Results 1,181-1,200 of 1,301 for speaker:Pauline O'Reilly

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank everyone for their contributions. It is lovely to hear contributions from across the genders on International Women's Day. It is important and I join with my colleagues in congratulating Sinead Guckian. It is a wonderful piece of art. Not only does it remind us of the airbrushing but it also reminds us of how few pictures of women there are on these walls. We need to change that....

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Mar 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I wish to raise the issue of religious discrimination in our education system and ask for the Minister for Education to provide the House with an update on what the Government intends to do to address it. Article 44.2.4° of the Constitution states "Legislation providing State aid for schools shall not discriminate between schools under the management of different religious...

Seanad: Local Government (Use of CCTV in Prosecution of Offences) Bill 2021: Second Stage (5 Mar 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Labour Party for bringing this Bill forward. Senator Boylan brings numerous proposals here which she would like to see happen. The alternative budget for 2021 which Sinn Féin produced did not even mention the word "climate" in it and only mentioned the word "biodiversity" in reference to the title of our Minister of State, Senator Hackett. I want to make that point first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Impact of Covid-19 on Reopening of Schools and State Examinations: Update (2 Mar 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: My thanks to the Cathaoirleach, the Minister and the Minister of State for joining us again today. I congratulate all school staff and all those across all schools on ensuring we can have safe reopening of schools and giving some clarity around the leaving certificate. I am keen to mention the Irish Second-Level Students Union, ISSU, and the amount of work those involved have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Impact of Covid-19 on Reopening of Schools and State Examinations: Update (2 Mar 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: Deputy Farrell said he had to leave. Senator Dolan and I will speak next. I did not get a chance to respond to the Minister of State on a couple of issues relating to mainstream schools. We have all had much correspondence regarding the fact that many may have to wait for a number of weeks. First, is she willing to look at an alternative where they may come in earlier if public health...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (26 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I wish Senator Norris all the best. It is great to hear that the operations he has gone through over the past month have been successful. I wish him a speedy recovery. I agree with Senator Sherlock that it is important that we use proper names when talking about variants. We all know what they are and we do not want to label people, so that is important. What I want to talk about...

Seanad: Covid-19 (Transport): Statements (26 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. It is good to see her in the Chair and I welcome the Minister. It is probably no exaggeration to say it has been a frightening and scary time for all of us in the country. The Health (Amendment) Bill 2021 on quarantining was before the Dáil this week and it is due before this House on Monday. While that is a necessary step,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonising Transport: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the contributors today. I thank also colleagues whose questions and contributions will probably inform what I am about to ask. Mr. Murphy is advocating for a complete switch from internal combustion engines to EVs. The question has been asked a little bit by Deputy Whitmore, but to what extent does Mr. Murphy think it gets us off the hook when we are talking about the avoid part of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Decarbonising Transport: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: My question was around freight as it relates to rail and reusing existing rail lines. We may not be able to go full-throttle with putting in new rail lines but where we already have rail lines, such as the western rail corridor, should we be looking at recommissioning them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of the Technological Universities: Discussion (23 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for joining us again today. It is very much appreciated. Much of the conversation has been about the south east, which is correct given what is happening there at the moment. There is much concern in that regard and it has been outlined very well by the previous speakers. When we met with THEA and other representatives last week we heard that...

Seanad: Councillors' Pay: Motion (22 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Minister of State and the Independent Senators for bringing this matter forward. At the outset, it is not correct to say that any of us - in any party or non-party - have been silent on this issue. As Senator Moynihan has outlined, having been on local authorities most of us are deeply aware of this issue and understand the amount of work that goes into...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála (19 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I thank the Minister of State for joining us today.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I also wish to bring up the issue raised by Senator Chambers on the retreat of Ulster Bank. It was a devastating morning for the 2,800 staff employed by the bank to wake up and hear that on the news. It is really interesting is that NatWest, unexpectedly, reported pre-tax profits in the UK of £64 million. We are seeing a banking system in Ireland that is at the whim of profit. Many...

Seanad: Student Nurses (Pay) Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: The Minister is very welcome. It is great to have him in the House to discuss such an important issue. I thank Senator Hoey for bringing this issue to the floor of the House, as she has done many times. On behalf of the Green Party, I am delighted to support the Bill and all of the work she has done on this issue. A crucial matter in this context is that the INMO has stated that nurses...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I am in the precincts of Leinster House. I thank everyone for attending. It is great to see the regional spread of the delegation. It is critical that the institutions make provision in this regard, as outlined very well by Dr. Ryan. I met Mr. Hannigan previously. It is very clear from all the evidence I have seen that the witnesses' institutions are continuing to serve their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Future Expansion of Technological Universities: Discussion (16 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: A couple of comments were made about Athena SWAN. I cannot remember whether Dr. Mulcahy or Professor Cusack mentioned it. It is a blunt instrument. Having served on a governing authority, I believe that despite everything put in place, it really comes down to the individual institution and the work it does. I offer my encouragement. We are keeping an eye on all this, and we are aware...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Engagement with Chairperson Designate of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (9 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I congratulate Mr. Byrne on his appointment and thank him for joining us. When it comes to energy, we know many of the solutions. Going back to one of the first comments, it is about implementing them and the roll-out. When we look at other areas when it comes to climate, it is more difficult to know what the solutions are. As a public representative, I have been contacted by people who,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (8 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I wish to use the brief time I have to discuss the issue raised by Senator Sherlock in respect of parental leave. I know she asked for clarity from the Minister. I hope to be able to afford her clarity. It is absolutely the case that the legislation will be retrospective. Everyone who has had a child since November 2019 will be entitled to the five weeks' leave. In spite of the length of...

Seanad: Free Provision of Period Products Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Feb 2021)

Pauline O'Reilly: I am not sure I want to go on after Senator Moynihan's contribution. I thank the Senators and commend them on putting forward Bills on this matter, along with all the people who have done work for a long time on this. I also mention everybody who has been experiencing periods all their lives and knows first-hand these difficulties. I know many, like me, had to approach strangers for help...