Results 1,901-1,920 of 1,983 for speaker:Máire Devine

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector: Early Childhood Ireland (19 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I thank the witnesses for coming in. Ireland has the highest birth rate in Europe and has done for decades. However, conversely we have the worst possible child-care arrangements. We broadly welcome this engagement and I said so in the Seanad yesterday. It is a kick-start. Money has been allocated for the recruitment of the social care staff. Where will those staff come from? Will...

Seanad: Children and Youth Affairs: Statements (18 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I appreciate the Minister coming to the Seanad and taking the time to listen to the concerns and observations we have, as well as the positivity we have for the Minister's brief and for the children of Ireland. I would like to provide a context for the Ireland children are growing up in today. In the days before the announcement of the budget, I attended a briefing by the economic think...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I wish to share time equally with Senator Warfield.

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I am uncertain whether it is positive or wise to introduce the "ticketgate" GAA saga when we are trying to show that the Seanad is relevant. I am not sure that helps in terms of the optics. Sinn Féin will be supporting this Bill on Seanad reform. We campaigned in the referendum in 2013 for it to be abolished, but the people made their decision and we respect that. Why, three years...

Seanad: Rent Certainty (No. 2) Bill 2016: Second Stage (12 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Well done.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Hear, hear.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I propose extending the time allowed for the debate on the budget at 5 p.m. to three hours. It seems this House gets undermined a good deal. We have two hours, yet there are hours for it in the Dáil. I would like the Leader to accept that proposal.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Yes, I am formally proposing it.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I found the budget quite bare and sketchy. I was looking at health in particular. The figure of €35 billion is being talked about. We know that this has been promised year after year. Even last April, they attempted to take it back. The cheque has never actually been lodged in the bank account. I would like to delve a little into the health aspect of the budget. It is world...

Seanad: Budget 2017: Statements (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: No, it is not. Senator Buttimer will not get away with that anymore.

Seanad: Budget 2017: Statements (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Is that what the Senator is waiting for?

Seanad: Budget 2017: Statements (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: The Leader of the House blamed Sinn Féin for claiming that we live in Dickensian conditions in this country. He needs to open his eyes because such conditions exist for many such as the homeless and people awaiting housing. People with a disability have been given an insulting extra €5 per week even though there are greater mobility costs for them. Senator Dolan is more able...

Seanad: Budget 2017: Statements (11 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: And practising barristers.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Last night Sinn Féin tabled a motion in the Dáil seeking all-party support for the provision of 24/7 mental crisis intervention services without delay. This issue is not about party political lines and is certainly not an issue for scoring political points. Our families and communities cannot wait for this service any longer. We have spoken and spoken and spoken ad nauseamon this...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I am speaking on it today in the Seanad to ask colleagues to talk to their friends and other politicians and to urge them to vote this afternoon. This is about mental health services and is really relevant. We have been banging on about it for a long time, some ten years. Over 70% of A Vision for Change has not been implemented.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: The Fianna Fáil amendment mentions a seven-day week in two years but does not commit to a 24/7 service. The timeline for seven-day services is far too long and the non-committal of Government is deeply worrying. Members of this House and the Dáil should not stand back and allow this to continue. Our citizens are dying and are crying and begging for help. I welcome the Green...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Fascists.

Seanad: Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement: Motion (5 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: Shame on you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Operations of Oberstown Children Detention Centre (5 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I thank the witnesses for coming along. I was thinking about staff, the culture and staff cohesion. Coming from a background working in acute psychiatry, I note that challenging behaviour is always a difficult one. Oberstown has it every day. The integration of the three units has posed some staff difficulties. Integration of the staff must be at the core of the culture Oberstown is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Operations of Oberstown Children Detention Centre (5 Oct 2016)

Máire Devine: I would like an update on the regulatory body for the social care workers that I had referred to previously.