Results 721-740 of 1,311 for speaker:Sheila Terry

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: That is important information.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: That information is relevant to today's debate.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: It is important we are given the statistics regarding the number of foreign adoptions vis-À-vis Irish adoptions. It is obvious from the statistics given that the number of adoptions has grown considerably since 1995. However, very few Irish babies have been adopted into Irish families since 1995 because, thankfully, mothers in difficult situations are now able to keep their babies. The...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, line 17, after "placement" to insert ", or earlier by agreement,". This amendment seeks to make the Bill more user-friendly and clear. There may be circumstances in which it would be better for both parents and employers to begin adoptive leave just before the placement date. The provisions of the Bill in this regard are rigid. The amendment seeks to provide...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I will take on board what the Minister has stated before Report Stage. I was about to take exception to Senator Walsh's comments that this was an imposition on employers. I was even more surprised that the Minister endorsed what he said.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: At this stage, when we are dealing with equality issues, we should not even be mentioning such ideas. A very small number of people adopt children each year. Any privileges that are extended to them are done so by right. We should not speak of this as an imposition on employers, it is a right. Employers have to accept that and I take exception to the tone of language employed here when...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 2: In page 4, line 18, to delete "16" and substitute "18". We should have taken amendment No. 2 with amendment No. 1 because it reiterates that the leave period granted to adoptive parents should be 18 weeks. In view of the fact that I am reconsidering whether the two weeks prior to placement should be granted, I will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 3: In page 4, line 19, after "period" to insert "shall be reviewed annually and". I welcome the fact the Minister has the power to extend the period of adoptive leave. if this is to be properly utilised, the Minister should be obliged to review the period from time to time. In this amendment I propose that he should review it on an annual basis.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: The Minister should not take my comment out of context.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: The Minister will be obliged to review this matter from time to time. I was simply trying to make it an obligation to review it annually. That was not too much to ask but I will withdraw the amendment.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I move amendment No. 5: In page 5, line 35, after "meetings" to insert ", including any overseas meetings, familiarisation visits, interviews or assessments,". This section, and indeed the Bill, takes no account of parents who adopt children from outside the country. That is the position for most adoptive parents due to the small number of babies that are put up for adoption here....

Seanad: Order of Business. (26 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I have sought a debate on pensions on a number of occasions. I ask the Leader to ensure such a debate is held before the summer recess. It is important in light of the irregularities that have been highlighted in one of our major banks. I would like an opportunity to point out several irregularities in the pensions industry. Senator Hanafin mentioned the Eircom flotation and stated the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I wish to ask the Leader if she could organise a debate on child care, particularly on the delivery of affordable child care, given we are trying to encourage as many parents as possible to return to the workforce. In many cases it is impossible for them in the absence of local, affordable child care. With the indulgence of the Cathaoirleach, I wish to again raise a matter I raised on the...

Seanad: Business of Seanad. (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: It is another broken promise.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I welcome the Minister to the House to deal with this important Bill. Many parents and parents-to-be will also welcome it. I regret that it has taken three years to bring it forward in contrast with the three weeks required to bring forward the Immigration Act. We can see where the Government places the emphasis. There is no excuse for the inordinate delay in bringing forward the Bill. It is...

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: It is good that we have some women here.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage. (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: We should not forget about lone parents.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: I asked a number of other questions and, while I welcome the Minister of State who has provided us with additional information, perhaps I could remind him of my questions. I have a particular concern about the fact——

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: Yes, but I just want to get my questions answered.

Seanad: Adoptive Leave Bill 2004: Second Stage (Resumed). (20 May 2004)

Sheila Terry: The first question is about the 16 weeks' adoptive leave compared to the 18 weeks for maternity leave. Adoptive parents should be entitled to preparation time prior to receiving the child.