Results 1-20 of 1,338 for speaker:Kathleen O'Meara

Seanad: Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy. (12 Sep 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: On behalf of the Labour Party, and on my own behalf, I extend our sympathy to Fine Gael and, especially, to the family of David Molony on their sad loss. The last time I met David Molony was at the election count in Nenagh in May when we discussed the outcome of the election and the future of politics in north Tipperary. None of us could have guessed that future political life in the country...

Seanad: An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht, 2002: An Dara Céim. Twenty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 2002: Second Stage. (12 Sep 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome this debate even though we are all supporting the passage of the Nice treaty. It is unusual that both sides of the House are ad idem on a subject. This consensus is not present in the general population. We should not be under the impression that our well-informed views on the Nice treaty and its implications are also shared by the population at large. The same problem which was...

Seanad: Retirement of Superintendent of the Houses. (13 Sep 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: On behalf of the Labour group, I extend our thanks to the Superintendent, Éamon O'Donohoe. I wish him the very best in his retirement. He deserves a happy and peaceful one, considering the very high standard he set, to which other speakers referred, in his role as Superintendent of the Houses, or as "the Super" as I heard him referred to on several occasions. His record on the manner in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Sep 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Order of Business is agreed. However, I agree with other speakers that it is absolutely essential for the House to meet again at the earliest available opportunity. As my colleague, Senator Ryan, said yesterday, there is nothing to prevent the House meeting next week now that this session is up and running. Clearly, there are matters of urgent import for us to discuss. I refer in...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Sep 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: For the information of the House, we are a coherent group with a leader who is Senator Brendan Ryan.

Seanad: Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach. (13 Sep 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: The Labour Party is happy to support the nomination of Senator Paddy Burke for the position of Leas-Chathaoirleach. In working with Senator Burke, in the last Seanad in particular, I have always found him to be fair and honourable. I am sure that he will continue to exercise those qualities in the post of Leas-Chathaoirleach. On the Seanad trail in Connacht and other parts of the country, it...

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: In support of the comments made by my colleague in relation to the position of the Labour Party in the House—

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I ask the Cathaoirleach to clarify the basis on which he makes a decision. I do not question his—

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I do not for one moment question your power of discretion and you will agree that the Labour Party in this House in the past five years and during my time here has always co-operated with the Cathaoirleach. I simply ask you, therefore, to clarify—

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: On what basis is seniority being used in terms of the Cathaoirleach's discretion?

Seanad: Order of Business. (9 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I support the calls for a debate on Northern Ireland. We have had valuable debates on the issue at times of crisis before and I ask the Leader to convey to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Government that many in this House can make a valuable contribution, particularly people such as Senator Maurice Hayes who has a lot of experience. I also support calls for a full debate on the...

Seanad: Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion. (9 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second amendment No. 1 to this motion. I support Senator Tuffy's articulate comments and there is not much I can add to them. I hope our views will be taken on board and that our reasonable amendment will be accepted. I ask that the matter raised in the amendment be discussed by the sub-committee which is to be established by this House. I do not believe it to be an unreasonable suggestion.

Seanad: Address by President of the European Parliament. (10 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I too extend a warm welcome to the President, Mr. Cox, today and thank him for his very wide-ranging address on many of the issues that are being raised in the current debate. It is a debate which is long overdue. It is a fundamental examination of our role in the European Union, an appraisal of where we are within it and a fundamental question for us about our contribution to a future Union,...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (23 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I am proud to second the first Labour Party motion of this Seanad term. In bringing forward this debate on the health service we are, as my colleague has pointed out, attempting to raise the issue of accountability in relation to this important Government responsibility. In particular, I draw attention to the non-extension of the breast cancer screening programme to the remaining parts of the...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (23 Oct 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: Not entirely.

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I second Senator Ryan's amendment to the Order of Business seeking a debate on the interim report of the Flood tribunal. Given that a motion of the Seanad and Dáil established the Flood tribunal, it is extraordinary that we have not had an opportunity since the publication of this important report to debate its contents and note the fact that the issues arising are still matters of major...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Nov 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: In the context of the publication of the strategic rail review, it is extremely important that Senators have an input into the review through such a debate. This is an urgent matter. A recommendation by the board today may influence the outcome.

Seanad: Second Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments: Statements. (12 Nov 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this report – it is high time that we did so. I pay tribute to the work of Mr. Justice Feargus Flood and his team and wish the judges recently appointed to the tribunal well. The interim report sets out, in graphic detail, one of the most shameful episodes in Irish political life. It is an episode which one would like to say is over, but it is not given...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Hospital Services. (12 Nov 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this important issue, the interruption in the breast service at Nenagh General Hospital. I will outline the background to this issue to the Minister of State.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Hospital Services. (12 Nov 2002)

Kathleen O'Meara: No, I am shaking my head.