Results 9,201-9,220 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (9 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. My reason for raising the matter this morning was to emphasise the importance of forward planning in University Hospital Galway. Over decades we have had add-ons in dribs and drabs and the hospital is still not capable of dealing with the demands placed on it. We must also consider a plan for the future, taking into account the congested...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: After the severe storm damage caused in recent years in various parts of the country, including Galway, there was a Government commitment to provide for coastal and river flood protection works. I am glad to say a risk assessment is now taking place in Galway with a view to drawing down funding from the OPW, the lead Government agency in providing long-term flood defences. The Government's...

Seanad: Conditions of Work: Motion (8 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Minister to the House and welcome this constructive motion put forward by the Independent Senators. This discussion is timely because over the past few years we have seen manifestations of very sharp practice by some employers. They seemingly value the euro over the well-being or entitlements of their employees. Every business has a need and a right to make a profit....

Seanad: Conditions of Work: Motion (8 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ar 10.30 a.m. amárach.

Seanad: Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to draw attention to a report that was issued yesterday by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport entitled Transport Trends: An Overview of Ireland's Transport Sector. Among other things, it noted that Galway is one of four national urban areas that has experienced a decreased level of service due to congestion. Anyone who knows Galway would hardly find such a conclusion...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (7 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Next Tuesday.

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Jul 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to raise again the issue of the proposed greenway between Galway and Dublin, particularly the proposals concerning the route from Loughrea, Craughwell, Clarinbridge and Oranmore into Galway city. Following discussions between the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, myself and a number of other Oireachtas Members, he instructed his Department to engage in further consultation on...

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I refer to hospice care, in particular an announcement made in Galway this week, where a Galway hospice is planning to submit an application for planning permission for a 26 bed future-proofed unit in Merlin Park which it plans to have open within five years. It is currently planning a fundraising drive to support the capital costs. Even when the country was awash with money under previous...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (30 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This legislation represents a significant and positive reform to Ireland's industrial relations law. It enhances and protects workers' rights, particularly those of low-paid workers, and offers certainty for employers in terms of wage costs. The Bill is quite simple in its intent, providing for the reintroduction of a mechanism for the...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (30 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership: Discussion (23 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Along with other groups and agencies, such as the Galway chamber, I am very much in favour of TTIP. As has been highlighted here by contributors, there are some understandable concerns around the ISDS mechanism. Parties to the treaty all operate transparent and independent legal systems. I am just not convinced on allowing investors to take legal action in the domestic courts. I would...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I raise a matter which was raised in the House last week regarding the carrying out by Irish Water of refurbishment works in the Oranmore area. There was a great deal of concern in the business community in Oranmore at the fact that the works were taking place during the peak summer season. Last Friday, Oireachtas Members representing the Galway area met with Irish Water and representatives...

Seanad: National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (17 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the legislation and the establishment of the Low Pay Commission. This is critical legislation. It is important that we have reasoned analysis on an annual basis of the costs of employment in the State. I thank the Minister of State for his excellent work in this area.

Seanad: Tackling Obesity in Ireland: Statements (17 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Minister. There are two points I wish to make in this debate. The first is that education is key to preventing childhood obesity and the second is that tackling obesity requires support for those who are affected. We have increasing rates of type two diabetes, especially in younger people. We also have increasing rates of cancer. According to Professor Donal O'Shea, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yesterday was world elder abuse awareness day, which was commemorated in a number of ways across the country. There was a public lecture at NUI Galway by the school of nursing and midwifery. The objective of the day was to raise awareness of elder abuse and how prevalent it unfortunately is. It is not confined to residential settings but can be carried out by a friend, neighbour, family...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I also raise the issue of lead pipe contamination. Thousands of cases are coming to light, including 84 such cases in Galway. As Irish Water's work continues I am sure more will be discovered. I am pleased the Government has committed to assist those in financial need to carry out remedial work.I also call on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come to the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I raise the issue of elderly patients being accommodated on trolleys in many accident and emergency departments across the country. A man aged almost 80 years was on a trolley in University Hospital Galway, UHG, for three days over the weekend before eventually being given a bed in the medical assessment unit. That is unacceptable. Everyone can appreciate that doctors and nurses do...

Seanad: Yeats 2015: Statements (9 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I also welcome the Minister to the House. Coming from the west of Ireland, I feel a particular connection to Yeats and am delighted to have the opportunity to speak tonight. He was, of course, our national poet and regarded as one of the foremost figures of English literature in the 20th century. He was also the first Irish recipient of the Nobel Prize in literature. Later Irish laureates...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Strategic Plan: Bord na Móna (9 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the witnesses. Bord na Móna is an important State asset. Mr. Quinn outlined that last year, its profits were €33 million. This is quite a turnaround when one looks back at Bord na Móna in 1998 when significant State intervention was needed. I know when the previous Government was listing State companies that were to examine their strategy and appropriate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Strategic Plan: Bord na Móna (9 Jun 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: With regard to the ownership model, the unique nature of what Bord na Móna is doing and this diversification, I would have my doubts about flotation or other methods. Has Mr. Quinn explored that as part of this plan?