Results 9,221-9,240 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Seanad: Order of Business (26 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I also welcome the positive outcome of the marriage equality referendum and rather than thanking members of my own party and others who campaigned so positively for it, I wholeheartedly commend the members of civil society groups who convinced the citizens to come out in a such a resounding fashion. I would like to raise the issue of startups. Last Thursday, in Galway, I attended a meeting...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: International Agreements (14 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Minister to the House. The European Convention on Human Rights, which was drafted in 1950 and has been in force since 1953, has had a very positive effect on the lives of Europeans. I will not trouble the House with a list of all the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the positive effect they have had on this country and beyond. An effect that can be seen is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: International Agreements (14 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Minister for his assurances. One of the defining moments in our recent history was the constitutional settlement of Northern Ireland, on which people North and South of the Border voted. I do not think it should be undermined for any short-term political expediency in Westminster. As the Minister rightly said, human rights formed an integral part of that treaty not only as a...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I met representatives of the volunteer centre in Galway this morning as part of a briefing on National Volunteering Week 2015. They outlined the progress they have made. Ireland ranks very highly with regard to volunteerism. Approximately 20% of people in this country do not volunteer because they do not know where to access volunteering opportunities or how to get involved in the process....

Seanad: Early Child Care: Statements (13 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Minister to the house for this important debate on early child care. A recent newspaper report indicated a third of women in this country could not avail of work if they wished to due to the cost of child care. Several reports highlight the issues of the quality and cost of child care. The 2012 starting well index, published by The Economistintelligence unit, attempts to rate...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the distinguished former Senators and congratulate them and other members of the working group on completing this report so speedily. Most political commentators have praised the report. The decision in the referendum on abolishing the Seanad illustrates the desire of the people to retain this institution. However, during the campaign and in the aftermath it became clear that...

Seanad: Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform 2015: Statements (5 May 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: -----when at this time, as no changes have yet taken place, the majority of the citizens of Ireland residing here do not have a say in who is elected to the Seanad. The proposal in that respect is positive. I have one question for the former Senators regarding a recommendation of the implementation group that will have to report to the Taoiseach. Considering their experience in this House,...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Motion (29 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I move: That Seanad Éireann: noting that: - 330,000 jobs were lost in this country during the tenure of the last Government; - unemployment peaked at 15.1% prior to the effects of the present Government’s job strategy being felt; - unemployment is on a steady downward curve; and - jobs are being created in all sections of the economy and across every skill-set; further...

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Motion (29 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Action Plan for Jobs: Motion (29 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. What is clear is the success story he has within his Department and what the Government has done since we came into office in 2011. It is important we remind people of the difficulties that citizens had to go through since 2011. The only way we will eradicate poverty and achieve the services in areas such as health, education and housing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business of Joint Committee
The Creative Economy: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank witnesses for their informative contributions. In Mr. Stokes's written submission, he referred to the success of the music industry and the State assisting artists in this regard. He referred to the fact that there were few State supports. What is Mr Stokes's view on the artists' tax exemption? It has had a positive impact on those starting out in their music careers, although it...

Seanad: Order of Business (23 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the announcement by Apple that it will apply for planning permission next week for the data centre based in Derrydonnell near Athenry. The application will include an environmental impact survey requesting permission to build a single storey data centre building, a logistics and administration building, a maintenance building, two small fibre huts, a security hut, an ESB substation...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Committee Stage (21 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: The Creative Economy: Discussion (21 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I apologise for being late. I welcome the witnesses. What would they like to see with regard to the forthcoming spatial strategy? The fear is that one wants to appease everyone, so what are their views on creating specific industrial and service clusters, particularly in the west? For example, areas like Castlebar and Letterkenny could be focused on where there will be a greater impact...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: The Creative Economy: Discussion (21 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Is Mr. Brannigan part of that process? Does he have an input to the city and county councils with regard to that bid? Is that on the cards, how best to pitch it? Other cities will also be bidding for it, so is that a conflict?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I raise the issue of entrepreneurship and, in particular, commend a new local group in Galway, Startup Galway, whose aim is to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the area. Galway has two start-up clusters, one being in the tech sector and the other in the biotech area. It has several national research labs, including the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, formerly known as DERI, and the...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: This week the High Court is on circuit in Galway to hear personal injuries actions. I know of one individual who is going to court for the third time in 12 months with a view to getting his case heard. He has had at least four years preparation going to court and at least another year to have his case heard. The cost in terms of taking time off work and engaging solicitors and so on is...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (15 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I welcome the legislation and the introduction of the back to work family dividend scheme. The need for this scheme was highlighted in 2011 in an academic study compiled by Hugh Frazer and Maurice Devlin from NUI Maynooth. One of the findings to emerge most strongly from recent EU work on child poverty is that the work intensity of households is...

Seanad: Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Second Stage (15 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Low Pay Commission: Chairperson Designate (14 Apr 2015)

Hildegarde Naughton: I welcome Dr. de Buitléir. My first question relates to responsibility. The commission's role is to advise the Minister, who has ultimate power. It would take a very brave Minister not to increase the minimum wage if that was the recommendation of the commission. If the commission had independent decision-making power, it would be difficult for the Government not to increase it, even...