Results 521-540 of 1,311 for speaker:Sheila Terry

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2005: Second Stage. (2 Mar 2005)

Sheila Terry: I welcome the Minister back into the House to discuss this important Bill. While I feel it is a continuation of a debate we had previously, I now want to address some of the points raised in this Bill. I must acknowledge that matters have improved for many people and that is only fair. Given our economic growth, we would expect that everybody should benefit from it. While I accept that many...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: There are no leaks from Fine Gael meetings.

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: Under the divorce legislation enacted in 1997, couples must live apart for four of the five preceding years before they may apply to divorce. On 1 March, an EU directive will come into force in Ireland which will allow a spouse who has been living in another jurisdiction for one year to apply for a divorce which, if granted, must be recognised in the State. More worryingly, foreign courts...

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

Sheila Terry: The Minister of State is again welcome to the House for this important debate. It is of great concern to many of us and we have managed to debate it while discussing other Bills in this House because of its importance to women. As the Minister of State can see, only female Members are in the House, despite fathers being parents with responsibilities as well. In this House, it always appears...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: With the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach, I take the opportunity to apologise for the words I used during the debate on the Civil Partnership Bill last week. It was never my intention to offend anybody through the use of the word "homophobic" and I apologise sincerely to anyone I offended and hurt. I express my sincere apologies for the hurt and offence caused by the word. However, it was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: Thank you. With regard to the Order of Business, I would like to draw Members' attention to the media campaign, End the Silence, which began yesterday and which deals with domestic violence. The campaign will highlight the level of domestic violence in this country. According to Women's Aid, 107 women have been murdered since 1996, 69 of those in their own homes. We have a very serious...

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

Sheila Terry: I thank the Minister for attending this debate. I thank Senator Norris for presenting this Bill and compliment him on having been to the fore regarding this issue throughout his public life. He has worked tirelessly on it and all of us, both gay and straight, owe him a great debt of gratitude for trying to ensure that we hold all citizens as equal before the law. I understand that this Bill...

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

Sheila Terry: My party did not make a submission to the committee on this issue because it feared that what has transpired today would come to pass. The Government has deliberately blurred the lines of debate on this issue and claimed that civil partnership is an issue pertaining to Bunreacht na hÉireann. That is not the case. Legislation, if framed correctly and amended as necessary, should be such that...

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

Sheila Terry: The views I expressed are mine.

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

Sheila Terry: I did not charge anyone, I questioned motives.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I second the amendment and support Senator Tuffy's comments, although I do not wish to repeat what she said. I complained on Committee Stage that the Minister of State was constantly relying on the working group's recommendations. He and his senior colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, can overrule those recommendations. I do not think the relevant Minister has stuck...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: "(2) The Minister shall, in the interests of equality, within three months of the enactment of the this Act, cause a Report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas examining the feasibility of introducing paid parental leave." I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I am disappointed in the Minister of State's response. In light of the ongoing debate about the situation of families, working parents and lone parents, this amendment would have provided the Minister with a good opportunity to report to both Houses within three months on this issue. In the broader context, it is an issue about which debate will take place in any case. The rejection of this...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: We are talking about a small amount of time in the first eight years of a child's life. In that context, the cost of a paid parental leave provision on an annual basis would be small. While some people may decide to take it in blocks at an early stage in a child's life, the majority will probably try to spread it over the eight years. Along with many organisations with an interest in the...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 2: In page 3, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: "(2) The Minister shall, within three months of the enactment of this Act, cause a Report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas examining the feasibility of increasing the parental leave entitlement from 14 weeks to 25 weeks.". This amendment requests the Minister to consider increasing the parental...

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: The response of the Minister of State was very disappointing but predictable.

Seanad: Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: "3.—The Minister shall, on 31 March 2005 and annually thereafter, publish a statement detailing the reasons why parental leave may not be transferred between parents.". I do not understand why we do not make rules and laws that are flexible and that would make life easier for those who are going to avail of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: I want to express my deep concern about the way in which the Government parties are dealing with the democratic workings of this House. We have descended to a new low today, which does not do justice to the people or to the Members of this House. To treat Senator Norris's Civil Partnership Bill in such a shabby fashion does not become any of us.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: This is a moderate proposal recognising that many people live together, be they in a same sex relationship or as heterosexual couples. This is a moderate proposal which the Government was prepared to vote down and it would not even allow a sensible debate to continue on the Bill.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Feb 2005)

Sheila Terry: The Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform are on record as speaking in support of such proposals.