Results 8,521-8,540 of 21,149 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald
- Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: In April.
- Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: By the State.
- Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: Similar to what was done before.
- Leaders' Questions (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: On Monday, the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Muldoon, issued a report that is a damning indictment of the Government. His report dealt with those children who are awaiting scoliosis surgery. As the Taoiseach well knows, in some cases children living in absolute agony are waiting up to a year and a half for vital treatment. Dr. Muldoon's report highlights the reality that children with...
- Commission of Investigation Announcement on Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: It goes almost beyond the constraints of our vocabulary to find the right words to describe the shock and horror all of us felt on hearing of the discovery of human remains at Tuam by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. As shocked and horrified as we have been, many of us were not wholly surprised. As a mother, a citizen of this State and a human being, I am outraged...
- Commission of Investigation Announcement on Tuam Mother and Baby Home: Statements (Resumed) (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: Perhaps Deputy Funchion is on her way.
- Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (22 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: 182. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase bed capacity at the Central Mental Hospital; the number of beds available from 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/17]
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: The Taoiseach has said repeatedly today that it is the role and responsibility of the two large parties to get the Executive up and running. We know that. I want to unburden the Taoiseach of any need he might feel to keep repeating that. I want to remind him that in order for us to do that we have to have delivery of those things that were agreed. That means the DUP, Sinn Féin and...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: That is mad.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: Agreed. I know it is not the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's fault.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: If we had more time, the Department of the Taoiseach's strategy statement for 2016 to 2019 would demand and really deserves more rigorous and critical scrutiny than we can afford to it today. The Government's multiple failures regarding housing and homelessness, health, including mental health, and water, are just some of the issues that expose the inadequacy of the strategic objectives set...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: Yes.
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: In the section of A Programme for a Partnership Government on making partnership in democracy work, the Government commits to transparent oversight. This includes building on freedom of information reforms and committing to further changes, including a more open freedom of information regime. Under the Act, people have the right to access records held by bodies under the aegis of the...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: The point I am making is that they are not vexatious or frivolous matters. For example, the time taken to release information is significantly longer than the four weeks specified and, in fact, it can often take up to three months. We have found that only after repeated calls, e-mails and virtually wrestling with bureaucracy, which, by the way, does not seem terribly happy with the idea of...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: I am not surprised to hear that the number of requests increased once the fee was waived. Half the concern about the fee was that it would act as a disincentive for people to lodge freedom of information requests. I am certainly not trying to be a champion for vexatious or frivolous requests, such as the one outlined by the Taoiseach about sandwiches and the cost of a bowl of soup, but it...
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: So it is slightly down, but nevertheless-----
- Ceisteanna - Questions: Freedom of Information Data (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: Will the Taoiseach remind me how many of these were refused and how many went to appeal? If the Taoiseach does not have the information to hand, he might provide it to us afterwards. What was the reason for refusal? Were they all asking about sandwiches and bowls of soup?
- Order of Business (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: I listened with interest to the Taoiseach's comments during his visit to the United States last week. I welcome his remarks in respect of the plight of the undocumented Irish citizens in the US. I also noted in Philadelphia the Taoiseach announced the Government would hold a long-overdue referendum in respect of voting rights in presidential elections. As the Taoiseach is aware, we have...
- Death of Martin McGuinness: Expressions of Sympathy (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: Above anything else, Martin McGuinness was a proud Derryman. There is no doubt that his childhood and young life in the Bogside formed him, shaped him and defined his character. Martin was born in 1950 into an Orange, discriminatory state. He, his family and his kind were regarded as second class citizens. They endured terror. Martin, a person of courage, chose to stand up and be...
- Leaders' Questions (21 Mar 2017)
Mary Lou McDonald: The Governments need to fulfil their commitments too, I am sure.