Results 101-120 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage. (18 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am not re-opening the Second Stage debate, but a number of people on both sides of the House have been using the term "genuine asylum seekers". I simply wanted to say that it is a problematic term. It is better to use the general term "asylum seekers". We must be aware of our responsibilities concerning asylum seekers. As regards Senator Mansergh's comments, it is often a fact of life that...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to debate this important Bill. Before we leave the amendment which was debated extensively last night, I wish to make a final comment. The amendment seeks to protect asylum seekers attempting to enter the country and is designed to ensure they are able to do so by preventing insurmountable barriers being put in their way. As it stands, the...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: Amendment No. 8 seeks to add the words "unless a non-national has a reasonable excuse for failure to comply with this paragraph, proof of which shall lie on the defendants". This is an important amendment as well which would provide further protection for asylum seekers and those fleeing persecution in terms of documentation, in particular. Going beyond asylum seekers and non-nationals...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: As Senator Tuffy said, we have no problem with the Government amendments Nos. 11 and 21, and we thank the Minister of State for those. Regarding the Minister of State's reply to the points about amendment No. 7, these amendments are put down for serious debate and I hope the Minister of State takes them seriously. His remarks echoed a statement the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law...

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I was not going to speak because, like you, Acting Chairman, I am anxious to move on. Did Senator Walsh listen to the debate last night? Did he listen to what we have said this morning? Would he even listen to Senator Terry? The intention of these amendments is clear. They are to protect those fleeing persecution in need of asylum and to ensure that our responsibilities are upheld in that regard.

Seanad: Immigration Bill, 2002: Committee Stage (Resumed). (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, constantly reminded us last night that all other EU member states had carrier liability legislation which underlined the necessity for us to have a similar framework. Be that as it may, he has not outlined the effect or non-effect of carrier liability legislation throughout Europe. Has it prevented illegals coming into the...

Seanad: Tipperary Plant Closure. (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I raise the issue of the announcement that the Miza, formerly Antigen, pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Roscrea, County Tipperary, is to close, with a substantial loss of employment for the town. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, will be familiar with the situation. Two specific issues arise from this, and I thank an Leas-Chathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise them....

Seanad: Tipperary Plant Closure. (19 Dec 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and commend the Department on its prompt response to this issue.

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Jan 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague, Senator Ryan, which relates to the need for a debate on the use of Shannon Airport by US troops as part of the military build-up in the Middle East.

Seanad: Order of Business. (30 Jan 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I also support the call for an early debate on Iraq and, in particular, Ireland's position on the unfolding and frightening situation in the Middle East. I hope it does not come down to a question of whether we are pro or anti-American. It should not come down to that, it should come down to an issue of how Ireland, as a sovereign state, behaves in terms of its foreign policy and the view it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: Will the Leader ask the Government to clarify the position of asylum seekers in relation to the social partnership talks, which appear to be in some difficulty? Are asylum seekers to be excluded from the ambit of social partnership? If so, we should be very concerned. We in this House should have a chance to give our views on the matter. Last week I asked the Leader about the strategic rail...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister and commend him on first bringing this legislation to the Seanad. As Senator Dardis pointed out, quite a record has been established of allowing Senators to have the first say on environmental legislation, which I welcome. There is much to be welcomed in this legislation and I look forward to an in-depth examination of it in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, it provides...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (5 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I agree. We need to tackle our waste management problems in a more reasonable manner. The fact that litter is having detrimental effects on tourism has been mentioned, but pollution is also damaging that industry. One only need look at Lough Derg, which has been unsuitable for fishing for an unacceptably long number of years. While attempts are being made to restock the lake, serious problems...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Disabled Person's Grant. (5 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the Minister to the House to discuss the operation of the physically disabled person's grant. I refer specifically to the North Tipperary County Council area, which is the area with which I am familiar, and what has happened to the grant in that county in recent times. After being warned as part of our Estimates discussion in December, at the January meeting of the county council we...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I realise we had a useful debate on the situation in Iraq last week, but there are media reports this morning of a significant shift in Government policy in that we would abandon our United Nations commitments and unilaterally declare support for the United States action against Iraq. That is a significant move in terms of our foreign policy and one which cannot go without debate in this House.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I apologise to the Cathaoirleach, I cannot hear him over the noise.

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I make the request in light of the significant shift in Government policy. Will the Leader ask the Minister for Health and Children to come before the House to explain to Members and, in particular, to the women of Ireland the reason he has failed to extend the BreastCheck national breast screening programme? He promised last year that it would be extended nationally by the end of 2002. I...

Seanad: Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Bill 2002: Committee Stage. (12 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: I think the amendment has been fully debated at this stage. Question, "That the words proposed to be deleted stand," put and declared carried. Amendment declared lost. Question proposed: "That section 8 stand part of the Bill."

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Order of Business is agreed. Will the Leader ask the relevant Minister provide more detail about the group comprising Government, trade union and employer representatives that has been established to look at the causes of inflation and strategies to combat it? In light of widespread concern about the pace of inflation, overpricing and profiteering, Members would be interested in studying...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 Feb 2003)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Order of Business is agreed. I agree with Senator O'Toole that there appears to be confusion on the issue of neutrality and that is mirrored by the general confusion in Government on foreign policy. Only weeks ago, the Minister for Defence gave his, possibly personal, opinion that Ireland is no longer, if it ever was, neutral. We stand at a crossroads with regard to foreign policy and we...