Results 601-620 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I am delighted with this amendment. I have often argued that the European Union (Scrutiny) Act 2002, which has been in place for more than five years, needs to be updated. I am glad the Minister of State has accepted that it is important to include in the 2002 Act some means of updating the arrangements in this regard. This method is somewhat isolated because I am not sure there is public...

Seanad: European Communities Bill 2006 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (4 Apr 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I thank the Minister of State, who has always made it easy for us to process Bills. I also thank the staff of the Minister of State who helped on the many occasions we encountered problems. Much of the content of this Bill was technical and I appreciate the back-up I receive.

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Apr 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I identify with many of the points raised on special educational needs. There are some areas which could be enhanced. I have heard the Minister many times indicating her commitment on the issue, and she has supplied resources to deal with the problem. I wonder is there a lack of co-ordination between the education stakeholders. I will give a small example of how the City of Dublin VEC...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Ann Ormonde: He was in the House last week.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Bannon will get all the information he needs from the transcript.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Apr 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I agree with what Senator Tuffy stated. I would welcome a debate on divorce ten years on and on how the concept of family will be redefined. The entire fabric of society has changed and we must consider the role of family law and how it should be reformed. I do not know whether such a debate is possible in this session. The reform of the Central Applications Office is an issue close to my...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I, too, was very disappointed when I read the broad statement that only those who have the expertise and can make a substantial contribution to a board will be appointed. The categories of persons who cannot be appointed are listed and it is stated that no Oireachtas Members or local authority members can be appointed. I, as an Oireachtas Member, would have difficulty being appointed to a...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I cannot understand why a local authority member is barred from board membership although he or she might have expertise and could make a contribution. I therefore have great difficulty accepting the section under discussion but I accept it is the Minister's prerogative to include it. I would like her to revisit it in some way. I do not intend to create trouble but Iam concerned that this...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: ——for many local authority members who——

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: Let me have my say.

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: Senator Browne could be barred also. He should not worry, he will have enough time to say what he wants. Fine local authority members are serving throughout the country. Many of them may not wish to serve on these boards but others may and would be very good at it. The section should be removed. People with relevant expertise should be allowed to make a contribution. If a member of a...

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: This section should be removed.

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I urge the Minister to revisit this matter. I understand the Minister's position. She is afraid of conflicts of interest developing. We are all sufficiently experienced to know what would constitute a conflict of interest.

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I know that.

Seanad: Health Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I feel very strongly about this issue. It is not fair that one should be excluded because one is a public representative. Such people have made significant commitments to their localities and they know these areas well, yet they are barred from making a contribution. We are all bright enough to know our place. I would certainly not abuse my position, no matter where I am. It is only fair...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I support the calls made by Senator Brian Hayes and Senator O'Toole seeking the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, to attend the House. I was disturbed when I saw the programme on letters sent to victims of sexual abuse regarding their legal situation. I do not doubt the Minister is working on this matter and will come to the House during the next week, if she can find...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share time with Senator Mansergh. I was taken aback by the text of the motion. I am sure the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was equally surprised by the text. I agree that all good governments should have an ethical foreign policy and that it should be the basic tenet with which any sophisticated, democratic nation conducts its foreign affairs. However, I am...

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: When talking about something being ethical we are talking about moral principles. The problem with moral principles is that they vary from person to person. When two people are asked their views on any controversial area and they will invariably give two different answers. No two people share the exact same moral principles just as no two people share the exact same opinions.

Seanad: Ethical Foreign Policy: Motion (28 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: Effectively that is what the motion comes down to. Senator Norris may have different views on how the Government should implement foreign policy. I have no difficulty with that. He is entitled to think that way and express his views on areas in which he believes the Government should act differently. I am delighted with and have great confidence in the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Ann Ormonde: I am delighted to be here today because I spoke on this area relating to lone parents on Second Stage last night and was very concerned. This Bill reflects society's position on how to approach the issue of lone parents. We have started to establish infrastructure for co-ordination between various Departments. The Department of Education and Science has made reasonable progress in this...