Results 4,161-4,180 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh. I wish to raise the matter of the western rail corridor. I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on the funding for the corridor and outline the timeframe for completion of same. There is much concern in the west that the funding will be pulled in next week's budget. I hope the Minister of State will be able to inform me of...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The corridor will encourage tourism and it will put smaller towns and villages adjacent to the rail line on the map. The greatest benefit is it will be more environmentally friendly because there will be fewer cars on the road. The corridor will also result in the provision of a new rail freight service which will take heavy goods vehicles off congested roads and it will be vital for...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister of State will be welcome.

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Is no information available on the station there? I am delighted with the commitment in principle given by the Minister of State and his philosophy on the importance of rail transport, which I share. However, I am concerned about his comment that progression towards phases 2 and 3 is dependent on how well services on the Ennis to Athenry line do. We expect them to do very well. However, I...

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This information was brought to my attention, which is why I am sharing it with the Minister of State. I refer also to the journey time of one hour and 55 minutes.

Seanad: Rail Services (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister of State for his time but would appreciate it if he pass on the information to the Minister for Transport.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I am genuinely concerned that this move by the unions to propose 12 days' unpaid leave for public servants is a financial exercise, a stroke of the pen that will work outside. It will work fine in theory but not in practice. I ask the House to consider the impact on children and on their classroom education which could be monumental. I disagree with my colleague, Senator O'Toole, on this...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I beg the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I wish to know from the Leader whether there has been a buy-in by principals and teachers on this issue. Unless there is agreement from front-line staff, this will not work and it is our children who will be hurt. There will be a lowering of standards. Ireland does not rank against the top countries in the OECD. We are just hanging in there about average. Other countries such as Finland...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is a terrible time for the people. I have reflected on the matter and there is a link between the flooding crisis that has befallen the people in the past week and the thousands of Irish children that have been abused by the church throughout the generations. The link is denial and neglect. The attitude was that if we do not talk about it, it might go away. In both cases, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is real life misery.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It was real.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Dec 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Finneran. What could I possible say at this stage that will make a difference and will be heard? So much has been said. It is not all about what is being said this evening. We face a €4 billion hole that the Government will try to fill next Wednesday, 9 December. It is borrowing €500 million a week just to stay afloat but the problem as...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Sadly, it never rains but it pours. We are hearing that the worst is yet to come in terms of flooding in the west. As a result of rising waters in the Shannon 50 more homes in Galway are this morning submerged in water. The council is unable to assist one woman who has been housebound for five days. I agree with much of what Senator Twomey said. It is time the Taoiseach declared this...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Although we did not wish public sector employees to strike approximately €50 million has been saved as a result, the least amount that should be committed to the clean-up operation. We must be in the long term, as has been said by many Senators, prepared for future flooding. There is no doubt that poor planning decisions have been made, in particular in flood plains. As I discovered a...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I now hear that the Higher Education Authority, HEA, has arranged an emergency meeting with the students union for next Monday.

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: My question to the Deputy Leader——

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I will finish on this point. My question to the Deputy Leader is——