Results 4,721-4,740 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: And non-bilateral agreement countries.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Well done to the Minister with regard to the Vietnam agreement. Let us hope it is established by 1 May so there is no breakdown for the couples in the process of adopting there. I wish to focus on Russia. I am aware of a number of couples — I am close to one of them — who have been approved to travel to Russia. This Bill is going through the Oireachtas at a rapid pace and if the Bill...

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: May I clarify the figure?

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Of those seeking to adopt a child, 78% are considering countries which have not signed up to the Hague Convention or with which we will not have a bilateral agreement.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: In that case, the figure would be lower.

Seanad: Adoption Bill 2009: Committee Stage (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: To clarify, I stated that 78% of those seeking foreign adoptions are considering non-Hague Convention countries or countries with which we do not have bilateral agreements. This figure is from the International Adoption Association, which does research in this area. Couples seeking foreign adoptions contact the association for advice and to declare their interest. That is a fact and we...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Last night, the Minister for Finance refused in his response to my Adjournment matter to intervene to assist hard pressed fixed-rate mortgage holders. He also stated that his only role in respect of the banks was to create a regulatory framework, which must be the joke of the century considering how much he failed on that front. Last night we learned of the introduction of a new budget,...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes. We keep pouring water in only for it to run out the other end. How much more tax can workers — middle income earners — take? This is a serious issue. There will be anarchy in this country if workers are continually asked to pay while the Government fails to come up with a job creation strategy. The only way to plug the hole in the bucket is to put in place a job creation...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I made the point last week in this House that although we have a political arrangement with the North we do not have an all-Ireland economy. We are draining to the North. The Tánaiste has not addressed this issue and will be a failure unless she puts in place a job creation strategy. I ask the Deputy Leader to ensure the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment...

Seanad: Home Loans (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This matter relates to the need for the Minister for Finance to use his influence with the banks by asking them to allow hard-pressed mortgage holders who entered fixed rate home loan agreements within the past two years to renegotiate new rates at current variable or fixed mortgage rates. Some of the people in question are in danger of losing their homes. My aim is to enable people to...

Seanad: Home Loans (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister said: "Those on fixed rate mortgages have the option of switching to variable rate mortgages under the terms of their existing fixed rate agreement." However, they can only do that by incurring a six-month penalty. Why will the Minister not intervene on behalf of the home owner? Why would he not use his authority?

Seanad: Home Loans (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister is letting the banks be king again.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is worth supporting Senator Norris's proposal for a rolling debate on the economy because that is where the game is at. We should spend at least between 45 minutes and an hour daily discussing the economy. The Deputy Leader should consider that. I was delighted to see AIB and Eugene Sheehy facing up to reality and putting some serious plans in place to face worst-case scenarios. I am...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: He has many notions.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Senator speaks for himself.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: They need an appropriate education.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Senator Ormonde should get the facts right and tell the truth. Children are being deprived.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Minister is hiding behind the policy of inclusion.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Senator Ormonde should stick to the facts.

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (3 Mar 2009)

Fidelma Healy Eames: He never comes into the House at all.