Results 761-780 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. I thank and congratulate him and the Government on the Bill and the budget and the hard work that went into their preparation. It is to the credit of the Government that the economy continues to perform so well and the success may well continue for another 12 years. The Finance Bill is about real change and reform of the tax...
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: Let me add more.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: This Bill will remove all those on the minimum wage from the tax net. It will exclude workers on the average industrial wage from the highest tax rate. I have done some thinking on this issue. Let us compare 1997 with 2006. In 1997 the average industrial wage was â¬19,400 whereas in 2006 it is â¬32,000, an increase of about â¬12,000.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: Will the Senator hold on. There is also less tax.
- Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: Income is increasing while tax is reducing. Let me repeat that, income is increasing while tax is reducing. That is a lovely line. I ask Senators not to forget it when they are out and about. It is a nice line to have in one's thinking. It also means one has more money in one's pocket. I could not ask for more than that. Everybody would like to think they have more money in their pockets. ...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (28 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I support Senator O'Toole's comments. The Lisbon Agenda will be discussed later this week and we must focus on our teachers to achieve a knowledge-based economy. If teachers are not given the freedom to administer their responsibilities, it will not matter what kind of education system we have because it will not work. I welcome a debate on this issue. The Higher Education Authority has taken...
- Seanad: Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (22 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I will be brief given that the Bill is technical and my knowledge of the subject matter is limited. The legislation amends the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, which was introduced to give effect to the ratification by Ireland in 1967 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963. The purpose of the principal Act was to...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I agree with Senators' comments on the transfer of Guinness freight from rail to road and call for a debate on the matter. I also support Senator Henry on the lone-parent issue, which arose during yesterday's discussion on the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006. A recently published report on the matter called for a detailed discussion and statements on the new policy,...
- Seanad: Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Bill 2006: Second Stage. (21 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House. This is the first time I have spoken on this subject in which I have never taken a major interest. I have, however, taken an interest in this Bill because more than â¬13 billion of taxpayers' money is being invested in social welfare reform and pensions. It is necessary, therefore, to think clearly about how this money is being spent. I congratulate the...
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: The Senator himself was warned.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: The cheek of the Senator.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: For God's sake. The Senator is miserable.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (21 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: They do see their Deputies and Senators.
- Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I support the points raised by Senator O'Toole regarding the Marino institute. We need an urgent debate on it, and I am glad that we have not had one hitherto, since we daily read fresh reports indicating that confidence and trust have been totally undermined in that college. I have spoken to many of the lecturers there, and if the matter is not sorted out, it will destroy the college's whole...
- Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I was shocked by those Members who claimed that we are stifling debate and it is a bad day for democracy. I listened to Senator Brian Hayes claiming that he had the ambition to reform the Seanad. Before he entered the House, I spoke for years of reforming the Seanad. I will not use it, however, to undermine Government policy on this issue.
- Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I was happy to hear the assurance of the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs that this select committee should not be set up. The terms of reference would not stand up. I do not understand the purpose of this select committee. It would undermine the Government. If the Members opposite were on this side of the House, would they allow Government policy to be undermined? They...
- Seanad: Use of Irish Airports: Motion. (8 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: What kind of snide remark is that?
- Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. While I wish to speak on the Bill, I will deviate to reply to Senator Finucane. When I was a member of South Dublin County Council, I did not have any of those difficulties and I still have no such difficulties with equality of service or a pre-consultation process whenever I need to raise an issue with the council. That council also covers a...
- Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: Some weeks ago the Minister was in this House for statements on the planning process, which represented a golden opportunity for the Senator. I do not know why he did not raise the matter then.
- Seanad: Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Mar 2006)
Ann Ormonde: No, it is not. We are dealing with a different Bill today.