Results 521-540 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I withdraw the comment.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: We have come a long way as the Minister has fought for €900 million for this area. The Minister indicated that between special needs assistants, resource teachers and so on there is a combined staff of 19,000. In 1998 only 3,000 people worked in this area. Early intervention and diagnosis is the key and this is where the Department of Health and Children comes in. A mother will spot a...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I am speaking from experience so I ask the Senator to allow me continue. The jury is out on this topic and there are no absolutes. I visited schools and spoke to educational and clinical psychologists and each person I met gave me different answers. There is no area of this subject on which one can give a definite statement. I do not know enough about the matter and the Minister has...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: This structure is a step forward. In my teaching role I tried to implement such a system; sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not. At least there is now an appeals system. I ask the Minister to push this matter as much as possible and I know it will be completed by 2010. Pressure must be exerted in this area because we need the appeals system and parent consultation. I am delighted...

Seanad: Special Educational Needs: Statements (21 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: There are no fixed answers and none of us have a monopoly when it comes to wisdom on this subject. We should give the Minister a chance to get on with her work in the area and ask her to return in 12 months to see how things have progressed.

Seanad: Forestry Issues: Statements (20 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: That would be lovely.

Seanad: Forestry Issues: Statements (20 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. It is my first opportunity to wish her well in her role. I know very little about forestry. Many years ago the area of forestry was covered by the Department of Lands and Forestry, but it suddenly faded out of the picture and I no longer heard any discussion of this issue. When I heard the Minister of State was to receive this new brief I...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: Yesterday, many Senators spoke about the role of the Seanad, the portrayal by the media of it as irrelevant and the slant put on it over the weekend. I also raised the leadership role this Chamber can play in respect of why we should vote "Yes" in the referendum on the EU reform treaty. Over the weekend, two major organisations overwhelmingly came out in support of a "Yes" vote, based on...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the statement made at the weekend by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, indicating its overwhelming support for the Lisbon treaty. The IFA also declared its support for the treaty. Two major organisations, coming from different angles, have urged people to vote yes in the forthcoming referendum. This House should take a leadership role and have a debate on the referendum. We should...

Seanad: Millennium Development Goal: Motion (13 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I second the motion that Seanad Éireann acknowledges the millennium development goals and that we are committed to reducing the maternal mortality by 75% between 1990 and 2015 in developing countries. I also acknowledge the commitment of the Government and its substantial contribution to the new UN population fund agency, and that we will support 75 of the poorest countries to deliver...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to refer to the appalling attempt made on the life of the President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta, a former winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Ireland gave great support to East Timor during its time of struggle and I have no doubt it will do so again now. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is due to pay a visit to that country to discover the up-to-date position in respect of the...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Feb 2008)

Ann Ormonde: How dare he. This matter is completely out of order.

Seanad: Substance Abuse: Motion (Resumed) (30 Jan 2008)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Seán Haughey, to the House. I acknowledge the achievements of the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey, in his efforts to minimise the problem of drug abuse. I do not agree with Senator Norris's view on the legalisation of drugs and I sing...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jan 2008)

Ann Ormonde: We could go back further.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Ann Ormonde: To take up the point raised by Senator Norris, I, too, discussed the matter of extraordinary rendition at length yesterday at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Government is so emphatic that it has assurances from the United States Administration——

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Ann Ormonde: ——that none of the aircraft has passed through Shannon with prisoners being subjected at the other side to ill-treatment and degradation and I see no purpose whatsoever in setting up another committee to prove alleged matters on which Senator Norris is making suggestions.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Ann Ormonde: We can have a debate by all means.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I would welcome a debate. Previously we were trying to form a sub-committee. I see no reason for it as we received assurances yesterday from the Government. We also had a fine debate with the Irish Human Rights Commission led by Dr. Maurice Manning. I am surprised that following that debate the Senator wants to take the issue further. I would love debate in the House on it but we would...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Ann Ormonde: Why does the Senator say that?

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Dec 2007)

Ann Ormonde: What point is the Senator making?