Results 461-480 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: What?

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I do learn.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, who has made a significant effort to attend this debate. Three hours ago, he addressed the Parliament of the Czech Republic. His attempt to attend the Seanad in a timely manner reflects his energy and drive in getting the debate off the ground. I appreciate his work in this regard. The purpose of the Bill on the 28th amendment of the Constitution is to pave...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Membership of the EU has transformed us. We have a voice in Brussels and a place in the world from which we can influence the formation of key policies which affect our future. We must be at the table when issues such as climate change, trafficking and cross-border crime are discussed. We cannot address these issues alone. My philosophy for being in Europe is that we should be part of the...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: We should focus on economic management, climate change and peace and stability around the world. We must vote "Yes" because doing so will bring us political goodwill and solidarity from fellow member states, as well as greater international co-operation and equality. This treaty transcends political divides and I am delighted that so many people are putting Ireland first. I do not...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Last week I spoke about the impending legislation curbing the sale of alcohol, especially in off-licences and supermarkets, and the use of alcohol. While I welcome the new legislation, I believe it must be coupled with a debate that will involve the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, local authorities and...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects: Motion (23 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share my time with Senator O'Sullivan. In the National Development Plan 2000-2006, funding of €2.6 billion was provided for 7,800 building projects. A further €4.5 billion is to be invested in school buildings in the next few years. The crux of this issue is that the new planning and building unit has been reorganised along with the forward planning section for developing...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008: Second Stage (23 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House and I compliment him for bringing forward this Bill which has been a long time coming. I may not be able to speak very well today as I am hoarse but I will do my best. There is a need for such a body as the Dublin Transport Authority. A network of quangos have been dealing with the issues to do with Dublin Bus, Luas the metro and no decision was being...

Seanad: Lisbon Reform Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (23 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and I wish him well in his objective to steer the reform treaty to success. The Minister of State is giving a great deal of time to it and I know it is hard work. I assure him I will do everything to deliver the vote in my constituency. Every area should take control of itself and this is how we will be successful. The Minister of State has my support and...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: The matter is closed. The Senator should let it lie.

Seanad: National Skills Strategy: Statements (22 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I thank Senator John Paul Phelan for sharing time. I have a particular interest in the issue of how we may assess future trends. I welcome the skills strategy, which highlights the current situation and outlines what can be achieved via education and training between now and 2020. The Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, spoke about access to career guidance. That is crucial. Community...

Seanad: Kidnapping and Detention of Ms Ingrid Betancourt: Motion (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am very pleased to be here to talk about the plight of Ingrid Betancourt. When I read the articles during the week, I was appalled by her state of health and the cruelty of her captivity. I did not think such a thing would happen today and that people could be so cruel and without feeling. It is a golden opportunity for us to put this issue...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I, too, want to acknowledge the Taoiseach's role in the peace process on the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Without him we would not have reached this stage of peace. We have talked about many of the stakeholders who were involved in the peace process, but there is no question that without the Taoiseach and his facilitating skills, it would not have happened. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I also support the call for a debate on the Tibet situation. At a meeting yesterday of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs I said that politics and sport should not mix. To boycott the Olympic Games is not the road to go down. It is important to have the Minister here so that a proper debate can take place. We understand that the Dalai Lama is due to visit England, and we have asked...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: We have talked before about alcoholism and its role in society to date. That debate should be kept on the agenda and we should have it very soon.

Seanad: Kidnapping and Detention of Ms Ingrid Betancourt: Motion (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I move: "That Seanad Éireann: expressing its outrage at the kidnapping and detention for political ends of hostages, held by illegal armed groups in Colombia, including in 2002 that of Ms Ingrid Betancourt, a former member of the National Senate of Colombia and a candidate for the Presidency of Colombia; appalled by the written and photographic evidence recently recovered by the Government...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: He did not get back into Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Dr. Garret FitzGerald did not get re-elected.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs: Motion (9 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I second the amendment.

Seanad: Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs: Motion (9 Apr 2008)

Ann Ormonde: In that case, I am pleased to endorse the amendment. I listened to what other speakers stated on the motion and there is no doubt that the record of the State and successive Governments over decades in providing for children with special needs has been poor. We can all put up our hands and state that down through the years nothing has been done. It is only in the past couple of years that...