Results 621-640 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Seanad: Energy Policy: Motion. (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I am pleased to speak after Senator Hannigan as I can provide some statistics on what the Government has done. The Senator should not leave just yet as he will miss the reply. At the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security today, it was announced that there will be 3,000 MW of renewable energy from the third gate of the available schemes. This is a tangible example of what is...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I was glad when Senator Ross spoke, I began to see the value of Independent Senators. He promised he would take a measured and temperate line and acknowledged that the Government has not wasted all the money at its disposal. There are some 2 million people — the Minister referred to this in his speech — now employed in the country. This is an important point which the Opposition tends...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I do not necessarily agree with Senator Ross's points about FÁS. It is easy to take a swipe, as he has done, but we should not forget the many people trained and re-trained within the organisation. A review of the work of FÁS is to be welcomed, as it would tell us where we need to make changes and where services are no longer required or no longer performing the function for which they...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: It started this week. Senator Buttimer wishes everything happened yesterday, but it does not work in that way.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I hope Senators will contain themselves and allow me make my contribution.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: We should remember, as Senator Ross acknowledged, that the fundamentals of the economy are sound. Were it not for the construction sector, the economy would still be growing at 4% per annum, something of which we should be proud. It concerns me that some people speak with such negativity when discussing the economy, because when outside influences begin to hear this they, in turn, will...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: The mantra of the Opposition, and especially Fine Gael, is that we have wasted the boom.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I refer again to the figure of in excess of 1 million people who——

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: Unemployment in this country is at a level which is the envy of the rest of Europe.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I would appreciate silence while I make my points. We have an enviable level of employment in this country and we should not lose sight of this. In areas where there is employment, people are able to build, grow and contribute to the economy. It is easy to sit on the far side of the House and throw jibes at the Government, saying we have wasted the boom. However, we should not forget all...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: We should remember that we are not yet in a recession. We are experiencing a slowdown. Yesterday's presentation was not the announcement of a new economic strategy, but a recognition——

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——that we are not going back to the spiral of borrowing and decline that happened previously. This is a very prudent and responsible response. It is an initial response, not the end of a strategy. It is a recognition that we are not reverting to what was done during the 1970s and 1980s, which is welcome. I do not mind using the term "cutbacks", although "adjustment" may be more...

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: This brings with it a discipline which is important. It makes no sense to sit on the Opposition side and seek an increase in expenditure in several areas——

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: ——where it previously looked for cuts.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: A calm approach is needed.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: There is no need for a knee-jerk reaction, which is what we are getting. We are examining——

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: The fact that these measures were taken yesterday is an indication that is not the case. I commend the Minister for the work done.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: I look forward to examining how we can ensure the economy is allowed to continue to grow in these more difficult circumstances.

Seanad: Economic Policy: Statements (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: That is not a bad situation.

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (9 Jul 2008)

Fiona O'Malley: It is particularly sad to be acknowledging the contribution of a serving Member of the Oireachtas on the occasion of his death. It is incredible to think that Séamus Brennan, who was so full of life, has passed away. As the Taoiseach stated this morning, Séamus was out canvassing in favour of the Lisbon treaty recently even though he was so ill. I have known Séamus all my life. I got to...