Results 441-460 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister for his reply. The SSIA scheme was designed as an incentive to save. However, if commentaries are anything to go by, it will create an incentive to spend when it matures, which goes against the whole spirit of the scheme. The matter is hard to judge. If the limit is set too low, it would create not only an incentive to spend but in some ways a need to spend. As we are...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, before section 2, to insert the following new section: "2.—The Minister shall within 6 months from after the passing of this Act prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the status of the 16 social welfare cuts imposed prior to the commencement of the term of office of the present Minister.". The amendment is self-explanatory. I...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: No doubt the Cathaoirleach is aware that this is International Women's Day. The Leader and I have come from a meeting with an extraordinary group of women, the McCartney sisters and Robert McCartney's partner, who are in Dublin today. It was a privilege to meet them. I applaud their courage and admire their stance in the cause of justice and truth. The leadership they have given has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is not gone.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Mar 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House for this debate which I requested. I thank the Leader for facilitating statements on the important issue of child care. Other speakers have noted that so far all those who have spoken on the subject, with the exception of the Minister of State, have been female. That is not unusual in this House. I hope it is not an indication that...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: In other words, we should target those parts of the community in which the school drop-out rate is highest. We know where these are because there have been sufficient reports to almost identify where every child is but we are not doing anything about it. We need to intervene early and support poor families and lone parents. God knows there has been enough talk in recent weeks about lone...

Seanad: Child Care Services: Statements. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Senator is not inadequate.

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I agree we need to look at the mechanism for establishing a new context for the peace process in Northern Ireland. It is our duty as Members of the Oireachtas to look at how that context may be created and the mechanism. I do not know what that mechanism could be but it is important that we start to look for it quickly. In line with this, we should ask the leadership of Sinn Féin, which has...

Seanad: Civil Partnership Bill 2004: Second Stage. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Like other Senators, I thank Senator Norris for introducing the Bill. I also acknowledge the actions of the Leader in listening to and reflecting the views expressed on the Order of Business, particularly on this side, and allowing the debate to proceed and even be extended. I welcome the legislation because it develops a debate recently touched on by a number of key people, including...

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Senator Bannon to continue without interruption.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Senator should address his remarks through the Chair.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I wish to share my time with Senator McCarthy.

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, and his officials to the House and thank him for setting out comprehensively the regional transport policy. I wish to confine my remarks to the issue of rail in the mid-west region. The Minister of State will be aware there is much concern in the region due to the lack of investment and the need to upgrade the...

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to the House for statements on regional transport policy.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: On a point of information, it was the Minister, Deputy Cullen, who brought forward the standards in public office legislation.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: I too am very disappointed that the Government has tabled the amendment to the motion for the Second Reading of the Private Members' Bill which Senator Norris was proposing that we discuss this evening. I had looked forward to the debate because I felt it would have added to the general consideration of the issues faced by cohabiting couples who need legal protection. It is a question of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: It is effectively running away from it.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Kathleen O'Meara: Why else would it not allow the Bill——