Results 16,641-16,660 of 21,260 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Section 9 provides a power of inquiry relating to the conduct of a Member of either House of the Oireachtas. I recall the public commentary and angst at the time of the referendum. There was a sense that committees could become Star Chambers or a facility for a witch hunt against a Member of either House. The scenario around the judgment in the case of Ivor Callely was very fresh in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: On the section itself, I wish to return to the issue of committees making findings of fact. When we initially looked at these matters and considered the Abbeylara judgment, that was one of the key concerns. Obviously, the failure of the referendum meant that additional powers required by the Oireachtas are not available. In that context, I ask the Minister to give some reassurance to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Non-Disclosure Provisions Under the Freedom of Information Act: Discussion with Information Commissioner (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I wish to make one final remark. Does Ms O'Reilly have a sense that the Department of Justice and Equality, the public administration, is moving towards the position she has outlined? I refer to the issue of culture.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Non-Disclosure Provisions Under the Freedom of Information Act: Discussion with Information Commissioner (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Cuirim fáilte roimh bheirt agaibh anseo inniu. I welcome our guests and it is great to have both before the committee. I wish to return to some of Ms O'Reilly's opening comments. She noted that by the end of 2009 only nine Departments had returned the reports as required under the FOI Act for the purposes of a review. To what does she attribute the delay by these Departments that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Non-Disclosure Provisions Under the Freedom of Information Act: Discussion with Information Commissioner (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I hold the view that even today the public administrative system has a cultural issue with disclosure and the provision of information. I have a sense that it is overly protective and secretive. Ms O'Reilly, interestingly, instanced the assessments and reports on schools and crèches which were amenable under FOI legislation which should have been in the public domain, yet there has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Non-Disclosure Provisions Under the Freedom of Information Act: Discussion with Information Commissioner (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I thank Ms O'Reilly for that response. I would like to raise a number of individual issues with her, but I know that the Cathaoirleach will not indulge me to that extent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Non-Disclosure Provisions Under the Freedom of Information Act: Discussion with Information Commissioner (5 Jun 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Therefore, I will zero in on the Department of Justice and Equality. On page 41 of her report the Information Commissioner disagrees with the Minister in two areas, namely, the Refugee Act and the Employment Equality Act. I raise the subject of justice most particularly because it is one on which the Information Commissioner has spoken previously. In particular, in respect of immigration,...

Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I agree, particularly regarding the EU-Israel aviation agreement. We should not be party to such an agreement, as it rewards Israel despite that country's continual flouting of international law and its ongoing blockade of Gaza. In 2001, the Israelis destroyed Yasser Arafat International Airport in Gaza. Run by the Palestinian Authority, it was opened in 1998, then bombed by the Israeli...

Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: No, it should be debated in the Chamber.

Order of Business (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: It should be discussed in the Chamber.

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: This is not a matter of a political football but one of accountability, good governance and setting the minds of parents at ease. Rather than listening to the same old story, parents must hear a genuine and urgent commitment to ensure quality of care for children. My question on JobBridge was not framed in the past tense. I am asking the Tánaiste about positions that are being...

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: JobBridge positions should not be approved for any child care facility.

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: In that case, children in other child care facilities can have yellow pack care.

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: As the Tánaiste noted, the images shown on the "Prime Time" exposé were unacceptable and people across the board have expressed deep shock. The reality, however, is that we have been here before. This is not the first occasion on which maltreatment in crèche facilities has come to light. Six or seven years ago serious issues were identified and since 2008 problems with under...

Leaders' Questions (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Yesterday, the Taoiseach said that the brand image of child care was of the highest standard. I am not sure what he meant by "brand image" but he is part of the same Government that is advertising on its JobBridge website positions for child care workers in organisations, including an advertisement from Giraffe child care, one of the brands associated with this scandal, seeking interns with...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (30 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: 13. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht céard iad na himpleachtaí a mheasann sé a bheidh ann mar thoradh ar an múnla nua maoinithe atá curtha os comhair na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas do líon agus do chaighdeán na seirbhísí do phobal na Gaeilge agus do chúrsaí fostaíochta d’fhostaithe sna heagrais...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: So that is why it is there.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Is that not a recipe for duress?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: I was talking about clerical officers on €32,000 per annum.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (29 May 2013)

Mary Lou McDonald: Nobody is saying that clerical officers on €32,000 should take a hit.