Results 981-1,000 of 1,214 for speaker:Ann Ormonde

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: It is not avoiding the issue. It is part of the issue. We need professionals to deal with these young people. Occupational therapists are needed as are speech and language therapists. How do we get them?

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: We have to get them through training in our own colleges. If not, we must go on a recruitment drive outside the country to get them. I am glad the Department is taking that on board, but more needs to be done. I am not saying it is all rosy. I work in the system, as does Senator Burke, even though he is smiling to himself as if he knows it all.

Seanad: Autism Services: Statements (Resumed). (19 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am glad to see we are doing our best. I am asking the Minister of State to ensure, when this new Bill is enacted, that all these structures are put in place and to try to provide a service. Anyone looking at the programme on television the other night would have such sympathy for parents who are trying to handle these cases and are not able to get the backup they need from the Department....

Seanad: Development Co-operation Objectives of Irish Presidency: Statements. (12 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I wish to share my time with Senator Mooney.

Seanad: Development Co-operation Objectives of Irish Presidency: Statements. (12 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his grasp of this brief for which he has a natural aptitude. That is clear from his speech, which is one I will read again because I am not well informed as to the amount of work on overseas development aid being done on our behalf by the Minister of State. Perhaps we should become more aware of the contribution Ireland is making towards...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I too would like to raise the issue of the horrific picture of the beheading of Mr. Berg, which was broadcast on international channels. Can our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, or the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, raise this matter at EU level and draw attention to the sensitivity of the pictures and their impact on the public in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 May 2004)

Ann Ormonde: As spokesperson on European affairs, I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Government on how they conducted the ceremonies to celebrate European Union enlargement on 1 May. It was a great day to be Irish and for the Government. I am proud of how the Taoiseach and the Government conducted the ceremonies with superb panache. I ask that the House convey these congratulations to the Taoiseach, the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 Apr 2004)

Ann Ormonde: The Senator should withdraw that remark.

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (6 Apr 2004)

Ann Ormonde: Yes, and it holds true for everything in life. I wish the Presidency well in that aspect of the Lisbon Agenda. If we do not provide more and better jobs, achieve greater competitiveness and work towards harmonisation of our qualifications we will not be able to help those who need to be helped. Unless there is competitiveness we will not have the money to work on our social model. An...

Seanad: European Council: Statements. (6 Apr 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State. I congratulate him on his work in all areas relating to Ireland's Presidency and on his role in bringing the EU closer to the citizen. It is worthwhile this morning to discuss the Irish Presidency and where we are at. A review of the spring European Council is necessary because we need to relate to the public at large again. It is natural that the debate so...

Seanad: Order of Business. (31 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I too was saddened to hear that some of the 1 May accession celebrations may be cancelled. This is a pity. Will the Leader give us an update on the position when she has further information? Where matters stand on the Lisbon strategy is an issue which arose at the spring Council meeting. We are at the half way point of the strategy which covers the period 2000 to 2010. I understand that...

Seanad: Order of Business. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I support Senator O'Toole's call for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, to address the House on the new designer-type card and perhaps to indicate what information should be put on it. I would like the Leader to invite the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Roche, to update the House on EU Presidency activities and as regards the spring summit that will...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am delighted the Minister is here to listen to this debate. Is it any wonder the public and those in the Visitors Gallery are confused by the previous speaker? Nobody could understand a word he said during the debate.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I appreciate that. I am pleased the Minister has come to the House and listened to what we have to put up with day in and day out. Whenever we have good news to present, this is the kind of reaction we get from the other side of the House. This is great news. The Minister is bringing life and vibrancy back to rural Ireland. It is good news for those who live and work in rural Ireland and who...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: We brought it back. The bottom line is that if we had not made an effort to do that, we would not have a rural Ireland in ten years' time.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am a member of South Dublin County Council and have been a member of the General Council of County Councils for the past ten years. Like the Senator, I attended many conferences where debate took place. I remember being in Ennis 12 months ago when a member of Fine Gael sat beside me and a Labour Party member on my other side. They came out strongly and attacked An Taisce and I was delighted...

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I am concerned that I would get confused if I kept listening to the Senator.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: That is one thing that cannot be said about me; I am as clear as a bell. Let us look at the benefits we will get from the implementation of these guidelines. We will identify again with a parish, our grassroots and our schools. Many rural schools are unviable because of the declining rural population.

Seanad: Draft Guidelines on Rural Housing: Statements. (10 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: If the situation continued as it is, we would only have older people in rural Ireland, which would be an enormous burden on the health service. The benefits are enormous. This is great news and long may the Minister last to deliver on it. What I liked about these guidelines is that the Minister said there would be a shared view. He received submissions from the General Council of County...

Seanad: Higher Education: Motion. (3 Mar 2004)

Ann Ormonde: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, and I congratulate the Progressive Democrats on tabling this timely motion on education. The Lisbon Agenda sets out to improve competitiveness in Europe and good quality jobs are a priority, as the Taoiseach said at the spring Council meeting. In order to achieve this, we need to...