Results 1-20 of 64 for speaker:Liz O'Donnell

Order of Business. (27 Jan 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: For many years, legislation has been promised to regulate the charity sector. In light of recent events, the unprecedented response by the public to the Asian tsunami appeal, and the growing expansion of the budget in this area, there is a need for this legislation to be fast-tracked. It is non-controversial and all sides of the House would welcome it.

Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words in the time available. There has been a degree of unwarranted criticism of the Tánaiste and the Government's handling of this issue. We should be grateful that the Tánaiste, in characteristic form, took upon herself the responsibility of seeking clarity on the issue. When the matter was brought to her attention, she immediately sought clarity and...

Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: This is true in the case of the Department of Agriculture and Food in regard to the establishment of the beef tribunal. It was stated in the beef tribunal report that had questions in the Dáil to the relevant Ministers and Departments been properly replied to, there would have been no cause for the tribunal.

Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: Similarly, I sat here for 25 debates on the hepatitis C issue in which case Ministers were misled by misleading information given to them by Departments.

Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: In this case, successive Ministers were kept in the dark about the questions around the justifiability of these deductions. The Tánaiste must be commended for seeking clarity on this issue, for being straightforward in characteristic fashion and for being honest with the House in so far as she was made aware of the truth of the situation. In her speech tonight, she has indicated that she was...

Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (Resumed). (2 Mar 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: In the short time available I wish to support the motion and make a few observations. In deploring the murder of Robert McCartney by members of the IRA and others, and commending his family's remarkable courage in demanding justice, it is worth remembering there are 2,000 other unresolved murders arising from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. What makes this murder so significant politically...

Death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II: Motion. (12 Apr 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these expressions of sorrow and appreciation on the death of Pope John Paul II. As a champion and advocate of human rights and human dignity for the duration of his papacy, Pope John Paul II sought and achieved radical change throughout the world, including in some of the most difficult places and especially in his beloved Poland, throughout...

Aer Lingus: Motion (Resumed). (25 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this debate on the future of Aer Lingus. The Government amendment appropriately notes the airline's contribution to the development of tourism and the wider economy and this has never been questioned. I join other Deputies to commend that contribution. My colleague, Deputy Grealish, has already spoken on the specifics of the aviation...

Aer Lingus: Motion (Resumed). (25 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: ——that turned this country into an economic basket case. This is not my assessment but the assessment of renowned economists——

Aer Lingus: Motion (Resumed). (25 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: I will develop this point if I am allowed. The motion before the House tabled by Sinn Féin calls for the status quo for Aer Lingus, State ownership, same conditions and practices. This will mean the same problems, unfortunately. It is remarkable that Sinn Féin, Labour and the Greens tried to pass off all their policies as if they are in the best interests of the company and to a lesser...

Aer Lingus: Motion (Resumed). (25 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: ——to address the needs of the company and the needs of the consumer. Both are best served if Aer Lingus is able to compete aggressively and grow both on the short-haul and long-haul routes.

Aer Lingus: Motion (Resumed). (25 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: Rather than repeat the failed policy of the past as suggested by this Opposition motion——

Aer Lingus: Motion (Resumed). (25 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: ——this Government has provided the means by which Aer Lingus can now grow its business and ensure financial stability. That is sound and responsible Government, which will no doubt be recognised by the public for being just that.

Written Answers — Accident and Emergency Services: Accident and Emergency Services (31 May 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: Question 174: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to improve hospitals, management and processes in order to tackle accident and emergency overcrowding. [18237/05]

Morris Tribunal: Statements. (17 Jun 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: I welcome the opportunity to comment on the second report of the Morris tribunal, which, since its publication on 1 June, has sparked shock, outrage and concern among our citizens and in this House. Incidentally, hard copies only arrived on Deputies' desks this morning. While reaction to the report's content has been diverse, one unanimous element has been the praise for its thoroughness. I...

Morris Tribunal: Statements. (17 Jun 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: The Deputies took the right course. They raised the claims with the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform initially and ultimately tabled a motion in the House, and continued to challenge when stonewalled by inadequate responses from the Executive. The tribunal was set up to establish facts and, as Deputy Howlin bemoaned this morning, after six years the Deputies and those who...

Morris Tribunal: Statements. (17 Jun 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: Ministers also need to be more robust and courageous with their own Departments when parliamentary questions are tabled. As a Minister of State I was always careful when replying to parliamentary questions. We must remember that as Ministers and Ministers of State we represent the people and not the Department. The State is not always virtuous. It has at times, through its agencies, acted...

Morris Tribunal: Statements. (17 Jun 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: This wilful disconnect between Garda management and a democratically elected Minister and an Attorney General who was advising him was and is unacceptable.

Morris Tribunal: Statements. (17 Jun 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: The Minister has indicated that he was very unhappy with this and we have more to hear about this aspect of the case. The depressing fact is that all the honourable values we normally associate with the Garda Síochána have been besmirched by these events. A huge volume of evidence was heard by Mr. Justice Morris and the report contains detailed analysis, conclusions and recommendations. It...

G8 Summit and Overseas Development Aid: Motion (Resumed). (29 Jun 2005)

Liz O'Donnell: I wish to share time with Deputy Carey. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this timely debate. I note the Minister's lengthy, comprehensive and informative contribution to the House last night in which he addressed the motion and dealt with all of the cross-cutting issues which affect the global poor. I fully recognise the comprehensive nature of the motion tabled by the Green Party...