Results 661-680 of 875 for speaker:Catherine Ardagh

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: The €5 million communications unit has taken heed of callers to "Liveline" and of victims who presented to the finance committee. What we really need to see now is action and not more rhetoric. We need to see action by the banks and we need to see the Government ensuring that pressure is being put on the banks to ensure that these customers are compensated and that they are given...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: Is it €5 million a year?

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: No new funds-----

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: Yesterday was International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Ireland has some of the most staggering poverty statistics with 59% of lone parent households currently experiencing severe deprivation. There are some 3,000 children living in emergency accommodation and lone parents continue to struggle to make ends meet on the one-parent family payment and family income supplement. It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I convey my sympathy and that of the Fianna Fáil group to the families of Ms Clare O'Neill, County Waterford, Mr. Michael Pyke, County Tipperary, and Mr. Fintan Goss, County Louth, who tragically lost their lives yesterday in Hurricane Ophelia. I congratulate those who worked tirelessly yesterday on the front line from the ESB, Dublin and other fire brigade services around the country,...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: Today I would like to raise two matters, the first of which is hidden homeless. There is a cohort of people who are relying on the charity of their siblings, parents and grandparents to live and to bring up their families. A lady came to me who, along with her four children, was living with her sister. She was sleeping on the sofa in the living room with her four children. There were ten...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: It is my pleasure to speak on the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017, brought forward by Fianna Fáil before Seanad Éireann. A significant contribution to the formulation of the Bill came from Mental Health Reform, representatives of which are in the Gallery today. I thank them for the support they have given to Fianna Fáil and particularly Deputy James Browne in spearheading...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to address this issue. As my colleague, Senator Black, said, his commitment and dedication to this issue is evident and that is most welcome. I reaffirm my gratitude and thanks to Deputy James Browne for putting a lot of work into this Bill and bringing it to this Stage. He has done that with the help of Mental Health Reform, especially...

Seanad: Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (11 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Oct 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: Despite your comments, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, as I will not be here to comment on the budget later, I will touch slightly on it. My entire contribution on the Order of Business will not be on the budget. Today, I rise to reflect on parts of the budget. Like last year, the influence Fianna Fáil had on the budget has ensured that it is more progressive and supported those who need...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: Today I would like to raise two matters, the first being respite services and the second being the rail strike. With regard to respite services, there are over 360,000 people who act as carers. They have been very badly affected by funding cuts and staff shortages. The result is that many carers are often left in a position in which they have no time off, which is having a negative impact...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Remit and Legislative Agenda: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (28 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister for attending and I congratulate her on her new role. I also congratulate Mr. McKeon on his new role. My ears perked up when the Minister mentioned that all social insurance benefits would be extended to the self-employed. Can she confirm whether that will include illness benefit? Will that be announced in the budget or did I hear her incorrectly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Remit and Legislative Agenda: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (28 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: A minor issue which has been raised time and again in my constituency clinics is the income threshold for the fuel allowance. Deputy Brady raised a separate issue relating to the fuel allowance. A small adjustment could be made to the threshold but it would be meaningful for people who are not eligible for the allowance. There are ancillary benefits in various areas around the county when...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Remit and Legislative Agenda: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (28 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: In different companies-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection: Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Remit and Legislative Agenda: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (28 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I will contact the Minister's office because I have a specific case.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I refer to cancer services. Cancer Week 2017 runs from 25 September until 1 October. Since 1996, when the first cancer strategy was launched, Ireland has prided itself on providing a world-class cancer service which adheres to international guidelines and best practice. However, we are hearing reports of a deterioration in the service, with delays in the commencement of chemotherapy...

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Sep 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I stand in the beautiful Ceramics Room of the National Museum of Ireland and welcome all of my colleagues back for what I hope will be a fruitful new term. We, in Fianna Fáil, are very grateful to the staff of the National Museum of Ireland for facilitating our temporary relocation. We promise to ensure the integrity of the museum will be maintained and respected at all times...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: On the basis that we will not be here again, I thank and commend the Cathaoirleach's team and Bridget Doody's and Martin Groves's team for all the help they have given us this year. I would also like to move that No. 7 on the Order Paper, the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017, be taken today. I was delighted to see that the Bill, which seeks to amend and extend the 2011 Mental Health Act...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: They did acknowledge cross-party support.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jul 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: I am.