Results 821-840 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)

Ann Ormonde: The industry will still be there.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Dec 2005)

Ann Ormonde: Like other Senators, I seek a further discussion about the illegal price fixing outlined in the shocking programme last night. The motorist is being victimised and we have a duty to highlight this and to consider how we can deal with it. I support Senator O'Toole with regard to the new course that has been established. I wondered where this new child protection certificate course in Maynooth...

Seanad: Transport Policy: Statements. (1 Dec 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion on the historic transformation of transport in this country. Much time was invested in this plan. The consultation process began in 2000. It involved consideration of the reports, A Platform for Change and the strategic rail review, as well as consultation with the National Roads Authority, the Railway...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share time with Senator Kitt.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to the House to listen to this interesting debate. I always do some homework before coming here and every time I come here I change my mind about what I will say. I will start with——

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I would not change my mind about him. I made up my mind about him a long time ago. The number of deaths on our roads amounted to 354 in the first ten months of this year. What can one say? We all sing the same tune. It is absolutely disastrous.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I did not interrupt Senator Bannon. I ask the Senator to hold on. I am not finished. I have just started and I only have four minutes speaking time. The Opposition argues we must establish the road safety strategy. It is established. They discuss whether we should have random breath testing. A problem does exist with that and it has been highlighted. The Fine Gael Party well knows it is in...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: It is about people.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: It is about people on the roads. I will give a small example. I was travelling down the country last Monday on a side road. Fortunately I was driving slowly. A young fellow came at me and only that I was quite into the ditch I would not be here speaking today. This issue is about speeding and crossing white lines. It is not always about drink driving. It is about behavioural and attitude...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: Accidents occur at night time when less traffic is on the road but drivers speed more. The reason for that must also be examined. Most of those who die in accidents are young people, and many accidents involve heavy articulated trucks. Why is this happening? Why are so many young people——

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: It does not always have to do with police checks. It has to do with responsibility for one's behaviour.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: Every parent in this country should be able to instill in his or her children how to behave if they take a car onto the road. That is the bottom line. Let there be no doubt about it. Stating that we must have random breath testing and rolling out cameras deviates from that. Such measures are great and we want deterrents. However, it rests with parents and education. A cultural change must...

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: To follow on and touch on some of the issues raised by other Members and in light of the Irish Ferries dispute and how it will affect every worker and employer in the country, I call for a general debate on the concept of work, decency and fair play. Should our society be dictated by the mighty euro or should we examine our quality of life and the way Ireland will develop in future? I ask the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I reflect the views expressed by many Senators on the points system and league tables. It worries me that we have this clinical approach to education. Young people of 17 or 18 years of age with leaving certificates behave as 12 year olds because they never had a chance to grow up in a natural way, think about themselves as people, know the values around them and be involved in other aspects...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: That is a good one.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator Brian Hayes's comments on the protection of property. It is not just a rural subject but extends to urban areas. Local government has a role to play in lighting and security; insurance and alarm systems also have a role. This is a global debate so I ask the Acting Leader to place it on the agenda quickly.

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan. I am pleased the motion was tabled at this particular time in light of what has happened in recent days and weeks. It is important that we talk about juvenile crime because if we do not curb it now the next generation of gangs will emerge on our streets. I wish to deal with the amendment to the motion. I agree with the Minister of State...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I could not agree more with Senator O'Meara. The earlier the intervention the better. We must examine how best we move forward with intervention strategies. I could speak at length on this subject having been involved in this area for much of my career. I welcome the introduction of welfare conferencing by the Minister of State, which would involve probation officers, the Department of Social...

Seanad: Juvenile Offenders: Motion. (16 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I would welcome a back-up service in this regard. Teachers are aware of absenteeism and who is not contributing to the class, which are indicators that a problem may exist. It is important that we would get the infrastructure right in regard to education, social welfare, the probation service and the community at large. A multi-agency approach is required. I am not convinced that...

Seanad: Social Welfare Benefits: Motion. (9 Nov 2005)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate the Government on the progress made to date. The Government will spend more than €12 billion on welfare entitlements, double the figure of only four years ago. For every €3 of taxpayers' money spent by the State in 2005, €1 will go to welfare support. This year, welfare benefits and vital supports have increased by three times the...