invest in Ireland how budgetary and internal discipline is not a good...

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

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister of State for her lengthy and comprehensive statement. I thank the Leader of the House for giving us the time to discuss the findings of the Mahon tribunal. It is very important lest we forget, and perhaps Fianna Fáil has already forgotten as I would like to record the almost empty benches opposite-----

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

Susan O'Keeffe: I am absolutely disgusted.

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

Susan O'Keeffe: It is a downright disgrace. At this moment Fianna Fáil Senators would be quite happy to come into the House and cause all kinds of arguments, to which they are perfectly entitled to do, but they are not here today and that makes a mockery of Senator Power's fine words about how Fianna Fáil wishes to rebuild itself.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I was not too concerned when I read that Jedward had to cut the number of suits they can take to the Eurovision song contest from 14 to seven. Neither was I hugely concerned - although perhaps a bit disappointed sentimentally - that Larry Gogan would not be travelling to the Eurovision event this year. It is the first time he has not travelled there for many years. One becomes concerned,...

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (18 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Motion (18 Apr 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister for his robust response. I pay tribute to the Turn off the Red Light campaign for their perseverance. They have spread the message in a way that people can understand and as Senator Healy Eames said, they remind us that every day the exploitation of women and children continues, that day should not come to pass without some action to deal with it. When the Swedish...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements, Questions and Answers (28 Mar 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I have a supplementary question on regeneration. I had misunderstood the position as I had thought the independent regeneration office to which I referred was a national office, but it obviously pertains to regeneration in Limerick. Is there an understanding of what the model will be for the Cranmore regeneration project? Will it be an independent regeneration office, in an alliance with...

Seanad: Housing Policy: Statements, Questions and Answers (28 Mar 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I have two questions for the Minister of State. On unfinished estates, I wonder what has happened to those who left them unfinished. Obviously, some of those involved are bankrupt, but I suspect that is not the case across the board. Certainly, in my area there is much local knowledge of what happened, for example, that money was put aside and then re-channelled into another account. I...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: In the absence of the chair of the public consultation committee, Senator O'Donovan, I take the opportunity to welcome a first for the Seanad, namely, the launch of the first report from the public consultation committee. One may remember this related to the rights of older people, and we had written submissions and hearings before concluding the report and making recommendations. The...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: "Throughout that period, corruption in Irish political life was both endemic and systemic." If we were to put our finger on one piece from the Mahon report, that is the one line I would pick out from it. Of course, I would hope the Leader can find a way to facilitate a lengthy and thorough debate on the Mahon tribunal. It is difficult to be grateful in any way, shape or form for the Mahon...

Seanad: Clotting Factor Concentrates and Other Biological Products Bill 2012: Second and Subsequent Stages (21 Mar 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: It is not often that we debate a Bill that is short and efficient. Given that the products concerned are now being classified as medicines, will the legislation allow St. James's to procure new blood clotting factor products or does it solely cover named products? Clotting products were originally completely blood based but that is no longer the case.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: The former Minister Ms Gemma Hussey is in the Visitors Gallery and I welcome her to the House. I concur with Senator Ivana Bacik that we need to consider reducing the seven year period, as that would be of benefit. We would like to see more women involved in politics. In practical terms, as Senator Cáit Keane said, if we start with a figure of at least 30% of candidates being women, it...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Feb 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome the announcement by the Government of a referendum. We had several heated moments in this House on whether a referendum would occur. The Attorney General has moved in a swift fashion to give the people this decision, and we will look forward to a robust debate in the weeks ahead. No date has been set, from what we can understand from the announcement, but it gives people the...

Seanad: Standing Order 18: Motion (23 Feb 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I am proud of the fact every day that I am a citizen, and not a subject, of a Republic, which increasingly is becoming a more inclusive, understanding and tolerant place to live. There are many things that need to be improved and there are many things we will try to improve in Parliament and outside it. What is important to me is that I am a citizen and proud of it and we share the Republic...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: A Chathaoirligh, that is not good enough.

Seanad: Wind Turbines Bill 2012: Second Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me time at short notice and just prior to the Minister of State, who I thank for attending. I will lend my support to Senator Kelly's Bill on wind turbines. I will also echo Senator Bacik's comments on the use of the Seanad in introducing ideas and concepts that the Dáil cannot take on board, given the number of other issues that it must address....

Seanad: Media Standards: Statements, Questions and Answers (22 Feb 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I thank the Minister for coming to the House. My pirouetting elephant is ill at the moment so I will not be trying to perform for anybody. The Minister is obviously aware that the submission process on the code of fairness, impartiality and objectivity is in train. That code arises from the Broadcasting Act 2009. Is the Minister satisfied that the code will address what is needed? Will...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Susan O'Keeffe: I welcome that the House proposes to start the day, as has always been the tradition, with the power of a prayer and also to accompany that with the chance for reflection, which is how some people would like to start their day of work. I welcome the two going hand in hand and it shows the progressive nature of the House.