Results 12,441-12,460 of 21,179 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald
- Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: We routinely bring forward information to the statutory authorities as a matter of course. A proposition was made by the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, to An Taoiseach last November to create a process, a mechanism and a climate in which those who suffered abuse can come forward on the basis of a North-South intervention between the Government here in Dublin and the Executive...
- Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: It is now essential that we create that mechanism and allow people the opportunity to come forward and to access the justice system and also the considerable supports a survivor of sexual violence, rape or abuse requires. My question to the Minister is whether the Labour Party supports that initiative. Will this Government now work with the Northern Executive to create that mechanism to...
- An Bille um an gCeathrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Votáil Uachtaráin) 2014: An Dara Céim [Private Members] - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Voting) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Tá áthas orm nach bhfuil an Rialtas in aghaidh an Bhille seo. I am very pleased that the Government is not opposing this Bill. That is positive, as is the launch of the diaspora policy to which the Minister of State referred. If I am correct, this is the first concrete, positive response from the Government in respect of the decision of the Constitutional Convention. We have...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Fáilte roimh, Ms Buckley. I want to ask about two assertions she makes in her document. She did not get to mention them when speaking but we have them here in the written format. The first observation was that the operators paid a high price for the national lottery and that they would be anxious to get a return on their investment. We will agree that is fair enough from their point...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: I understand that. That was wise from Ms Buckley's point of view but when I look at the feedback she got from her interaction with her membership - those she represents - it seems they may suspect that return on the investment is being pursued through shoddy approaches to technical solutions or customer supports systems that are not adequate, to use her diplomatic language. I do not want to...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Ms Buckley also says it is important that they do not pursue a return on their investment through technical solutions or customer support systems that are not adequate. We will say that to them as and when we see them. I was intrigued by a second point. Ms Buckley states that the national lottery is not a franchise to be squeezed by a private operator for maximum return without regard...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Tell me about them.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Ms Buckley would consider that squeezing the-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: I have one question for Mr. Jennings. He stated in his presentation that he acknowledges that we want to consider systemic problems in the current set-up but respectively suggests that we do nothing that would further damage the level of trust the public has in the product designed to promote good causes and bring a little bit of joy into our lives. Hallelujah to that, but what does Mr....
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: What does Mr. Jennings believe are the component parts of that trust? Will he define that trust for me?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Before the witnesses appeared before the committee, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, CSNA, and the Retail Grocery Dairy and Allied Trades Association, RGDATA, came in. They are not very happy. The witnesses are aware of this. They feel that the level of communication and customer service the national lottery provides is not up to scratch. They also told us the witnesses have...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: When can retailers expect to have the ticket checkers?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: They will be relieved to hear that. Are there plans to have more numbers in the games or raise prices?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: We can come to that in a moment. Is there any proposal for additional numbers or increased prices?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: May I take it the answer to both of those questions is "Yes, but not just at the minute"?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Do you have a current plan, or one within the next six or eight months, to introduce additional numbers or raise prices? That is really what retailers want to know. Is that imminent?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: We know that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: Is there a proposal with the board as we speak for more numbers or increased prices?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: I know that, but I did not ask about it. Is there anything with the board that involves more numbers or increased prices?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functioning of National Lottery: Discussion (11 Mar 2015)
Mary Lou McDonald: If that is the case, just tell me, "No, there is no proposal for more numbers or increased prices."