Results 4,641-4,660 of 6,030 for speaker:Brendan Ryan

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Brendan Ryan: It is interesting to note that some Members think that is good. The chorus from the Government side suggests Fianna Fáil approves of the reduction in the number of medical card holders. If Fianna Fáil Members believe that people on €142 a week can afford to pay €50 to a doctor, we know the reason they got hammered in the local elections, namely, they do not know how the ordinary people...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Brendan Ryan: This is the first time I have heard anything so succinct from Senator Norris. Normally his comments would run to at least three sentences. On successive occasions I have asked for a debate on inequality and poverty in this State. It is particularly appropriate to have this debate now that we have a new dynamic and committed Minister for Social and Family Affairs. One hopes the machismo the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Brendan Ryan: The authorities here are pretty good at sending people home too.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Brendan Ryan: This is the new, caring Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I know it was not the Senator.

Seanad: Disability Services: Motion. (29 Sep 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I am not sure the Bill has been welcomed in such unequivocal terms by many groups which work with people with disabilities. Like anyone with sense, they have recognised that it represents progress but I am not sure they believe they are anywhere near the top of the mythological mountain. Being able to see the top of the mountain is not the same as reaching it. We have a major problem in this...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Brendan Ryan: Is the Leader trying to tell us something?

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Brendan Ryan: During the summer and since the Dáil rose, an interesting dialogue has been taking place in the media about poverty and inequality with the soon to be Commissioner for the Internal Market leading the charge to discredit many of those who have campaigned very effectively. It was interesting to read the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and note that 28 people went to jail last...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2004)

Brendan Ryan: That is an assertion with which nobody but Government Members agree.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment. I come late to the Bill because I was not dealing with it. The functions of the council, as set out in the Bill, do not feature a reference to the necessity to ensure that adequate numbers of properly trained teachers are available to meet the requirements of making information available, monitoring the progress of students, assessing and reviewing the resources...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment. It is a fact of life, not a political issue, that government in general has resisted rigid timetables. However, it has very often demanded them from others. I raised this issue during the debate on the regional technical colleges Bill with the then Minister for Education, Deputy Seamus Brennan. The Bill contained a detailed prescription of deadlines by which the...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment. Parents have always been slow to go the courts under Article 42 of the Constitution. The only body I know of which was caught under Article 42 was the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. In a certain strike it was found liable for substantial sums because it was suggested it had taken away children's constitutional rights. Parents are reluctant to take this route...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I subscribe fully to Senator Cox's view that the education of people with special needs ought not be constrained by considerations of time. Given such people's needs, age is an artificial constraint. I am intrigued that the legislation is entitled the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill, when in fact it concerns education for children with special needs. Nonetheless,...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment. It is to a degree ironic that the newspapers are filled with reports of the body established by the Government to consider ways to encourage enterprise. Among the body's conclusions is the need for agile and responsive Government. Where agile and responsive Government are considered, the issues of delay and the unwillingness of Governments of a variety of complexions...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment. In the 20 or more years I have been in this House I have seen more than 1,000 Bills go through the Oireachtas. Those which contained references to expenditure included a sub-clause stating that the Minister required the "consent of the Minister for Finance". This is mythology. If the Minister for Finance devoted himself to giving consent to all of the legislation which...

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: I second the amendment. Bhí mé i nGaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne le linn deireadh na seachtaine agus thug mé faoi deara go raibh comórtais eagraithe ag daoine a bhí dírithe ar leanaí le riachtanais speisialta ach ba chomórtais iad a bhí eagraithe ina n-iomlán trí Ghaeilge. Nuair a chonaic mé an leasú seo bhí mé ag smaoineamh go bhféadfainn ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit. What...

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Jul 2004)

Brendan Ryan: There are many laws with which I disagree. That is the nature of democracy but I have no right to break any of them and nobody has the right to claim the right to break the law. I, therefore, enthusiastically support the promised action by the Minister for Health and Children relating to the smoking ban and he should have the vocal support of all Members of the Oireachtas.