Results 841-860 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Mar 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: Question 462: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she expects to have enacted legislation to regulate the use of sunbeds by the end of the 29th Dáil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10124/07]

Written Answers — Garda Recruitment: Garda Recruitment (6 Mar 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on changing the entry requirements for an Garda Síochána in relation to a second language to facilitate people with dyslexia. [8435/07]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (27 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: Question 290: To ask the Minister for Finance the figure for income generated from the 21% VAT rate on condoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7261/07]

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: Question 378: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding matters in Darfur; and the pressure he is bringing to bear on UN intervention in the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7260/07]

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: The Labour Party is to be commended for introducing this Bill because it has brought the issue into sharp focus. As Deputy Andrews stated, the Government is responsible for being a little tardy in dealing with this issue. It puts it up to us as to whether we are prepared to legislate to grant equality to all citizens. I have difficulties with the motion before us this evening. My instinct...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: I cannot deny I have difficulties with it. However, in another sense, if we are to consider this legislation we must do so in an extremely comprehensive way. Work is under way in the Department and I do not accept the Minister has done nothing. He has done a lot as has the Taoiseach in — I do not want to use the word but — embracing the gay and lesbian communities. They made an...

Civil Unions Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: My attitude when sitting here last night listening to the debate was to question why we have not brought forward such legislation already. As the Minister pointed out, complications exist. When one is in Government and receives advice from the Attorney General, it must be heeded. It is correct to provide for comprehensive legislation in this area. Raising this matter on Private Members'...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: It must come as a crushing blow to Fine Gael to discover that its proposal is highly illegal. It is unfortunate that the party did not carry out the requisite research before introducing the Bill. Nonetheless, the legislation provides us with the opportunity to discuss this important issue and for that we should be grateful. I raised this matter on the Adjournment in October 2004. When...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: It will not do anything. All it will do is require that a percentage of biofuels——

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: ——be mixed into fossil fuels. However, there is nothing to state that this must be done in Ireland and there is no encouragement for farmers to grow the relevant crops to develop an indigenous bio-fuels industry. I have no doubt that the Brazilians, who have been spearheading developments in this area for many years, would see this as a major opportunity. I would not begrudge them such...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: ——and an indigenous industry being developed. Earlier this week, the Minister made a commitment to ensure that bio-fuels will represent 5.75% of Ireland's transport fuel market by 2009. This, however, should not be the limit of our ambition; it should be only the start of it. When I read my Adjournment debate contribution from 2004, I discovered how far we have come. I have no doubt...

Biofuels (Blended Motor Fuels) Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (14 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: I am sorry that I missed Deputy Naughten's contribution. I thought as the Deputy does until I investigated this matter and discovered that the Bill does not provide opportunities for the development of an indigenous industry. In such circumstances, I must unfortunately state that I cannot support Fine Gael's Bill.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (13 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: Question 600: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will explain his decision in January 2007 to further delay the introduction of the BER directive 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4819/07]

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (13 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: Question 601: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in putting in place a system for training independent building inspectors to operate the building energy rating directive 2002 in order to facilitate compliance with Ireland's legal requirements under this directive by 1 January 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Health Service Reform: Motion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: I thank the Opposition for giving me this opportunity to speak about the challenging circumstances we are facing in the health care system. It is challenging because reform was needed. The Department of Health and Children is lucky to have the Minister, Deputy Harney, at the helm because she is courageous, determined and brave.

Health Service Reform: Motion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: The Department has waited for a long time to have a Minister like her. She has taken to her task with the reforming zeal one would expect from a Progressive Democrats Minister. I would like to discuss two aspects of the Government's amendment to this motion. I refer firstly to what I call the "restoration programme", whereby 1,000 beds in public hospitals which are currently designated for...

Health Service Reform: Motion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: This is phenomenal. I can hear the Deputy giving out about it but he cannot argue with the facts.

Health Service Reform: Motion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: How can the Deputy say that? It is not wrong.

Health Service Reform: Motion (Resumed) (7 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: In 2002 there were waiting lists of between two and five years. Whatever else one can say, nobody wishes to see a patient waiting longer than necessary. The way the National Treatment Purchase Fund has operated has been phenomenally successful. It provides choice for patients and, more importantly, it means the patient is relieved of the painful symptoms they had to endure. It is telling...

Female Genital Mutilation. (6 Feb 2007)

Fiona O'Malley: I am grateful to have an opportunity to discuss this important issue today, the date chosen to focus attention on the eradication of female genital mutilation. I feel it is incumbent upon me to raise this issue. The United Nations Family Planning Association and UNICEF estimate that every day approximately 6,000 girls are subjected to this cruel fate. The practice is continuing and it says...