Results 701-720 of 873 for speaker:Averil Power

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: If the official accompanying the Minister knows the answer I will be very impressed.

Seanad: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (20 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I supports the call of Senator Ó Domhnaill for a code of practice with regard to pets. The Minister is aware of codes in other countries, such as New Zealand, which has a clear code of conduct for looking after dogs. Unfortunately, when people take home puppies or receive them as gifts, they are not aware of the care a dog needs and the cost and responsibility that comes with owning a pet....

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I wish to share time with Senator Ned O'Sullivan.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (20 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I join colleagues in supporting the call for the constitutional convention to be given the opportunity to discuss real political reform. I do not see how it can in any meaningful sense discuss electoral reform for the other House without looking at how it fits into the overall picture from local government to national Parliament to this House. All three need to be examined together if there...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Search Warrants) Bill 2012: Second Stage (19 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss this Bill. Given the nature and public importance of the cases involved, I assure him that Fianna Fáil will co-operate in bringing it through the House before the summer recess. We fully understand the importance of providing certainty in this area. It is important that gardaí are given the powers they require to counter terrorism and...

Seanad: Euroscience Open Forum 2012: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and join with him in welcoming the ESOF that will take place in Dublin this July. As he pointed out, it gives us an opportunity to showcase the best of Irish science and all the exciting developments in it to the international science community. With 5,000 delegates in the Convention Centre, Dublin, it is also a great opportunity to showcase it...

Seanad: Euroscience Open Forum 2012: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: Another issue that was looked at previously which needs greater priority is getting more women into science. It is positive that the Euroscience forum specifically has a workshop on that. Unfortunately, women are still highly under-represented, even from the third level stage.

Seanad: Euroscience Open Forum 2012: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: In science and technology, often the role models are seen as men in white coats, a comic guy from "The Simpsons" or the characters from "Futurama". It still has a masculine image and I ask the Minister of State to look at that.

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House. I record my annoyance that this question is being answered by the Minister of State on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government rather than on behalf of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform because the impetus for the question arises from a specific commitment given by the Minister,...

Seanad: Water and Sewerage Schemes (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I thank the Minister of State. He said the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, stated the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, agreed to investigate the matter with the former Department, and that the latter Department subsequently raised the issue with the former. It does not outline the nature of the response, evaluation or...

Seanad: Referendum on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: The Senator is being very generous to the Taoiseach.

Seanad: Referendum on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I welcome the opportunity to comment on the recent referendum result and join Senator Michael Mullins in welcoming the "Yes" vote. While it is one small part of the solution to Ireland and Europe's economic problems, it is an important part. Personally, I was very relieved that people decided to vote "Yes" in the referendum. We discussed many of the arguments before the vote in terms of...

Seanad: Referendum on the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution: Statements (14 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I know the Taoiseach is not keen on doing it. It is important for people at home to have reassurance that the Government is on top of its game and is happy to answer all questions. It makes it easier for people to go about their own business and be reassured that people know what they are doing. I welcome the "Yes" vote but other steps must be taken.

Seanad: NAMA and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Transparency Bill 2011: Second Stage (6 Jun 2012)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister to the House. I join my colleagues in highlighting the need for greater transparency in the way NAMA does its work. It is a crucial factor in having public confidence in the institution. Other issues also need to be prioritised to ensure people and the taxpayer have confidence in the institution and feel it will deliver value for money and its social objectives, as...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2012)

Averil Power: I move amendment No. 5: In page 67, to delete line 29 and substitute the following: "(b) at least two people who are representatives of learners.". I welcome the Minister of State. I spoke on this matter on Second Stage and I will not repeat what I said at that point. The purpose of the Bill is to improve the student experience and to ensure the education students across the entire sector...

Seanad: Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2012)

Averil Power: We will be pressing the amendment. Given the whole function of the authority will be about the student experience and ensuring it is top class, I do not believe having two learner representatives on a board of eight is unreasonable. It was different when there were separate agencies covering different sectors. Now that only one agency will examine the whole and diverse experience from...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Averil Power: I thank Senators on all sides of the House for their contributions to the debate and thank the Ministers, Deputies Shatter and Quinn, for attending and giving us their views. I reiterate the commitment I made at the start. I had hoped we could agree on this issue as a matter of principle and finalise the text later on Committee Stage. I still believe it would be good to send out the...

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Averil Power: The Senator knows I am happy to accept her amendments.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Averil Power: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now." Question put and agreed to.

Seanad: Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (2 May 2012)

Averil Power: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I welcome the Minister to the House and I welcome representatives from the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, the teacher unions, BelongTo, TENI, Gay Doctors Ireland and Ógra Fianna Fáil who are in the Gallery. We are dealing with an issue of major concern to each of these groups, namely, the threat posed to thousands of teachers,...