Results 4,301-4,320 of 4,931 for speaker:Mary White

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: At the macro level, in 2005 the Irish economy will grow by 5.1% in GDP terms, employment will grow by approximately 35,000, unemployment will remain low at 4.4% and inflation, to keep us competitive, will hover at 2.5%. These are key indicators of economic stability and, as the Leader stated, of the new Minister for Finance continuing to keep the tiller steady after the departure of the...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: Excuse me. I know what I am talking about.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: The Senator challenged me before and did not know what he was talking about. On page B10 there is reference to tax incentives and exemption.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: It states that the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners will undertake in 2005 a detailed review——

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: —— of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemption, their impact and operation. The Leader will recall that I mentioned at a meeting of the parliamentary party a possible tax incentive for child care facilities and it was stated that child care facilities would be examined.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: I know it is only a small step but there is an indication there. Fianna Fáil will drive matters in this area. We know there is a child care crisis in the country.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: Currently, some 55% of women participate in the workforce. If we are to deliver these potential growth rates in the economy we must get more Irish people working. Some €660 million is paid out annually on lone parent allowances while only 55% of women work. We need to get more of those parents back into the workforce, see that they are educated and are ambitious for their children. They...

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: I ask for just one more minute. The Leas-Chathaoirleach gave leeway to everyone. I was watching him.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: Can I just finish? The Leas-Chathaoirleach is challenging me.

Seanad: Budget Statement 2005: Motion. (1 Dec 2004)

Mary White: This is a very small step but the women in the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party will continue to lobby the Government to improve the number of private and community crèche places available, because we will not keep the economy on a growth path if we do not get more women back into the workforce.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Mary White: I call for a debate in the House on child care as a matter of urgency. It is the most significant issue for the 18 to 44 year old cohort of people having children. Child benefit is the Government's primary fiscal instrument to deal with child care but the payment is only €32 per week. The Government thinks it is doing something about child care but it costs €88 per week for the cheapest...

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Mary White: Second only to my involvement in the peace process and the conference on Tuesday to which Senator Henry referred, child care is the issue about which I am most concerned. The Government must address it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Mary White: I do not care what the Opposition thinks. While I have already had a meeting with the Minister for Finance and those colleagues with whom I drew up a document on the matter, we must continue to work on the Government over the next two or three years to ensure it has a vision for the children of the future.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Mary White: Yes.

Seanad: Order of Business. (18 Nov 2004)

Mary White: The children being born now will live in poverty in 20 years time because their parents could not afford to pay for child care.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (17 Nov 2004)

Mary White: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Public Private Partnerships: Statements. (17 Nov 2004)

Mary White: That is correct.

Seanad: Public Private Partnerships: Statements (Resumed). (17 Nov 2004)

Mary White: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Senator Ryan's observations on the flow of traffic at the Westlink toll bridge are not correct. The extra toll booths and laneways have improved the flow of traffic but a problem persists at the Lucan exit south of the toll bridge. The congestion on this exit road blocks one of the extra routes. The flow of traffic has been improved by the...

Seanad: Public Private Partnerships: Statements (Resumed). (17 Nov 2004)

Mary White: It probably would. There is a full size engine room with simulators for all ship types from high-tech to basic. There is also a survival training facility with a 5 m deep pool, diving tank, hoist, life raft and a helicopter underwater evacuation trainer. Total darkness, high waves and hurricane-like winds can be generated within the pool giving total reality to emergency and rescue...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Mary White: Even better.