Results 81-100 of 1,158 for speaker:Fiona O'Malley

Seanad: National Housing Development Survey: Motion (10 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I realise we are running out of time. Senator Buttimer brought home with graphic accounts the human misery involved for people who have to conduct their lives in ghost estates. It is something on which we must focus. Safety is a major concern if one is in a difficult situation and one is forced out of one's home under those circumstances. People might decide that it is unfortunate to live...

Seanad: Effects of Recession on Mental Health: Statements (10 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I gave the Minister of State indulgence to allow him time to respond. I am sure Members will agree to ask the Leader to invite him to come again to the House.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and am glad to have the opportunity to discuss this issue. As I was listening to the debate, I wished I were a university panel Senator. A great luxury certainly attaches to the position. I then decided the only better position would be a Minister. I reflected further and concluded that it is not bad being a Taoiseach's nominee either....

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I was about to say it is a legitimate ambition. None the less, since becoming a Member of this House, I discovered how enjoyable it is. It is true to say the standard of debate and ability to interact in a debate are much better here. Wearing my Independent hat I must state-----

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: -----I lament the fact that the Government has tabled an amendment to the motion.

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I do not agree with every word of the motion but certainly agree with the feeling behind it. I listened to the Minister of State's speech. When the debate came to this side of the House, enthusiasm became progressively cooler. Senator Dearey was clearly uncomfortable in making his remarks. I will bite the bullet and say I am not supporting the Government amendment. I am going to support...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I concur with Senator Norris's point on levels of courtesy. It has come to a sorry pass that people are treated so discourteously. I read in one of the newspapers that a person intended to throw everyone from the door when the election was called. This is terrible. If people stand for office, they deserve a level of respect. What is the difference between a person who stood and was...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: It is one of the most critical matters we are facing. Everyone in this House has stood up to say there are far too many in management in the health service and that we need to streamline it. Contrary to what Senator Hannigan believes, we have a dynamic Minister. If any of us has quarter the opportunity she has had to serve this country, and if any of us does quarter of what she has done,...

Seanad: Order of Business (2 Nov 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: The Minister has decided to move swiftly on the question of the Croke Park agreement. While I am sure the Minister's schedule is tight, I am sure she has been negotiating with the unions behind the scenes on achieving change for many long months. Change is here at last. I ask the unions and employees to outline what the Croke Park agreement means to them and how it can deliver a modern,...

Seanad: Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister of State. I was not planning on speaking in this debate because I had spoken on a related subject last week and the previous week and thought there was only so much I could say. However, given what other speakers have said, I have been tempted to make a contribution. The situation is fluid with regard to our fiscal problems and, unfortunately, the deficit figures...

Seanad: Macro-Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Statements (28 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I must ask Senator Regan to conclude as his time has expired.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: There is a certain irony in the European Union voting a budget increase for itself last week when it is requiring every member state to reduce its budget. It is setting an appalling example. Could we have a debate on that issue? We do not get enough time in the Oireachtas to discuss such issues. We will impose a huge burden on the Irish people in the next budget. It is largely under the...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: -----and we have to deal with those problems. I listened attentively to Senator Twomey's speech because he spoke about the 1960s when Kerrygold was launched as an international brand. Now, it is well marketed and internationally recognisable as an Irish brand. It reminded me of the indomitable Irish spirit that can, for a small country, get out and market good products very well. As well...

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: The facts are the facts.

Seanad: Small and Medium Enterprises: Motion (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. I was amused listening to the previous speaker because we always lose sight of what this and previous Governments have achieved. He mentioned the Government having no credibility with the people. Not that long ago, complexions of this Government delivered jobs at a phenomenal rate. We have lost sight of things. Yes, there has been an...

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: The Labour Party has the luxury of not having to face up to the reality of the consequences of decisions it took. If we had all followed the course of action taken by the Labour Party - this is where I applaud Fine Gael - there would have been a collapse and the IMF would have been in the country by now. Deputy Gilmore and his Labour Party colleagues can surmise and reflect, with the benefit...

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: Perhaps that is why the Minister of State is so wise. I am suspicious of academics who live in ivory towers. They are great theorists, but we need a mixture of the theoretical and the practical.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I ask the Senator to conclude.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: The Senator's time has expired.

Seanad: Announcement on Banking by the Minister for Finance: Statements (20 Oct 2010)

Fiona O'Malley: I ask the Senator to conclude because his time has expired.